Sourcing Specialist (Starship)

SPACE EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGIES CORP; Hawthorne (CA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Long-term incentives including stock options

Comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage

401(k) retirement plan

Paid parental leave

Paid vacation and holidays

Job summary

A leading aerospace manufacturer in Hawthorne, CA, is seeking a Sourcing Specialist to manage sourcing activities and negotiate purchase orders for mechanical components. This role requires strong communication, data analysis, and problem-solving skills. A Bachelor's degree and experience in supply chain or engineering are mandatory. Expected salary ranges from $85,000 – $100,000 annually with comprehensive benefits and incentives.

Qualifications

• 1+ year of experience in Engineering, Supply Chain, or Purchasing.
• Experience with contract negotiation and operations management.
• Solid understanding of common manufacturing processes.

Responsibilities

• Manage sourcing activities for precision machined components.
• Negotiate and place purchase orders for mechanical components.
• Evaluate supplier capacity and manage purchase orders.

Skills

Strong track record for achieving results

Ability to learn quickly and prioritize appropriately

Effective written and verbal communication skills

Detail-oriented and self-motivated

Strong skills in data analysis using Excel, SQL and PowerBI

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience

4+ years of experience in relevant fields

Tools

MRP or enterprise resource planning systems

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 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.
• Take 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; able to reference wins and quantify impact
• Demonstrated ability to work in ambiguous situations and across organizational boundaries; history of self‑learning and application of new tools and techniques
• Ability to learn quickly and prioritize appropriately to meet customer and company needs
• Effective written and verbal communication 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 in a fast‑moving and ever‑changing environment; proven capability to prioritize multiple ongoing projects
• Experience with MRP or enterprise resource planning 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 onsite work – remote work is not considered

Compensation and Benefits

Pay Range:

Sourcing Specialist/Level I: $85,000 – $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 SpaceX. 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 comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, 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. Exempt employees are eligible for 5 days of sick leave per year.

To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. lawful permanent resident, refugee, or asylee, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR.

Equal Employment Opportunity

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].