Buyer, Engineering

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This range is provided by Karman Space & Defense. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.

$30.00/hr - $33.00/hr

• Huntington Beach

Without the strength of our purchasing team, we would not be able to offer the industry‑leading service we’re known for. We’re seeking an experienced purchasing buyer professional. The ideal candidate will have proven industry experience as a Procurement Buyer preferably in a senior role.

Karman Space & Defense provides concept‑to‑production solutions for mission‑critical systems on spacecraft, launch vehicles, missiles, hypersonics, and integrated defense systems. We believe that solving the industry’s most complex and mission‑critical challenges requires relentless determination and a willingness to push the boundaries of possibility. Karman Space & Defense brings to bear unparalleled production capabilities, unmatched engineering expertise, and unflinching analysis to render the impossible, possible.

• Medical, Dental, Vision
• Company Paid Life Insurance
• 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Paid Holidays
• Tuition Reimbursement*

• Identify, evaluate, and build relationships with suppliers to ensure a reliable and cost‑effective supply chain for aerospace materials and components.
• Execute purchase orders for materials, parts, and services in accordance with technical specifications, quality requirements, and delivery schedules.
• Solicit, evaluate, and analyze supplier quotations to ensure best value and compliance with cost, quality, and delivery expectations.
• Source and qualify suppliers, maintaining an approved supplier base in accordance with AS9100 and customer requirements.
• Manage supplier relationships to ensure performance and resolve any procurement or delivery issues.
• Ensure adherence to government contracting requirements including FAR, DFARS, and ITAR compliance.
• Maintain accurate and auditable procurement documentation, including purchase orders, supplier quotes, and justification memos.
• Support internal and external audits by providing required documentation and data.
• Negotiate pricing, terms, and conditions to achieve cost savings while maintaining supplier reliability and quality.
• Conduct cost/price analysis for materials and services to support fair and reasonable pricing determinations.
• Identify cost‑reduction and process‑improvement opportunities within the supply chain.
• Monitor order status and expedite deliveries to meet production and program schedules.
• Collaborate with planning, inventory, and production teams to manage material shortages or changes in demand.
• Resolve discrepancies in purchase orders, invoices, and receiving reports in coordination with accounting and suppliers.
• Track supplier performance metrics (on‑time delivery, quality, responsiveness) and support corrective action initiatives.
• Participate in supplier reviews and provide feedback to ensure continuous improvement.
• Performs other related duties as requested.

• Self‑motivated and ambitious with a clear sense of integrity, urgency and professional responsibility.
• Adapts to changes in the work environment; manages competing demands; changes approach or method to best fit the situation; able to deal with frequent changes, delays or unexpected events.
• Strong written and verbal communications skills. Must be able to converse with a diverse technical customer base and collect & disseminate data clearly and concisely.
• Ability to multi‑task and work with minimal supervision.
• Must be a U.S. Person (U.S. Citizen, U.S. Permanent Resident (green card holder) or other status as a U.S. Person).

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Minimum 3–5 years of experience in procurement, preferably within the manufacturing environment.
• Understanding of industry standards, materials, and ISO certifications (e.g., AS9100, FAR, DFARS). Preferred.
• Strong organizational skills with attention…