Sourcing Specialist, Solar (Starlink)

SpaceX; Texas; On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

SpaceX is seeking a Sourcing Specialist for Solar (Starlink) to drive procurement, planning and supplier performance for solar components including cells, wafers and ingots. This role collaborates with engineering and manufacturing to secure reliable supply and optimize costs.

The ideal candidate has a background in purchasing and supply chain, with experience in ERP/MRP systems, contract management and supplier development, and the ability to navigate fast-moving environments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field or 5+ years of experience in lieu of a degree.
• Experience in purchasing, procurement, or material planning is required.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience with ERP/MRP systems and BOM/work orders.

Responsibilities

• Place purchase orders and resolve blocked invoices related to Solar Cell, Wafer, and Ingot production.
• Forecast demand, evaluate capacity, and manage supply signals to adjust incoming material for solar production.
• Track high risk components and supplier delivery performance.
• Communicate clearly and rapidly to influence decisions of vendors and senior leadership.
• Interpret engineering drawings and BOMs.
• Create sourcing strategies for consumables, gases, and chemicals related to scope.
• Develop a preferred supplier network and leverage it to minimize cost and lead time for items related to solar.

Skills

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Project prioritization

Negotiation

Education

Bachelor's degree in a related field

Tools

MRP/ERP systems

Bill of Materials management

Purchase Order management

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, SOLAR (STARLINK)

One of the most ambitious missions that SpaceX has undertaken to date, the Starlink constellation is our solution to providing reliable internet to the entire world. To capitalize on our technical and market success, our team will execute large-scale projects that will define the bottom-line for the Starlink program. The functions within the department include procurement, planning and fulfillment, supplier development and quality, logistics, inventory management, negotiation of supplier contracts and pricing, and developing the commodity strategy.

This is a high-profile, cross functional position that plays an integral role in enabling development and production flow for Starlink production. You will work in close coordination with engineering and manufacturing departments, executing effective, creative and smart supply chain strategies to achieve production goals. With integration taking place in-house, sourcing specialists are able to see their assemblies come to life every day!

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Place purchase orders and resolve blocked invoices related to Solar Cell, Wafer, and Ingot production
• Forecast demand, evaluate capacity, and manage supply signals to adjust incoming material for solar production
• Track high risk components and supplier delivery performance
• Communicate clearly and rapidly to influence decisions of vendors and senior leadership
• Interpret engineering drawings and BOMs
• Create sourcing strategies for consumables, gases, and chemicals related to scope
• Develop a preferred supplier network and leverage it to minimize cost and lead time for items related to solar
• Solve complex, open-ended problems with an emphasis on speed and efficiency
• Perform onsite reviews of vendor capabilities
• Responsible for authoring of contract documents with the legal department
• Management of contracts ensuring performance of the supplier to contract obligations
• Understand interrelationships between contracts and terms while applying creativity and sound business reasoning to interpret application of contract to business needs
• Utilize negotiations to maximize value and cost savings benefit while lowering risk

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree and 3+ years of experience working in purchasing, procurement, material planning, production planning, supply chain management, or engineering; OR 5+ years of experience in lieu of a degree

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Solid understanding of common manufacturing processes and machines including mills, lathes, waterjet, laser cutters, sheet metal fabrication, etc
• Experience in Semiconductor industry and solar production
• Strong written and verbal communications skills, with strong ability to communicate to all levels of internal personnel
• Experience with MRP or enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, as well as, managing bill of materials, work orders, and purchase orders
• Experience with forecasting, demand planning, and lead time analysis
• Detail-oriented, self-motivated and able to respond quickly to a fast-moving and ever-changing environments
• Capability to prioritize multiple on-going projects
• Strong track record for achieving results; must be able to reference wins and quantify impact

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 20-30% of work week
• Must be able to work onsite, remote work not considered

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 Affimative Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out [e-mail].