Sr. Sourcing Specialist, Mechanical (Starship)

SpaceX is committed to revolutionizing space travel, with the Starship program at the forefront of this mission. We are seeking a Sr. Sourcing specialist with a track record of extreme ownership and a high sense of agency to lead procurement and fulfillment of valve hardware necessary for mission success. The functions within the supply chain department include procurement, planning and fulfillment, supplier development and quality, logistics and inventory.

• →Manage sourcing activities across a range of supported commodities including precision machined components, outside processes (e.g. heat treat, coatings, etc.), forgings, castings, and other complex manufactured parts.
• →Quote out, negotiate, and place purchase orders for precision-machined valve components, 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 valve components in support of development and production schedules.
• →Track and drive supplier performance metrics – such as quality, delivery, responsiveness, and cost – in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• →Interpret engineering drawings and technical specifications to align sourcing activities with suppliers possessing the optimal capabilities, ensuring manufacturability, quality, and cost efficiency.
• →Manage frequent design changes by clearly and effectively communicating updates to the supply base, minimizing unproductive downtime and reducing lead times through proactive coordination.
• →Taking the initiative to solve complex, open-ended supply chain problems in an ambiguous fast-evolving environment to ensure continuity of supply.
• →Develop and maintain strong relationships with key internal and external stakeholders to confirm alignment, foster collaboration, and enable effective change management throughout the product lifecycle.
• →Consistently complete tasks with a high level of efficiency and effectiveness, balancing speed and accuracy to meet critical program deadlines.

• 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

• Strong skills in data analysis using Excel, SQL and PowerBI
• Experience with MRP or enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, and with managing bill of materials, work orders, and purchase orders
• Detail-oriented, self-motivated and able to respond quickly to a fast-moving and ever-changing environment. Capability to prioritize multiple on-going projects
• Experience with forecasting, demand planning, and lead time analysis
• Strong track record for achieving results; must be able to reference wins and quantify impact
• Solid understanding of common manufacturing processes and machines including mills, lathes, forgings, castings, heat treatment, coatings, etc.
• Effective written and verbal communications skills, with strong ability to communicate to all levels of internal personnel
• Demonstrated ability to work in ambiguous situations and across organizational boundaries. History of self-learning & application of newly learned tools & techniques
• Ability to learn quickly and prioritize appropriately to meet customer and company needs

• This position is based in Hawthorne, CA and requires being onsite - remote work not considered
• Must be able to travel - up to 15% of work week travel may be required, including international travel
• Must be able to work extended hours and/or weekends as needed

• 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. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.  

SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with SpaceX is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.

Applicants wishing to view a copy of SpaceX’s Affirmative Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to [email protected].