Sourcing Manager, Mechanical (Starlink)

SpaceX; Bastrop (TX); On-site; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

SpaceX is looking for a Sourcing Manager in Bastrop, Texas, to support mechanical commodities in manufacturing processes for Starlink. The role involves managing supplier relationships, developing sourcing strategies, and optimizing costs, requiring a Bachelor's degree and 5+ years of relevant experience. Candidates should have strong negotiation skills and the ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced environment. Flexibility for travel and extended hours is essential.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in engineering, purchasing, or supply chain management.
• Required knowledge in contract negotiation and material cost control.
• Experience in negotiating contracts and sourcing global suppliers is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage the supply base for solar and battery sourcing.
• Provide weekly team status reporting and manage risks.
• Utilize negotiations to maximize value and manage costs.

Skills

Negotiation skills

Supply chain management

Data analytics

Communication skills

Detail-oriented

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Job description

SpaceX was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is out exploring the stars is fundamentally more exciting than one where we are not. Today SpaceX is actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal of enabling human life on Mars.

SOURCING MANAGER, MECHANICAL (STARLINK)

The SpaceX Supply Chain Department is a critical player in our operations. To capitalize on our technical and market success, our team will execute large-scale projects that will define the bottom line for the company. The functions within the department include procurement, planning and fulfillment, supplier development and quality, logistics, and inventory. As a Sourcing Manager in Bastrop, you will support the mechanical commodities used to manufacture the Starlink User Terminals and Ground Stations in one of the most vertically integrated manufacturing facilities in existence.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage the supply base to support sourcing for the solar and battery space, supplementing the Starlink user terminals and ground stations
• Provide weekly team status reporting, elevate to management when necessary
• Train and mentor, working to ensure that the team is continuously improving
• Work directly with key suppliers to develop and implement sourcing and cost management strategies that support existing platforms and new product development
• Work directly with key internal stakeholders to develop and implement sourcing and cost management strategies that support capital purchases and production consumables
• Understand the technical aspects of production equipment to identify opportunities for cost, space, and process optimization and use data analytics to identify and analyze process related opportunities
• Utilize negotiations to maximize value, cost savings and priority in terms of delivery for SpaceX while lowering risk; manage costs to ensure alignment with program budgets
• Build and own overall project budgets, compile funding requests, and generate capitalization plan based on project timeline focusing on TCO of the categories managed
• Conduct research, perform benchmarking, and gather market analysis for assigned categories
• Communicate overall equipment status to the management team including schedules, risks and mitigation actions and respond quickly to changes to the overall goals, schedule, and architecture
• Create sourcing strategies to reduce risk, enable continuous cost reduction and align with company strategy on payment terms, cash targets, on time delivery and cost savings
• Build genuine relationships both internally and externally and drive cross-functional teams to achieve consensus
• Present value propositions to SpaceX executives, including those related to contract award, cost reviews, cost reduction strategies and critical supply issues

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and 5+ years of experience working in one or more of the following; or 9+ years of experience working in one or more of the following:
  • Engineering
  • Purchasing
  • Contract negotiation
  • Material or production planning
  • Operations or supply chain management
  • Material cost control
  • Master production scheduling
  • Capital equipment sourcing

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Experience directly negotiating contracts and sourcing global suppliers
• Experience with sourcing from a global supply base, and familiarity interfacing in-person with suppliers around the world
• Experience within the solar and/or battery field
• Ability to prioritize appropriately to meet internal customer and company needs
• Effective written and verbal communications skills, with strong ability to communicate to all levels of internal personnel
• Detail‑oriented, self‑motivated and able to respond quickly to a fast-moving and ever‑changing environment
• Ability to conduct all activities with integrity and urgency

Additional Requirements

• Able to travel for short and extended trips as needed - up to 30% work week travel may be required, including international travel
• Must be able to work flexible and extended hours and on weekends as needed
• This position is based in Bastrop, TX and requires being onsite

ITAR Requirements

• To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.

SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with SpaceX is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.

Applicants wishing to view a copy of SpaceX’s affirmative action plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to [e-mail].