SpaceX was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is out exploring the stars is fundamentally more exciting than one where we are not. Today SpaceX is actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal of enabling human life on Mars.
SR. GLOBAL SUPPLY MANAGER (FALCON/DRAGON/STARFALL)
Falcon 9, Falcon Heavy, and Dragon fly at a cadence the rest of the industry still treats as a goal. That only works if the right hardware is on the floor, at the right cost, from a supply base that can actually scale. SpaceX is looking for a Global Supply Manager to own a Falcon / Dragon commodity book end to end — strategy, source selection, contracts, coverage, cost, and continuity of supply.
You will run a live production supply base and partner with engineering, supplier development, planning, production, quality, finance, and legal. You will take competitive sourcing from RFQ to award, convert strategy into long-term agreements and purchase orders, and walk cost and risk into leadership review yourself. This is not a coordinator seat. You own the book.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Develop and execute global supply agreements and sourcing strategy for an assigned Falcon / Dragon commodity; ensure partners are tooled, capacitated, and ready for prototype, ramp, and rate production
- Own continuity of supply from concept through end of life, including coverage, need dates, dual-source, sub-tier risk, and escalation when delivery or quality is at risk
- Lead RFI, RFP, and RFQ processes with engineering, supplier development, quality, and planning; evaluate bids, present the sourcing recommendation, and close award
- Negotiate price, payment terms, capacity, lead time, and contract vehicles; place and manage purchase orders that hold cost targets without breaking delivery or quality
- Build should-cost and competitive-quote discipline; present value propositions to SpaceX management on contract award, cost reviews, cost-reduction strategy, and critical supply issues
- Develop commodity expertise — market trends, process capability, cost drivers, and supplier technical limits — and use it to inform design-for-manufacturability and source selection, not only commercial terms
- Build a commodity and technology roadmap aligned to future Falcon / Dragon rate and design changes; identify suppliers whose process portfolio matches that roadmap
- Define and report KPIs (coverage, on-time delivery, price, capacity, and supply risk) and drive internal and external process improvements from the data
- Serve as the liaison between supply chain and engineering for supplier down-select on new product introduction while holding or improving cost targets
- Develop and maintain strong supplier partnerships; secure the right resources on SpaceX programs and hold vendors to delivery, quality, and commercial commitments
- Issue and manage purchase orders, resolve invoices, and close the loop on quality and cost so tactical execution does not leak while strategy is being built
- Prepare clear sourcing recommendations that leadership can approve: spend, cost impact, need date, risk, and technical alignment — and own the result after award
- Guide junior sourcing, buying, or planning teammates; take ownership of team effort on cost and sourcing strategy for existing platforms and new product
- Conduct all activities with the highest level of integrity and in accordance with SpaceX procurement policy and procedure
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
Advanced degree and 9+ years of experience working in one or more of the following; or bachelor’s degree and 11+ years of experience working in one or more of the following; or 15+ years of experience working in one or more of the following in lieu of a degree:
- Engineering
- Purchasing
- Contract negotiation
- Material or production planning
- Operations or supply chain management
- Material cost control
- Master production scheduling
PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
- Experience managing a domestic and international production supply base through rate — not only new-product introduction or one-off buys
- Deep commodity experience in technical procurement: precision machining, raw material, tube bending, valves, mechanisms, welding, outside processing, or equivalent aerospace / automotive hardware
- Proven track record of owning a commodity book, negotiating preferred pricing, and delivering cost, coverage, and delivery results
- Strong individual negotiation skill with the ability to influence engineering, suppliers, and leadership
- Experience running RFX processes and converting them into long-term agreements or volume buys
- Experience planning purchases of commodity hardware and third-party services with product development, quality, finance, and production
- Exceptional analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills; advanced Excel and comfort building the analysis, not only reviewing it
- Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills, including the ability to put a cost and risk story in front of senior leadership and answer the first question
- Detail-oriented, self-motivated, and able to move quickly in a fast-changing production environment
- Experience mentoring junior sourcing, buying, or planning teammates
- Experience in aerospace, aviation, automotive, or other high-rate manufacturing supply chain
- Working knowledge of ERP / MRP purchasing systems (SAP, Oracle, or equivalent)
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Must be willing to work extended hours and weekends as needed to support production, launch, and critical supplier issues
- Willingness to travel to suppliers, other SpaceX sites, and source-inspection or recovery trips as required
- This is a hands-on role: expect time on the production floor, at the supplier, and in the data — not only in meetings
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:
Pay Range:
Level 3: $165,000.00 - $240,000.00
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.
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. § 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 EEOCompliance@spacex.com.
