Senior Supply Chain Specialist

GITAI

$110K — $145K *
Aerospace & Defense
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Degree in engineering, supply chain management, or a closely related field required.
  • Experience in procurement or supplier management in hardware, aerospace, or deep tech environments.
  • Background in early-stage startups (Series B or earlier) is preferred.
  • Prior involvement in U.S. government or defense-related programs is essential.
  • Familiarity with ITAR, EAR, and export-controlled environments is beneficial.
  • Proven negotiation experience with contracts and commercial terms is necessary.
  • Strong communication skills to work effectively with engineers and suppliers.

Responsibilities

  • Own procurement execution for space defense programs, including supplier follow-up and delivery tracking.
  • Translate engineering needs into actionable procurement plans while maintaining technical oversight.
  • Negotiate supplier terms to mitigate commercial risks and protect GITAI's interests.
  • Review quotes and proposals to identify and address potential risks early on.
  • Collaborate with technical teams to understand program urgency and supplier trade-offs.
  • Push suppliers for rapid engagement while managing relationships and expectations.
  • Ensure compliance and maintain oversight in government program contexts.

Benefits

  • 100% company-paid health, dental, and vision insurance for employees; 90% for dependents.
  • 401(k) with company match up to 3.5% and traditional/Roth options.
  • Eligibility for stock options based on role.
  • Relocation support for qualifying positions.
  • 12 paid holidays and 12 days of paid vacation annually, plus paid sick leave according to the law.
  • Office perks including free snacks, drinks, and regular team events.
Full Job Description
Your Mission

GITAI builds space and defense hardware through deep vertical integration. We design, prototype, test, and manufacture as much as possible in-house, and rely on suppliers where they can help us move faster. Your job is to make that supply chain work. You will work directly with engineers and program teams to source parts, materials, manufacturing services, and specialized hardware needed for fast-moving development and defense programs. You will own the day-to-day procurement execution from RFQ through delivery. This is a hands-on role. You will find suppliers, get quotes, negotiate terms, place orders, push on lead times, resolve commercial issues, and make sure critical hardware arrives when the team needs it. You will often be negotiating without the purchasing power of a large aerospace prime. Good judgment, persistence, speed, and supplier relationships matter.

What You'll Drive
  • Own procurement from RFQ through delivery for assigned hardware and defense programs.
  • Source machined parts, PCBAs, harnesses, test hardware, raw materials, components, and engineering services.
  • Work directly with engineers to understand technical requirements, schedules, and supplier needs.
  • Evaluate suppliers and quotes based on cost, lead time, quality, capacity, and risk.
  • Negotiate pricing, payment terms, delivery commitments, and other commercial terms.
  • Drive supplier follow-up, resolve delivery issues, and keep critical hardware on schedule.
  • Maintain clear visibility into open POs, supplier commitments, lead times, and program risks.


What We're Looking For
  • A degree in engineering, supply chain management, manufacturing, operations management, or a related field.
  • Experience in procurement, sourcing, or supplier management for physical hardware.
  • Experience working with technical suppliers in aerospace, defense, robotics, automotive, or another hardware environment.
  • Strong supplier negotiation skills across pricing, lead time, payment terms, and commercial conditions.
  • Ability to work directly with engineers and turn technical requirements into supplier actions.
  • Comfort operating with short timelines, changing requirements, and incomplete processes.
  • U.S. citizenship is required. Candidates must be able to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance if required.


Location & Employment Details
  • Location: Torrance, CA (onsite). This is a full-time onsite role based at GITAI's office in Torrance, CA. This position requires working onsite five days per week. Remote or hybrid work is not expected for this role. Occasional travel to supplier sites may be required as needed to support supplier engagement, negotiations, delivery follow-up, inspections, or other program needs.
  • Employment Type: Full-time, Exempt
  • Compensation: Base salary for this role is expected to range from $110,000 to $145,000 per year. Final title, compensation, and equity will depend on the candidate's experience with technical procurement, supplier negotiation, defense programs, export-controlled environments, and ability to build a strong procurement function for engineering-driven hardware programs.
  • Typical Work Hours: Monday to Friday, approximately 9:00am - 6:00pm (onsite). Flexibility is expected based on mission schedules and program needs.


Benefits
  • Health Insurance - Platinum medical plan with 100% company-paid medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees; 90% for dependents
  • 401(k) Plan - Company match up to 3.5%, with traditional and Roth options
  • Equity - Stock option eligibility depending on role
  • Relocation Support - Available for qualifying positions
  • Time Off - 12 paid holidays per year, 12 days of paid vacation per year, and paid sick leave (in accordance with applicable law)
  • Office Perks - Free snacks and drinks, plus regular team events


No agency submissions, please.

Compensation may include base salary or hourly pay and, depending on the position, equity. Actual compensation will be determined based on experience, skillset, and other job-related factors.

LA salary range

$110,000-$145,000 USD

Similar Jobs

More Jobs at GITAI

More Aerospace & Defense Jobs

Find similar Senior Supply Chain Specialist jobs: