Sourcing Specialist; Starship

Space

X 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 Space

X is actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal of enabling human life on Mars.

Space

X 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.

• 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.

• 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

• 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

• 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

Pay Range:

Sourcing Specialist/Level I: $85,000 – $100,000 per year

Y…