Sourcing Manager, AI Satellite Electronics; Starmind

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

One of SpaceX’s most ambitious efforts to date, the AI Satellite program is our solution for bringing compute to space at global scale. The AI Satellite Supply Chain team is seeking a Sourcing Manager to support the Bastrop, TX production facility. To build on our technical momentum, the team will execute large-scale projects that directly impact the program’s cost, schedule, and performance.

Department functions include procurement, planning and fulfillment, supplier development and quality, logistics, inventory management, contract and pricing negotiation, and commodity strategy development.

This is a high-profile, cross-functional role that is essential to enabling the development and production flow of AI Satellites. You will partner closely with engineering and manufacturing to create and execute smart, creative supply chain strategies that meet aggressive production goals. Because final integration happens in-house, sourcing specialists get to see their hardware come to life on the factory floor every day.

Supported commodities include but are not limited to connectors , pins/contacts, cables/harnesses, back shells, studs, related connector accessories, etc.

Create sourcing strategies for assigned connector suppliers, PCBA and Harnessing, whether it’s consigned or turnkey

Manage supplier base factories to ensure smooth transition from NPI rates to full production rates, including max capacity assessments, CAPEX NRE review and proposals, and manage supplier production line site changes to ensure qualification and upbring align with SpaceX production schedules

Place purchase orders and resolve blocked invoices related to assigned category

Forecast demand, evaluate capacity, and manage supply signals to adjust incoming material

Track high risk components and supplier delivery performance

Communicate clearly and rapidly to influence decisions of vendors and senior leadership

Interpret engineering drawings and BOMs

Create sourcing strategies for all mechanical custom and COTS hardware

Develop a preferred supplier network and leverage it to minimize cost and lead time for the fabrication and delivery of parts

Supported commodities include but are not limited to machined parts, electromechanical equipment, large machining, finish processes, mechanical assemblies, etc.

Solve complex, open-ended problems with an emphasis on speed and efficiency

Manage outsource fabrication projects including planning, coordinating with stakeholders, estimating completion, and manage vendor performance

Perform onsite reviews of vendor capabilities

Responsible for authoring of contract documents with the legal department

Management of contracts ensuring performance of the supplier to contract obligations

Understand interrelationships between contracts and terms while applying creativity and sound business reasoning to interpret application of contract to business needs

Utilize negotiations to maximize value and cost savings benefit while lowering risk

Bachelor’s degree and 5+ years of experience working in one or more of the following; OR 7+ years of experience working in one or more of the following:

Engineering

Purchasing

Contract negotiation

Material or production planning

Operations or supply chain management

Material cost control

Master production scheduling

Experience with MRP or enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, and…