Supply Chain Lead – Critical Materials & Quantum Hardware (Defense Focus)

Ainabl; Boston (MA); Hybrid; USD 220,000 - 300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Meaningful equity

Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance

Job summary

A leading quantum hardware company in Boston is seeking a Supply Chain Lead to manage sourcing and qualification of critical materials for advanced quantum systems. The role requires extensive experience in technical supply chain management targeting rare-earth materials and cryogenic components. With a competitive salary of $220-300K and hybrid working options, this position offers an opportunity to influence groundbreaking technology in defense applications while collaborating with top experts in the field.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in technical supply chain leadership for permanent magnets and cryogenic hardware.
• Proven ability in scaling advanced magnetic materials.
• Established relationships with leading magnet manufacturers.

Responsibilities

• Own supplier relationships and qualification for critical materials.
• Build a dual-source strategy compliant with regulations.
• Negotiate long-term agreements with tier-1 producers.
• Implement quality systems and inspection protocols for defense-grade hardware.

Skills

Technical supply chain leadership

Supplier relationship management

Compliance (ITAR, CMMC 2.0)

Negotiation

Education

12+ years in supply chain management

Job description

Supply Chain Lead – Critical Materials & Quantum Hardware (Defense Focus)

Application Deadline: Open until filled (target start: February 2026)

Job Type

Full-Time

Workspace

Hybrid/Remote-eligible

Job Description

Ainabl is the only company delivering airborne-qualified, revenue-generating quantum-secure networking systems today. With a clear path to licensing and backlog, we are scaling from early Phase-0 units in 2026-2027 to full constellation delivery by 2030. We seek an exceptional Supply Chain Lead to own the end-to-end sourcing, qualification, and dual-sourcing strategy for the high-performance permanent magnets, cryogenic components, and precision opto-mechanical assemblies that enable our trapped-ion quantum transceivers to meet the most demanding airborne SWaP and reliability requirements. Reporting to the COO and partnering closely with the CTO and Director Certification, you will de-risk and scale the most critical non-silicon elements of the bill-of-materials as we move from qNIC-200 (2026) → qNIC-300/500/1000 (2027–2030).

Responsibilities

Own supplier relationships and qualification for rare-earth permanent magnets (NdFeB/DyTb alloys), μ-metal shielding, ion-trap assemblies, and cryogenic sub-systems

Build and execute a U.S./UK dual-source strategy with full ITAR/CMMC 2.0 compliance

Drive second-source qualification for all magnet grades and cryogenic components by Q2 2027

Negotiate long-term agreements (LTAs) and SLAs with tier-1 magnet producers, Oxford Instruments, Bluefors, and precision machining partners

Implement supplier quality systems, incoming inspection protocols, and traceability for defense-grade hardware

Manage CAPEX planning and make/buy decisions for potential in-house magnet processing or finishing lines (2028+)

Collaborate with Systems Engineering on SWaP optimization and vibration-tolerant magnetic designs

Support SBIR/STTR and Critical Materials Institute grant applications for domestic magnet supply-chain resilience

Requirements

Qualifications

12+ years in technical supply chain leadership for permanent magnets, rare-earth materials, or precision cryogenic hardware

Proven track record scaling advanced magnetic materials or cryogenic systems from R&D to high-volume production

Deep existing relationships with leading NdFeB/DyTb magnet manufacturers and coating/finishing houses (U.S., Japan, Europe)

Experience implementing CMMC 2.0, ITAR, and DFARS-compliant supply chains

Demonstrated success qualifying second sources under DoD or aerospace oversight

Preferred Skills

Prior role in defense/aerospace (permanent magnets for actuators, sensors, or RF systems)

Hands-on experience with hydrogen processing, calciothermic reduction, or sintering of high-performance rare-earth magnets

Active or recent TS/SCI strongly preferred (ability to obtain mandatory)

U.S. citizenship required (ITAR)

Why Join Ainabl?

Be part of a mission-driven team delivering unbreakable quantum-secure communications for 6th-gen platforms

Work on groundbreaking quantum hardware with global impact and defense advancements

Competitive salary ($220–$300K base), meaningful equity (0.8–1.5%), and full benefits

Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance

Collaborate with DARPA alumni, ex-Northrop/Raytheon executives, and world-class quantum physicists

Shape the most critical non-silicon supply chain in defense quantum technology

Recruitment Process

Application Review: Shortlist notified within 3 business days

Initial Screen: 45-minute call with CEO

Deep-Dive Interview: 2-hour session with CEO and leadership

Customer/Clearance Validation & References

Offer: Verbal offer within 48 hours of final interview

Target Start: February 2026

About the Company

At Ainabl, we are the only team shipping airborne-qualified quantum networking hardware today. We are seeking an experienced Supply Chain Lead to secure and scale the advanced magnetic and cryogenic materials that make our systems possible. If you have built and defended rare-earth or cryogenic supply chains at scale, this is your opportunity to own the physical foundation of the 21st-century battlespace datalink.

Additional Information

Location: Boston, MA, USA (Hybrid/Remote-eligible; primary hub: Cambridge, MA; regular travel to partner sites required)

This role involves access to ITAR-controlled information; U.S. citizenship required