Sourcing Specialist, PCB/PCBA (Starshield)

Spacex; Hawthorne (CA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Long-term incentives

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Medical coverage

401(k) retirement plan

Paid parental leave

Paid vacation

Paid holidays

Paid sick leave

Job summary

SpaceX in Hawthorne, CA is seeking a sourcing specialist for Starshield to own demand planning and strategic sourcing for hardware used on satellites and production. You will balance cost, quality, and lead-time targets while enabling high‑volume production.

The role requires a Bachelor’s degree or 2+ years in procurement or supply chain, with experience in PCB/PCBA or electrical components. Travel up to 25% may be needed and on-site work in Hawthorne is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or 2+ years of experience in purchasing, procurement, material planning, production planning, supply chain management, or engineering.
• Experience with PCB/PCBA or electrical components is preferred.
• Strong analytical, problem solving, and organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Work directly with key suppliers to develop and implement sourcing and cost management strategies.
• Pull and aggregate the overall demand picture for hardware to enable an accurate demand signal.
• Act as the supplier interface for RFIs, RFPs and RFQs.
• Partner with internal stakeholders to run the RFX process and evaluation, then implement a sourcing decision.
• Manage cost to adhere to project budgets and forecasts.
• Develop should-cost models for cost analysis.
• Ensure suppliers support prototype builds and mass production.
• Drive internal and external process improvements to save costs.
• Present value propositions to SpaceX executives on cost reviews and supplier issues.
• Develop, manage, and maintain supplier partnerships.
• Implement data management tools to monitor supplier performance.

Skills

PCB/PCBA sourcing

Strategic procurement

Supplier relationship management

Analytical skills

MS Excel

SQL

Access

Leadership

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree or 2+ years experience

Tools

Excel

SQL

Access

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 SPECIALIST, PCB/PCBA (STARSHIELD)

Starshield leverages SpaceX'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, SpaceX'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 SpaceX'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 SpaceX’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 SpaceX 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
• Pull and aggregate the overall demand picture for hardware used to support the Starshield satellite constellation to enable an accurate demand signal that will enable rate
• Act as the supplier interface for all RFIs, RFPs and RFQs
• Partner with internal stakeholders to run the RFX process and evaluation, then use results to implement a sourcing decision
• 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
• Present value propositions to SpaceX executives, including those related to contract award, cost reviews, cost reduction strategies and critical supply issues
• Develop, manage, and maintain strong supplier partnerships
• Implement analytical data management tools to manage supplier performance

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:

• Technical procurement or planning experience with PCB, PCBA, or electrical components
• Technical procurement, manufacturing, or electronic component and board-level commodity experience
• Proven track record of leadership and team-building skills
• Experience in production purchasing preferred
• Exceptional analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills
• Knowledge and skills in current technologies and applications, e.g. MS Office Suite, SQL, Access, etc.
• Effective written, verbal, and presentation communication skills
• Ability to learn quickly and prioritize appropriately to meet customer and company needs
• Excellent customer service skills
• Ability to learn quickly and prioritize appropriately to meet customer and company needs
• Detail-oriented, self-motivated, and able to respond quickly to a fast-moving and ever-changing environment
• Conducts all activities with the highest integrity
• Previous work experience reading datasheets, drawings, and blueprints

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, up to 25% travel
• 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 1: $85,000.00 - $110,000.00
• Level 2: $100,000.00 - $135,000.00

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.

Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at SpaceX. You may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of company stock 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 accrue paid sick leave pursuant to Company policy which satisfies or exceeds the accrual, carryover, and use requirements of the law.

Benefits Summary:

• Long-term incentives in the form of company stock or long-term cash awards
• Potential discretionary bonuses
• Ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan
• Comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Short- and long-term disability insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid parental leave
• Various other discounts and perks
• 3 weeks of paid vacation
• 10 or more paid holidays per year
• Accrued paid sick leave as per Company policy

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].