Bachelor's degree with 6+ years of experience in business, supply chain, engineering, or energy; or 10+ years in a relevant field
5+ years in global supply chain, procurement, or commodity management focused on cooling systems
Deep technical understanding of datacenter cooling technologies and related equipment
Proven track record managing sourcing for cooling equipment in hyperscale or industrial environments
Experience in high-growth technology companies with aggressive scaling demands
Responsibilities
Partner with engineers and facility teams to co-define commodity strategy and multi-year technology roadmaps
Own end-to-end global sourcing for cooling equipment, ensuring >98% on-time delivery
Negotiate transformative commercial agreements incorporating co-development and supply programs
Deploy predictive analytics to mitigate risks impacting deployment and operations
Drive cost leadership through value engineering and long-term pricing agreements
Lead supplier innovation programs to enhance cooling technologies and reduce costs
Standardize and automate procurement processes to support SpaceX's build velocity
Benefits
Opportunities for professional growth in a fast-paced, innovative environment
Chance to work on critical projects that support SpaceX's mission
Access to cutting-edge technology and resources in the aerospace industry
Strong emphasis on sustainability and ethical sourcing
Collaboration with a world-class team of engineers and leaders in the field
Full Job Description
GLOBAL SUPPLY MANAGER, DATACENTER COOLING EQUIPMENT (STARLINK)
We are seeking a world-class Global Supply Manager to own end-to-end sourcing strategy, supplier management, and delivery of datacenter cooling equipment and supporting systems for SpaceX's hyperscale AI clusters. This role covers mechanical cooling infrastructure (dry coolers, chillers, pumps, CDUs), auxiliary piping, valves, controls/instrumentation, and chemicals/consumables. You will partner deeply with responsible engineers and thermal systems teams to define commodity strategy, build multi-year roadmaps, establish approved vendor lists, and secure supply at the extreme velocity and scale SpaceX demands. You will negotiate transformative agreements, deploy predictive supply chain tools, drive supplier co-innovation, and turn cooling infrastructure procurement into a strategic force multiplier that ensures maximum uptime, energy efficiency, and rapid deployment for SpaceX's power-dense training clusters. The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in datacenter or industrial cooling systems, thrives in high-velocity environments, and excels at managing both capital equipment and recurring consumables.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Partner deeply with responsible engineers, thermal architects, and facility teams to co-define commodity strategy, multi-year technology roadmaps, and approved vendor lists for mechanical cooling systems (dry coolers, chillers, pumps, CDUs), auxiliary piping/valves, controls/instrumentation, and chemicals/consumables, anticipating SpaceX's cooling demand and density requirements 12-24 months ahead
Own global sourcing end-to-end for cooling equipment, systems, and consumables, including aggressive supplier qualification, dual/multi-sourcing strategies, and performance management to deliver >98% on-time delivery and lead-time compression while supporting SpaceX's record-breaking cluster build cadence
Negotiate transformative commercial agreements that include not only pricing and volume but also co-development commitments, dedicated manufacturing capacity, lead-time reductions, NRE funding models, priority allocation during shortages, and flexible supply programs for chemicals/consumables
Deploy predictive analytics, AI-driven demand forecasting, and real-time supply chain visibility tools to anticipate and mitigate risks (long-lead equipment delays, component shortages, fluid chemistry changes, or geopolitical factors) before they impact cooling system deployment or cluster operations
Drive continuous cost leadership through should-cost modeling, value engineering of cooling assemblies and piping designs, specification optimization, and long-term pricing agreements for both capital equipment and recurring consumables while maintaining or exceeding the highest reliability, efficiency, and redundancy standards required for SpaceX training clusters
Lead supplier innovation programs - challenge and collaborate with vendors on custom high-efficiency designs, modular cooling packages, advanced controls integration, low-GWP refrigerants, optimized piping/valve configurations, and next-generation CDU/pump technologies that accelerate SpaceX's hardware roadmap and reduce total cost of ownership
Build and maintain a world-class hybrid supply base through strategic relationships with OEMs, component suppliers, and chemical providers, regular executive business reviews, joint development projects, and performance scorecards that position SpaceX as the preferred high-velocity partner for advanced datacenter cooling solutions
Standardize and automate procurement, NPI, inventory optimization (including just-in-time and consignment models for consumables), and installation support processes tailored to SpaceX's build velocity; establish clear KPIs for cost, quality, speed, system efficiency, and resilience reviewed weekly with leadership
Champion sustainability and supply chain ethics initiatives, including responsible sourcing of critical materials, supplier carbon footprint reduction targets, low-global-warming-potential cooling technologies, water usage optimization, and circular economy practices for cooling equipment and consumables
Stay at the forefront of industry trends in datacenter liquid and air cooling, high-density thermal management, controls systems, and fluid chemistry; translate these into actionable strategies that keep SpaceX at the bleeding edge of cooling performance, power efficiency, and deployment speed
Act as a force multiplier across the organization by mentoring cross-functional teams on cooling supply chain best practices and fostering a culture of ownership, speed, technical depth, and relentless optimization
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
Bachelor's degree and 6+ years of experience working in one or more of the following; or 10+ years of experience working in one or more of the following:
Business
Supply Chain
Engineering
Energy
5+ years of experience in global supply chain, procurement, or commodity management with a focus on cooling systems, HVAC, mechanical infrastructure, or industrial fluid systems
PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
Deep technical understanding of datacenter cooling technologies (dry coolers, chillers, CDUs, pumps), piping/valve systems, controls/instrumentation, and chemical consumables, along with knowledge of liquid cooling architectures
Proven track record managing sourcing for capital cooling equipment and supporting components/consumables in hyperscale, data center, or heavy industrial environments
Experience working in fast-paced, high-growth technology or infrastructure companies with aggressive scaling demands
Previous experience at hyperscalers, data center operators, cooling OEMs (e.g., Trane, Carrier, Vertiv), EPC firms, or industrial fluid system providers
Demonstrated success delivering results in ambiguous, high-velocity environments with extremely aggressive timelines and massive scale
Strong negotiation, analytical, project management, and cross-functional collaboration skills
Familiarity with commodity management, long-lead equipment procurement, roadmap planning, and approved vendor list processes
Passion for SpaceX's mission and excitement about enabling the fastest AI infrastructure build on Earth
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
Willingness to travel domestically and internationally as needed to support supplier factories, equipment testing, and critical projects at SpaceX data centers
Ability to thrive in a dynamic environment with rapidly evolving priorities and world-class execution speed
Location: Bastrop, TX or Austin, TX and requires being onsite
ITAR REQUIREMENTS:
To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. a7 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. a7 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.
About SpaceX
SpaceX is an American aerospace manufacturer and space transportation services company founded in 2002 by entrepreneur Elon Musk. The company designs, manufactures, and launches advanced rockets and spacecraft. SpaceX has developed the Falcon 1, Falcon 9, Falcon Heavy, and Dragon spacecraft. The company was founded with the goal of reducing space transportation costs and enabling the colonization of Mars. SpaceX has achieved several milestones in spaceflight, including the first privately-funded liquid-propellant rocket to reach orbit, the first privately-funded company to send a spacecraft to the International Space Station, and the first privately-funded company to send a human-rated spacecraft to orbit.
