Technical Buyer - Laser and Optical Systems

Technical Buyer - Laser and Optical Systems

Boston, MA, USA

Summary

QuEra builds neutral-atom quantum computers. Every machine depends on a large and growing set of laser and optical systems, sourced from specialist suppliers worldwide and deployed across ourglobal sites.

The Technical Buyer will report to the head of Supply Chain, but work hand in hand with the Laser and Optical Systems teamto manage QuEra’s Optical and Laser Vendor Base. QuEra’s Optical and Laser vendor base is the most critical aspect of the supply chain.

The role requires competencies in both the technical and commercial sides of the business.

This is a vendor management role with fundamental technical competences in optics. You will work with Optical Systems Team toestablishtechnicalspecifications with the vendor based on the latestR&D. You will need enough fluency to read a specification, judge a quotation against it, and hold a supplier to what was ordered. You will also need tooperate in technical and commercial spacesthatare fluid. You must be able to balance technical requirements and deliverable within commercial constraints.

The hardwarepurchases you will be managing are often state-of-the-artNew Products(NPI) for our vendors. Specifications are not always settled when an order is placed;few suppliers can meet them, and nothing is held in stock. Lead times arelong,every unit is verified on arrival before it is deployed.

Sourcing spans multiple regions with trade compliance and controlled handling. Your skillsetshould be able to help develop vendor KPI’s, keep vendors accountable for non-conforming materials, and findopportunities for new relationships.

Focus Areas

• Active components: laser sources, optical amplifiers, modulators, and servo electronics.
• Passive components: optical isolators, nonlinear optical materials, and polarization-maintaining components.
• Custom fiber optics and assemblies, including high-power handling and specialty terminations.
• Integrated laser modules, precision optical assemblies, and associated spares and service parts.
• Routine catalog items continue through the existing purchasing process.

Responsibilities

Sourcing and purchasing

• Evaluate vendor competencies based on QuEra'sR&Dspecifications and capacity.
• Turn approved specifications into quotable requests; collect and normalize quotations for like-for-like comparison across development cost, lead time, and warranty.
• Understand the vendors ability to both delivery quality product and scale capacity as QuEramoves towards a production environment.
• Develop and Maintain an RFI / RFP / RFQ for new and existing vendorsin a dynamic R&D environment.
• Maintain the qualified supplier list by category and track supplier delivery and quality performance
• Act as the intermediary for the Optics andLaser Systems Team  and G&A for all high dollar procurements. Ensure thatall technical and administrativedetailshave been completed before contracts andpurchaseorders are executed.
• Work with internal stakeholders on material delivery plan and hold vendors accountable to that plan.
• Coordinate factory acceptance, witness testing,pre-shipment documentation, and incoming quality inspection.

RMAs, warranty, and disputes

• Own Vendor RMA’sand systematize processes that drive down their likelihood of reoccurring.
• Carry thesuppliercorrespondence on RMAs, warranty claims, anddisputes.
• Resolve commercial disputes overspecificationconformance, delivery, or damage, working with the technical team on the technical position and with Legal where required.
• Have a general understanding ofhow to implement Supplier Corrective Action Requests.
• Maintain warranty records, flag expiry in advance, and report RMA volume, turnaround, and recurring causes.

Logistic sand compliance

• Support Custom Packaging…