Sourcing Specialist (Starship)

Starlink; Florida; On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

SpaceX is seeking a Sourcing Specialist (Starship) to manage strategic supplier analysis, contract negotiations, and cross-functional collaboration across the supply chain. This role emphasizes supplier development, cost optimization, and ensuring continuity of supply for SpaceX programs.

Based in Cape Canaveral, FL, onsite with travel requirements. Strong emphasis on reading blueprints, ERP proficiency, and NPI support across a global supplier base.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of professional experience in technical sourcing, procurement, or planning.
• Experience reading drawings and blueprints.
• Technical knowledge in a commodity (composites, machining, avionics, etc.).
• Sourcing from a global supply base using various contractual models.
• Proven success on cross-functional NPI projects, cost models, and negotiations.
• Familiarity with ERP systems and purchasing/planning functions.
• Exceptional written, verbal and presentation communication skills.
• Ability to identify and resolve technical, operational and organizational problems.
• Detail-oriented, self-motivated and able to respond quickly to a fast-moving environment.
• Understanding of blockchain powered supply chain platforms to boost efficiency, traceability, and payment processing speeds.

Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive supplier analysis to formulate a strategic sourcing plan and optimize cost structures.
• Evaluate and select suppliers based on capability, quality and price, with measurable performance goals.
• Analyze supplier operations for rapid deployment of new product development and long-term production.
• Lead initiatives to improve supplier quality, cost, service levels, delivery, lead-times and compliance.
• Develop supplier scorecards and monthly performance metrics against budget and objectives.
• Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders and drive make vs. buy decisions across the lifecycle.
• Execute sourcing strategies including RFIs/RFPs, supplier negotiations and contracting.
• Coordinate with engineering and quality to address rejected material and drive corrective actions.
• Negotiate terms and manage contracts including pricing, scope, IP, and export compliance.
• Issue POs, manage master data in MRP for SpaceX programs and provide procurement guidance.
• Advise buyers/planners to ensure tactical procurement success.

Skills

Technical sourcing

Procurement planning

Cross-functional work

ERP systems

Cost modeling

Negotiation

Global sourcing

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

MRP

Contract management

ERP software

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 (STARSHIP)

SpaceX is on a fast track to become the market leader in various product categories like US based human spaceflight, rapid vehicle reusability, internet services through the Starlink constellation and others exciting projects. The SpaceX Supply Chain Department is a critical player in our operations. To capitalize on SpaceX’s technological and market changing successes, our team will be part of managing an agile yet robust supply chain that will enable a competitive advantage for the company. The functions within the department include procurement, planning and fulfillment, supplier development and quality, logistics and inventory. SpaceX supply chain will play a key role in enabling SpaceX to meet these ambitious growth targets and greatly contribute in making us a multi-planetary species.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Conduct comprehensive supplier analysis to formulate a strategic sourcing plan that identifies new/suitable suppliers, optimize cost structures and proactively ensures continuity of supply based on macro market or industry trends. Manage the supply base by implementing a precise supplier stratification model and executing on a documented supplier management playbook
• Ensure health of supply base by evaluating and selecting suppliers based on capability, quality, reliability, and price competitiveness. Ensure supplier meets all critical measures of performance consistently by consistently executing on an operating plan with clear goals and control plans
• Analyze supplier operations to assess technical capability, equipment, and capacity for rapid deployment of new product development and long term production to implement a successful E2E product life cycle management strategy and process
• Direct and execute initiatives that support aggressive improvements in supplier quality, total cost effectiveness, enhanced service levels, improved coordination, delivery, pricing, lead-times, payment, risk compliance and other areas as identified
• Develop supplier score card to measure supplier performance against agreed upon key performance indicators; tracks compliance and supports formal management reporting to director and other members of senior management. Benchmark, track, and analyze annual performance metrics and sourcing trends against budget on a monthly basis to demonstrate continuous improvement and progress against strategic objectives
• Develop strong relationships with internal stakeholders, understanding their needs and consulting with them to build quality procurement strategies aligned to business requirements. Be the voice of reason and push engineering to make sound design decisions that are conducive to a high performing supply plan. Drive make vs. buy decisions for new products, implement the strategy across the product lifecycle from development, qualification, first article runs through stable production
• Execute sourcing strategies including development and execution of RFI’s and RFP’s, document bid events through correspondence to suppliers; develop selection criteria for suppliers in collaboration with cross-functional teams; conduct supplier negotiations/contracting and ongoing contract management
• Coordinate with engineering and quality organizations to determine cause of rejected material and to drive appropriate changes to ensure elimination/reduction of those quality issues
• Administer moderate to large contracts and independently negotiate with supplier’s contract terminology, pricing, technical requirements, scope and terms involving responsibility, liability, indemnification, intellectual property and export compliance
• Execute purchasing transactions within scope area by issuing purchase orders for SpaceX programs and ensure delivery. Manage all relevant master data in MRP to ensure accurate and complete information at all times
• Consult/advise buyer/planners on strategies and tactics to ensure their success and development. Provide high-level oversight and support to ensure operational success in tactical procurement execution

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• 2+ years of professional experience in technical sourcing, procurement, or planning
• Experience reading drawings and blueprints
• Technical knowledge in a commodity (e.g. composites raw material, composite component manufacturing, machining, avionics, soft goods etc.)
• Experience in sourcing from a global supply base using various contractual models
• Proven success working on cross-functional new product introduction projects, completing cost models, and negotiating
• Familiarity with ERP systems and purchasing/planning functions
• Exceptional written, verbal and presentation communication skills
• Ability to identify and resolve technical, operational and organizational problems
• Detail-oriented, self-motivated and able to respond quickly to a fast-moving and ever-changing environment
• Able to conduct all activities with the highest of integrity
• Understanding of block-chain powered supply chain platforms to boost efficiency, traceability, and payment processing speeds

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be able to travel - up to 50% work week travel may be required, including international travel
• Must be able to work extended hours and/or weekends as needed to meet major milestones
• This position is based in Cape Canaveral, FL and requires being 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 Aff… and applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to [e-mail].