Sourcing Specialist (Starship)

United States Digital Space LLC; Hawthorne (CA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

United States Digital Space LLC is hiring a Sourcing Specialist (STARSHIP) in Hawthorne, CA. You will own procurement of mechanical hardware, forecast demand, and manage supplier performance to support development and production timelines.

You will negotiate and place POs, interpret engineering drawings, and coordinate with cross-functional teams to minimize downtime while ensuring quality and cost targets. This role demands travel readiness and onsite presence.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field with 1+ year in sourcing or 4+ years in related roles.
• Experience with procurement, planning and fulfillment.
• Strong analytical and data skills for decision making.

Responsibilities

• Manage sourcing across precision machined components and related processes (heat treat, coatings).
• Quote, negotiate, and place purchase orders aligning with specs, costs and delivery schedules.
• Forecast demand and manage POs to ensure uninterrupted supply.
• Track supplier performance metrics (quality, delivery, cost) in a fast-paced environment.
• Interpret engineering drawings and specifications to ensure manufacturability and cost efficiency.
• Communicate design changes to suppliers to minimize downtime and lead times.
• Solve complex supply chain problems in ambiguous environments to ensure continuity of supply.
• Develop relationships with internal and external stakeholders for alignment and change management.
• Complete tasks efficiently to meet critical program deadlines.

Skills

Proven results

Ambiguity handling

Fast learner

Communication skills

Detail oriented

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Excel

SQL

Power BI

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 SPECIALIST (STARSHIP)

the company is committed to revolutionizing space travel, with the Starship program at the forefront of this mission. We are seeking a Sourcing Specialist with a track record of extreme ownership and a high sense of agency to own procurement and fulfillment of mechanical hardware necessary for mission success. The functions within the supply chain department include procurement, planning and fulfillment, supplier development and quality, logistics and inventory.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Manage sourcing activities across a range of supported commodities including precision machined components, outside processes (e.g. heat treat, coatings, etc.), forgings, castings, and other complex manufactured parts.

• Quote out, negotiate, and place purchase orders for precision-machined mechanical components, ensuring alignment with technical specifications, cost targets, and delivery schedules.

• Forecast demand, evaluate supplier capacity, and proactively manage purchase orders to ensure uninterrupted supply of mechanical components in support of development and production schedules.

• Track and drive supplier performance metrics – such as quality, delivery, responsiveness, and cost – in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

• Interpret engineering drawings and technical specifications to align sourcing activities with suppliers possessing the optimal capabilities, ensuring manufacturability, quality, and cost efficiency.

• Manage frequent design changes by clearly and effectively communicating updates to the supply base, minimizing unproductive downtime and reducing lead times through proactive coordination.

• Taking the initiative to solve complex, open-ended supply chain problems in an ambiguous fast-evolving environment to ensure continuity of supply.

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with key internal and external stakeholders to confirm alignment, foster collaboration, and enable effective change management throughout the product lifecycle.

• Consistently complete tasks with a high level of efficiency and effectiveness, balancing speed and accuracy to meet critical program deadlines.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree and 1+ year of experience working in one or more of the following; or 4+ years of experience working in one or more of the following:

• Engineering

• Supply Chain

• Purchasing

• Contract negotiation

• Material or production planning

• Operations management

• Material cost control

• Master production scheduling

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Strong track record for achieving results; must be able to reference wins and quantify impact

• Demonstrated ability to work in ambiguous situations and across organizational boundaries. History of self-learning & application of newly learned tools & techniques

• Ability to learn quickly and prioritize appropriately to meet customer and company needs

• Effective written and verbal communications skills, with strong ability to communicate complex ideas to an audience with a wide range of technical or product expertise

• Detail-oriented, self-motivated and able to respond quickly to a fast-moving and ever-changing environment. Proven capability to prioritize multiple on-going projects.

• Experience with MRP or enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, and with managing bill of materials, work orders, and purchase orders

• Experience with forecasting, demand planning, and lead time analysis

• Solid understanding of common manufacturing processes and machines including mills, lathes, forgings, castings, heat treatment, coatings, etc.

• Strong skills in data analysis using Excel, SQL and PowerBI

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be able to travel domestically and internationally for business needs - up to 50%

• Must be able to work extended hours and/or weekends as needed

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

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Pay Range:

Sourcing Specialist/Level I: $85,000.00 - $100,000/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 & long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation & will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year. Exempt employees are eligible for 5 days of sick leave per year.

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