Sourcing Specialist, Mechanical & Optical Commodities (Starlink)

United States Digital Space LLC; Redmond (WA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Medical/dental/vision coverage

401(k) retirement plan

Job summary

United States Digital Space LLC in Redmond, WA is seeking a Sourcing Specialist for mechanical and optical commodities used on Starlink satellites. You will manage domestic and international supply bases, work with key suppliers on sourcing strategies, and ensure supply continuity for rapidly scaling programs.

The role requires strong procurement experience, NPI/MP familiarity, and the ability to influence suppliers on cost, quality, and speed. Onsite work in Redmond, WA is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or 2+ years in purchasing, procurement, material planning, production planning, supply chain management, or engineering.
• 3+ years procurement experience in direct commodity sourcing.
• Experience reading technical drawings, data sheets, BOMs, and fabrication drawings.
• Experience in new product introduction (NPI) and mass production (MP).
• Strong negotiation skills for pricing, LTAs, capacity, and terms.
• Ability to manage category strategy, market conditions, and roadmaps.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage supply base (domestic and international) enabling rapid design iteration.
• Negotiate pricing, LTAs, capacity, lead times to protect company interests.
• Own supply continuity, capacity planning, and production readiness for scaling programs.
• Partner with engineering for NPI, design changes, and production transitions.
• Drive supplier performance, including delivery, quality, and cost improvements.
• Lead executive-level supplier escalations and recovery efforts.
• Present value propositions to executives on contracts and cost reductions.

Skills

Procurement experience

Direct commodity sourcing

Negotiation / pricing

NPI / MP experience

Technical procurement

Education

Bachelor’s degree or 2+ years of purchasing experience

Job description

SOURCING SPECIALIST, MECHANICAL & OPTICAL COMMODITIES (STARLINK)

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.

the company is leveraging our experience building rockets and spacecraft to deploy Starlink, the world’s largest satellite constellation and most advanced broadband internet system. We provide reliable and fast internet to millions of users worldwide, including populations with little or no connectivity, rural communities, aircraft, watercraft, and places where existing services are unreliable, too expensive, or disconnected by natural disasters. We design, build, test, and operate all parts of the system, thousands of satellites and consumer antennae that allow users to connect within minutes of unboxing. The Starlink team is seeking out the best-in-class professionals to maximize Starlink’s potential for communities and businesses around the globe.

As a member of the Starlink supply chain team you will manage the sourcing across mechanical and optical commodities used on our Starlink Satellites. Our team moves quickly and you must too. the company has the unique ability and desire to influence and shape suppliers to be better with us as we challenge our supply chain on cost, quality, and speed of execution.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop and manage supply base (domestic and international) that enables rapid design iteration
• Work directly with key suppliers to develop and implement sourcing and cost management strategies that support existing platforms and new product development
• Own supply continuity, capacity planning, and production readiness for rapidly scaling programs
• Drive supplier negotiations including pricing, LTAs, capacity investments, lead times, and commercial terms to ensure continuity of supply and protect the company interests
• Monitor global industry trends, track technology roadmaps, and actively partner with the design teams to identify and mitigate supply and demand challenges
• Drive supplier negotiations including pricing, LTAs, capacity investments, lead times, and commercial terms
• Partner with engineering teams to support new product introduction (NPI), design changes, qualification activities, and production transitions
• Build and maintain sourcing strategies including multi source development, vertical integration opportunities, and new manufacturing techniques
• Lead executive-level supplier escalations and recovery efforts for quality, delivery, and technical risks
• Develop clear risk assessments, mitigation plans, and production recovery strategies
• Monitor and improve supplier performance including delivery, quality, responsiveness, and cost
• Drive end-to-end ownership of hardware from material readiness for prototype builds through full-rate production
• Manage costs to ensure alignment with program budget
• Present value propositions to executives, including those related to contract award, cost reviews, cost reduction strategies, and critical supply issues

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree or 2+ years of experience working in purchasing, procurement, material planning, production planning, supply chain management, or engineering

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• 3+ years of procurement experience in direct commodity sourcing
• Technical procurement or planning experience with machined, optical, or photonic components
• Experience in new product introduction (NPI) and mass production (MP)
• Experience reading technical drawings, data sheets, fabrication drawing, BOMs and all related files
• Drive piece price and tooling negotiation process to ensure that the company’s commodity pricing meet best-in-class expectations, while meeting best-in-class quality, in addition to driving continual cost reduction and avoidance initiatives through ad-hoc price negotiations
• Address all areas of category management including category business plans, market conditions, technology roadmaps, cost modeling, and sourcing strategies
• Proven track record of taking ownership, successfully negotiating preferred pricing, and driving results
• Detail-oriented, self-motivated, and able to respond quickly in a fast-moving and ever-changing environment
• Exceptional analytical, problem solving, and organizational skills
• Effective written, verbal, and presentation communication skills
• Conducts all activities with the highest level of integrity

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Willingness to work extended hours and weekends when needed to meet critical deadlines
• Ability to travel and communicate outside of work hours
• Ability to travel: up to 30% of work week
• Must be able to work onsite in Redmond, WA. Remote work not considered.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Pay range:

Sourcing Specialist/Level I: $85,000.00 - $100,000.00/per year

Sr Sourcing Specialist/Level II: $95,000.00-$120,000.00/per year

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.

Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at the company. You may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of company stock, stock options, or long-term cash awards, as well as potential discretionary bonuses and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation and will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year. Employees in Washington State accrue paid sick time in compliance with state and federal law. Company shuttles are offered to employees for roundtrip travel from select Seattle locations to the company Redmond office Monday to Friday.

• Access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage
• Access to a 401(k) retirement plan
• Short and long-term disability insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid parental leave
• Various other discounts and perks
• Accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation
• Eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year
• Accrue paid sick time in compliance with state and federal law
• Company shuttles offered for roundtrip travel from select Seattle locations to the company Redmond office Monday to Friday

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.

the company is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with the company 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/ethn