Sr. Buyer

nLIGHT; Longmont (CO); On-site; USD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

4 weeks paid time off per year

11 paid holidays

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Tuition Assistance Program

Health, Vision and Dental (employer) 》

Paid Family Leave

Short and Long Term Disability

Competitive 401k with company match

Job summary

nLIGHT-DEFENSE Systems, Inc. in Longmont, CO is seeking a Senior Buyer to support strategic sourcing, procurement, and materials management for high-tech categories.

The role coordinates with Category Managers, Engineering, and Program Managers to develop sourcing strategies and supplier development plans, while ensuring CPSR-compliant purchasing practices. You will manage supplier performance, execute requisition-to-pay processes, and provide KPI reporting, with a strong emphasis on DoD and

Qualifications

• 8+ years of purchasing/supply chain experience, with government contracting exposure.
• Strong analytical skills, including Excel for data analysis and decision support.
• Experience supporting DoD, aerospace, or government-funded programs.
• Familiarity with CPSR, DCMA, DCAA audits or similar regulatory reviews.
• Experience negotiating supplier terms and managing complex subcontracts.

Responsibilities

• Execute and monitor purchase orders and communicate with suppliers to track delivery, shipments, documentation, and payment issues.
• Manage complex government sub-contractor contracts and high-value purchase orders.
• Evaluate ERP data integrity and system validity; ensure accurate procurement records.
• Support price and cost analyses of subcontractor proposals and ensure regulatory alignment.
• Train and mentor junior buyers on ERP (D365), planning, and purchasing methodologies.
• Comply with all procurement policies and procedures; generate and present supplier KPIs.

Skills

8+ years experience

Advanced analytics

Government contracting

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s Degree (Supply Chain / Ops / Mgmt)

Tools

D365

Procurement analytics tools

Job description

Location:Longmont, CO (onsite)

Experience: 8+ years’ experience in Strategic, Technical Purchasing and/or Supply Chain Management. Prior government contracting experience is required.

Minimum Education:Bachelor’s Degree in Supply Chain, Manufacturing Operations, Business Administration, Operations Management or equivalent experience.

Compensation:$100,000-$140,000 based on education and experience.

Who We Are

nLIGHT-DEFENSE Systems, Inc. is one of the nation’s leading developers of Directed Energy systems, which is a top modernization priority of the Department of Defense. Our High Energy Laser (HEL) systems, Adaptive Optical (AO) systems, and Acquisition / Pointing / Tracking (APT) solutions are designed to overcome the most difficult challenges facing the deployment of high energy laser solutions to the United States military and our allies. Located in Longmont, Colorado, nLIGHT-DEFENSE Systems, Inc. is a vertically integrated business that leverages internal capabilities – from semiconductor device through target identification – to develop systems that are both high-performance and cost-effective. We continue to invest in capabilities, facilities and technology to bring leading edge HEL solutions to the warfighter. This is a great opportunity to work at a company that is on the leading edge of the HEL industry and provides a culture of excellence and commitment to delivering solutions to the warfighter and our country.

Headquartered

Headquartered in Camas, Washington, nLIGHT is a publicly listed company (NASDAQ: LASR).

Summary

The Sr. Buyer’s primary responsibilities are to support cross-functional team members in the strategic sourcing, procurement, and materials management functions of highly technical categories such as Optics, Electronics, and Custom Manufactured Components and Assemblies. The Sr. Buyer role includes, but is not limited to: coordinating with Category Managers, Engineering, and Program Managers to develop strategic purchasing and materials management flow strategies. The Sr. Buyer will also develop and manage supplier performance, and supplier development plans. The Sr Buyer will be responsible for executing the requisition to pay processes on assigned categories.

Security Clearance

All applicants must possess or be qualified to obtain a U.S. DoD Personnel Security Clearance. Preference will be given to candidates with an existing U.S. DoD Personnel Security Clearance. Further information on requirements to obtain a security clearance is available at: https://www.dcsa.mil/mc/pv/mbi/gicp/. Please review this information before applying.

Responsibilities

• Execute and monitor purchase orders and maintain proactive communication with suppliers to monitor purchase order delivery, shipment tracking, short or late shipments, documentation, delivery, payment issues, or qualities issues.
• Manage complex government sub-contractor contracts and high value complex purchase orders.
• Evaluate and maintain ERP and ensure system validity and integrity.
• Support price and cost analysis of subcontractor proposals, ensuring alignment with sector policies and regulatory requirements.
• Train and mentor Associate Buyer/Planner and Buyer/Planner I/II team members on D365, Work Order discipline, and planning and purchasing methodologies.
• Comply with Supply Chain, Accounting and Purchasing policies and procedures.
• Generate, maintain, and present Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for supplier performance within assigned categories.

Required Experience / Capability

• Commitment to Excellence. Attention to Detail. Pride in Workmanship.
• 8+ years’ experience in Purchasing and/or Supply Chain. Experience in high-tech, government contracting industry.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Supply Chain, Manufacturing Operations, Business Administration, Operations Management or equivalent experience.
• Experience supporting Department of Defense (DoD), aerospace, or government-funded programs.
• Exposure to Contractor Purchasing System Reviews (CPSR), Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA), Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA), customer audits, or other regulatory reviews.
• Advanced analytical capability, including expert use of Excel for data analysis and decision support.

Additional Desired Experience / Capability

• Familiarity with International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and Export Administration Regulations (EAR).
• Effectively manage schedule and priorities with minimal daily direction to meet mid-to-term objectives.
• Experience negotiating long‑term supplier agreements, strategic sourcing initiatives, and cost reduction programs.
• Ability to interface at all levels. Excellent communication skills both written and oral.
• Advanced analytical capability, including expert use of Excel for data analysis and decision support
• Experience working within AS9100, ISO 9001, or other regulated manufacturing environments.
• Experience supporting proposal activities, fact-finding efforts, Requests for Information (RFIs), and compliance-driven procurement activities.
• Administer complex subcontracts and purchase orders in compliance with FAR, DFARS, customer contract requirements, and company policies.
• Review customer contracts and ensure appropriate contractual flowdown requirements are incorporated into supplier purchase orders and subcontracts.
• Perform and document price analyses, sole source justifications, and procurement file documentation in support of CPSR-compliant purchasing practices.
• Participate in supplier negotiations involving pricing, delivery, terms and conditions, intellectual property, and other contractual requirements.
• Collaborate with Contracts, Program Management, Engineering, and Quality teams to resolve subcontract performance, compliance, and delivery issues.

Benefits Summary

• 4 weeks of Paid Time Off per year
• 11 paid Holidays
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan
• Tuition Assistance Program
• Health (ACA Gold Plan), Vision and Dental Care paid by employer 100% for Employee and 75% for Dependents
• Paid Family Leave, Short and Long Term Disability paid by employer 100%
• Competitive 401k with company match and immediate vesting

Equal Opportunity Employer

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or age. For more information about our commitment to equal employment opportunity, please see this government poster: Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal. If you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation in the application or hiring process, please contact Human Resources at [e-mail].