Sourcing Manager, Mechanical (Starshield)

United States Digital Space LLC

Hawthorne (CA)

On-site

USD 120,000 - 170,000

Full time

8 days ago

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Benefits offered by this job

Long-term incentives

Stock awards

Discretionary bonuses

Employee stock purchase plan

Medical coverage

Vision coverage

Dental coverage

401(k) plan

Disability insurance

Life insurance

Paid parental leave

Paid holidays

Job summary

Starshield is seeking a Sourcing Manager, Mechanical to own demand planning and strategic sourcing for hardware supporting next-generation satellite production. You will drive end-to-end supply chain execution, balancing cost, quality, and lead times while scaling manufacturing capacity.

This role requires managing supplier relationships, RFx activities, and cost-saving initiatives across prototype to mass production, ensuring on-time, on-spec components for Starshield programs.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree and 5+ years in engineering, purchasing, contracts, or supply chain.
7+ years in procurement, manufacturing, or related supply chain disciplines.
Active TS/SCI clearance preferred.

Responsibilities

Develop sourcing and cost-management strategies with key suppliers.
Manage RFx packages and supplier performance analytics.
Own end-to-end supply chain from sourcing to delivery tracking.
Collaborate with engineering and production for NPIs and design changes.
Ensure compliance with government and commercial contracts.

Skills

Engineering

Purchasing

Contract negotiation

Material planning

Operations planning

Material cost control

Master production scheduling

Top Secret clearance

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Job description

the company 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 the company is actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal ofenabling human life on Mars.

SOURCING MANAGER, MECHANICAL (STARSHIELD)

Starshield leverages the company's Starlink technology and launch capability to support national security efforts. While Starlink is designed for consumer and commercial use, Starshield is designed for government use, with an initial focus on three areas: Earth observation, communications, and hosted payloads. Designed to meet diverse mission requirements, Starshield satellites are capable of integrating a wide variety of payloads, offering unique versatility to users. With the proven ability to iterate rapidly, the company's unique full-stack approach in developing end-to-end systems, from launch vehicles to user terminals, enables the deployment of capabilities at scale with unprecedented speed. Starshield's proliferated low-Earth orbit architecture provides inherent resiliency and constant connectivity to on-orbit assets, while the company's proven rapid launch capability provides expedient and economical access to space.

As a member of the Starshield Supply Chain team, you will own the demand planning and strategic sourcing that power the hardware for the company’s next-generation satellite constellation. You’ll drive end-to-end supply chain execution for critical components used both on the satellites and in their production, balancing aggressive cost, quality, and lead-time targets while scaling production at unprecedented rates. At the company we don’t just manage suppliers; we actively shape them, pushing the industry to higher standards of performance and reliability. Our department spans procurement, planning & fulfillment, supplier development & quality, logistics, and inventory. In this role you will operate at the center of that ecosystem, enabling the high-volume satellite factory of the future.

We move fast. If you thrive in a high-velocity environment and want your work on projects that directly impact the national security of the United States, this is your opportunity.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Work directly with key suppliers to develop and implement sourcing and cost management strategies that support existing platforms and new product development

Act as the supplier interface for all RFIs, RFPs and RFQs

Manage cost aggressively to ensure adherence to project-specific budgets and forecasts

Develop should-cost models for competitive cost analysis

Ensure that suppliers are prepared to support all prototype builds with appropriate equipment and material to ensure successful product development, ramp up and mass production

Drive internal and external process improvements to enhance efficiency and implement cost-saving programs with suppliers

Develop, manage, and maintain strong supplier partnerships

Implement analytical data management tools to manage supplier performance

Ensure all purchased parts are clear to build for all Starshield programs

Collaboratively work with engineering and production to identify a reliable supply base to support all prototype builds, design changes and production builds.

Ownerships of end-to-end supply chain responsibilities from sourcing strategies, vendor selection, vendor capacity, contract negotiation, part procurement, delivery tracking, budget planning and cross-functional communication.

Ensure compliance with government and commercial contracts and assist mission managers with contract performance

Conduct sourcing analysis to formulate a sourcing plan that includes strategic direction, supply roadmaps, price trends, market and industry position, and risk assessment

Prepare, issue, and analyze RFx packages, ensuring all commercial terms are agreed upon and documented, using scalable processes for vendor selection, pricing analysis, risk assessment, and decision metrics for one-time and ongoing project requirements

Survey supplier facilities and accurately assess technical capability, equipment, and capacity for rapid deployment in support of new product development and production

Be the Starshield “Go to” supply chain resource for engineering and manufacturing stakeholders and determine and execute sourcing strategies to deliver the best value suppliers, NPI Sourcing Plans, make vs. buy analysis, and lead time optimization to the business

Participate in design reviews, change control meetings, and other technical discussions with Engineering partners; participate in DFM review with Engineering and prospective suppliers and drive decisions from a cost and source reliability perspective

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

Bachelor’s degree and 5+ years of experience working in one or more of the following; OR 7+ 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

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

6+ years of experience in procurement, manufacturing, or related supply chain disciplines

Experience with mechanical and/or special process manufacturers and suppliers

Experience in managing outsourcing contract manufacturing partners

Proven track record of taking ownership, successful NPI sourcing strategy development and execution in a fast-paced environment

Technical procurement, product development, NPI, manufacturing, and negotiating with diverse supply base in electronics, mechanicals, and contract manufacturers.

Exceptional analytical, problem solving, and organizational skills

Effective written, verbal, and presentation communication skills

Detail-oriented, self-motivated, and able to respond quickly to a fast-moving and ever-changing environment

Active Top Secret or TS/SCI clearance

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

May need to work irregular hours with global suppliers in different time zones

Able to travel for short and extended trips as needed

Willingness to work extended hours and/or weekends when needed

This position is based in Hawthorne, CA and requires being onsite - remote work not considered

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Pay Range:Level 3: $120,000.00 - $170,000.00

Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.