Strategic Technical Procurement Lead

Jobtailor; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Jobtailor is seeking an experienced Procurement Specialist to support aerospace/defense projects in Austin, TX. You will translate engineering requirements into actionable purchasing plans, manage end-to-end procurement, and keep cross-functional teams informed of status, risks, and changes.

You will coordinate with Finance on invoices, source specialized vacuum and high‑tech components, and ensure compliance with NDA, IP, ITAR, and EAR policies.

Qualifications

• Two years of procurement or purchasing experience.
• Experience in a technical, industrial, or project-driven environment preferred.
• Experience with sourcing, purchase orders, supplier communication, invoice administration, and procurement tools or ERP systems.
• Degree or equivalent hands-on experience in mechanical, electrical, industrial engineering, or a related field.
• Ability to read drawings, BOMs, and specifications.
• Strong organization and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple requests, priorities, and deadlines.
• Experience procuring under tight schedule constraints in aerospace, defense, semiconductor, energy, manufacturing, or a similar environment.
• Sound judgment evaluating supplier quotations, lead times, commercial terms, and supply risks.
• Clear, professional communication with technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Proactive, collaborative approach and comfort working in ambiguity.
• Willingness to work on-site with the Austin team.
• Eligibility to work in the United States or Germany, or willingness to obtain required sponsorship.

Responsibilities

• Translate engineering requirements into specifications, quantities, lead times, and purchasing plans.
• Manage procurement from approved request through delivery.
• Keep engineering and project teams informed of status, risks, and changes.
• Prepare, issue, and administer purchase orders according to approval requirements and procurement policy.
• Coordinate with Finance on invoices and payment questions.
• Research and source vacuum hardware, cryogenic systems, high-voltage equipment, lasers, and precision-machined parts.
• Request and evaluate quotations, pricing, lead times, and commercial terms.
• Support supplier selection with the Lead Procurement Manager.
• Maintain supplier relationships.
• Support supplier performance reviews, spend tracking, and procurement reporting.
• Track open orders, delivery dates, backorders, and requirement changes.
• Escalate critical-path delays early.
• Maintain procurement risk registers and risk burndown views.
• Provide updates against project milestones.
• Follow procurement policy and support NDA, IP, and export-control requirements, including ITAR and EAR.
• Keep procurement records complete and current.

Skills

Procurement Experience

Supplier Communication

Technical Drawing Interpretation

Attention to Detail

Clear Communication

Proactive Collaboration

Ability to Manage Priorities

Risk Management

Project Milestone Tracking

Education

Degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial Engineering, or related field

Tools

ERP Systems

BOM Interpretation

Purchase Orders

Supplier Evaluation

Invoice Administration

Procurement Reporting

Job description

Jobtailor is seeking an experienced Procurement Specialist to support aerospace/defense projects in Austin, TX. You will translate engineering requirements into actionable purchasing plans, manage end-to-end procurement, and keep cross-functional teams informed of status, risks, and changes.

You will coordinate with Finance on invoices, source specialized vacuum and high‑tech components, and ensure compliance with NDA, IP, ITAR, and EAR policies.