SpaceX

Sr. Sourcing Specialist (Starship)

SpaceX$85K — $130K *
Aerospace & Defense
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Advanced degree or bachelor's with 2+ years experience in engineering, supply chain, purchasing, or related fields; or 6+ years in similar roles.
  • Proven record in contract negotiation, material planning, or operations management.
  • Strong understanding of manufacturing processes and equipment, including precision machining.
  • Experience with MRP/ERP systems and managing bills of materials and purchase orders.
  • Proficient in data analysis tools like Excel, SQL, and Power BI.

Responsibilities

  • Own sourcing activities for precision-machined components and complex manufactured parts.
  • Negotiate and manage purchase orders ensuring alignment with technical and cost specifications.
  • Forecast demand and manage purchase orders to support production schedules.
  • Track supplier performance in quality, delivery, and cost.
  • Interpret engineering drawings to select optimal suppliers.
  • Communicate design changes to suppliers to minimize lead times.
  • Proactively solve complex supply chain problems in a dynamic environment.
  • Build relationships with stakeholders to foster alignment during product lifecycle.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage.
  • 401(k) retirement plan with company contributions.
  • Paid parental leave and short/long-term disability insurance.
  • Potential long-term incentives, stock options, and discretionary bonuses.
  • Accrual of 3 weeks of paid vacation and 10+ paid holidays per year.
Full Job Description
SR. SOURCING SPECIALIST (STARSHIP)

SpaceX is seeking a Sr. Sourcing Specialist with a demonstrated track record of extreme ownership and a high sense of agency to own end-to-end procurement and fulfillment of critical mechanical hardware in support of the Starship program. Supply chain functions at SpaceX include procurement, planning and fulfillment, supplier development and quality, logistics, and inventory.

RESPONSIBILITIES:
  • Own sourcing activities across a range of commodities, including precision-machined components, outside processes (e.g., heat treat, coatings), forgings, castings, and other complex manufactured parts.
  • Quote, negotiate, and place purchase orders for precision-machined components while ensuring alignment with technical specifications, cost targets, and delivery schedules.
  • Forecast demand, evaluate supplier capacity, and proactively manage purchase orders to ensure uninterrupted supply of piece parts in support of aggressive development and production schedules.
  • Track and drive supplier performance across quality, delivery, responsiveness, and cost in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
  • Interpret engineering drawings and technical specifications to select and align with suppliers that deliver optimal manufacturability, quality, and cost efficiency.
  • Manage frequent design changes by clearly communicating updates to the supply base, minimizing downtime, and reducing lead times through proactive coordination.
  • Take initiative to solve complex, open-ended supply chain problems in an ambiguous, fast-evolving environment to ensure continuity of supply.
  • Build and maintain strong relationships with key internal and external stakeholders to drive alignment, foster collaboration, and enable effective change management throughout the product lifecycle.
  • Consistently deliver results with a high level of efficiency and effectiveness, balancing speed and accuracy to meet critical program deadlines.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
  • Advanced degree; or bachelor's degree and 2+ years of experience working in one or more of the following; or 6+ years of experience working in one or more of the following:
    • Engineering
    • Supply Chain
    • Purchasing
    • Contract negotiation
    • Material or production planning
    • Operations management
    • Material cost control
    • Master production scheduling

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
  • Experience leveraging AI tools and large language models to accelerate sourcing activities, including supplier research, cost analysis, demand forecasting, risk assessment, and contract review.
  • Demonstrated ability to operate in ambiguous situations, work across organizational boundaries, and rapidly self-learn and apply new tools and techniques.
  • Experience leading supplier development, qualification, and onboarding activities to expand and diversify the supply base for high-rate production.
  • Strong data analysis skills using Excel, SQL, and Power BI.
  • Experience with MRP/ERP systems and managing bills of materials, work orders, and purchase orders.
  • Detail-oriented, self-motivated, and able to thrive and prioritize in a fast-moving, ever-changing environment with multiple concurrent projects.
  • Experience with forecasting, demand planning, and lead time analysis
  • Proven track record of achieving results with the ability to quantify impact.
  • Solid understanding of common manufacturing processes and equipment, including mills, lathes, forgings, castings, heat treatment, and coatings.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to interface effectively at all levels of the organization.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
  • Ability to travel domestically and internationally up to 15%.
  • Ability to work extended hours and/or weekends as needed.
  • This position is based in Hawthorne, CA and requires being onsite - remote work not considered
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Pay Range:
Level 1: $85,000.00 - $100,000.00
Level 2: $100,000.00 - $130,000.00

Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.

Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at SpaceX. You may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of company stock or long-term cash awards, as well as potential discretionary bonuses and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation and will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year. Employees accrue paid sick leave pursuant to Company policy which satisfies or exceeds the accrual, carryover, and use requirements of the law.

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.
Learn more about SpaceX
Size
8,000 employees
Industry
Founded
2002

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