SOURCING MANAGER, RACK COMPONENTS, ELECTRONICS (STARLINK) We are seeking a world-class Sourcing Manager to own end-to-end sourcing strategy, supplier management, and delivery of rack-level electronics for SpaceXAI compute and network hardware. In this role you will partner deeply with responsible engineers and power architects to define commodity strategy, craft and optimize Statements of Work (SOW), aggressively challenge unnecessary specifications and costs, and drive supplier execution at extreme velocity and scale. You will elevate OEM and component relationships into true strategic partnerships that deliver unprecedented on-time delivery, quality, cost efficiency, and flexibility while powering SpaceX's record-breaking cluster deployment cadence. The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in datacenter rack power electronics, thrives in high-ambiguity/high-velocity environments, and turns rack-level electrical sourcing into a core competitive advantage and force multiplier for SpaceX's AI infrastructure leadership.
RESPONSIBILITIES:- Partner deeply with responsible engineers, power architects, and hardware teams to co-define commodity strategy, multi-year technology roadmaps, and approved vendor lists for rack-level electronics- intelligent rack PDUs (rPDU), busbars and power distribution (including OCP ORv3 / 48V and high-voltage AC architectures), rack ATS/STS, energy meters and CTs, environmental and leak sensors, rack management controllers, status and bezel electronics, grounding and bonding kits, and rack power cable assemblies- anticipating SpaceXAI density and deployment requirements 12-24 months ahead
- Own global sourcing end-to-end for rack electronics, including supplier selection, qualification, dual/multi-sourcing, capacity reservation, and performance governance to achieve on-time delivery and continuous lead-time compression while supporting SpaceX's aggressive cluster build cadence
- Define and negotiate transformative SOWs and commercial agreements that rigorously challenge unnecessary specifications, drive value engineering of PDU SKUs and busbar designs, secure aggressive pricing, dedicated capacity, and flexibility without compromising the power quality, monitoring accuracy, and reliability standards required for SpaceX training clusters
- Drive continuous cost leadership through should-cost modeling of rack PDUs and busbar assemblies, design-for-manufacturability reviews, SKU rationalization, and long-term pricing agreements that meaningfully reduce total cost of ownership while accelerating time-to-scale
- Act as the supplier interface for all RFIs, RFPs, and RFQs; visit supplier facilities and accurately assess operational capability, electrical safety certification status (UL/IEC), financial health, and capacity before awarding contracts in support of NPI and long-term production
- Monitor global industry trends in rack power (48V, 400V, busbar vs. cable, intelligent PDU firmware/telemetry), track supplier technology roadmaps, and actively partner with design teams to identify and mitigate supply, second-source, and obsolescence risks before they hit the factory or the cluster
- Standardize and automate NPI-to-mass-production processes, implement inventory and WIP optimization models (including consignment and just-in-time tailored to SpaceX's build velocity), and establish clear KPIs for cost, quality, speed, yield, and resilience that are reviewed weekly with leadership
- Present value propositions to executives, including those related to contract award, cost reviews, cost-reduction strategies, and critical supply issues on the rack electronics bill of materials
- Build and maintain a world-class supply base through strategic relationships with PDU OEMs, busbar fabricators, sensor and controller suppliers, and cable-assembly partners; run regular executive business reviews and performance scorecards that position SpaceX as the preferred high-velocity partner
- Stay at the forefront of rack-level power electronics, telemetry, and electrical distribution; translate those trends into actionable sourcing strategies that keep SpaceXAI at the bleeding edge of rack density, power efficiency, and deployment speed
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:- Bachelor's degree and 6+ years of experience working in one or more of the following; or 9+ years of experience working in one or more of the following in lieu of a degree:
- Business
- Manufacturing
- Supply Chain
- Engineering
- 4+ years of experience in global supply chain, commodity management, or electronics sourcing with a focus on datacenter power distribution, PDUs, busbars, or rack-level electrical components
PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:- Deep technical understanding of rack-level power electronics: intelligent PDUs, busbar systems, OCP Open Rack / ORv3 power architectures, 48V DC distribution, rack ATS/STS, power monitoring, and environmental sensing
- Proven track record sourcing electrical commodities at hyperscale, in server/rack OEM environments, or at PDU / busbar / power-electronics suppliers (e.g. Vertiv, Eaton, Schneider, Rittal, busbar specialists)
- Hands-on familiarity with electrical drawings, single-line diagrams, UL/IEC certification, firmware/telemetry on intelligent PDUs, and the difference between rack-level vs. facility-level electrical scope
- Previous experience at hyperscalers, leading ODMs, Tier-1 CMs, or AI infrastructure companies with aggressive scaling demands
- Demonstrated success negotiating complex SOWs, challenging specifications and costs, and delivering results in ambiguous, high-velocity environments with extreme timelines and massive scale
- Experience reading technical drawings, data sheets, BOMs, and related files; comfort partnering with electrical and mechanical engineers on specification trade-offs
- Strong negotiation, analytical, project management, and cross-functional collaboration skills
- Familiarity with commodity management, roadmap planning, and approved vendor list processes in a manufacturing context
- Passion for SpaceX's mission and excitement about enabling the fastest AI infrastructure builds on Earth
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:- Willingness to travel domestically and internationally as needed (up to 25%) to support supplier factories, audits, and critical projects
- Ability to work extended hours and/or weekends as needed to meet major cluster-deployment milestones
- Ability to thrive in a dynamic environment with rapidly evolving priorities and world-class execution speed
- This position is based in Austin, TX and requires being onsite - remote work not considered
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.
