The future of aerospace and defense starts here.
Ursa Major was founded to revolutionize how America and its allies access and apply high-performance propulsion, from hypersonics to solid rocket motors, satellite maneuvering and launch. We design and deliver propulsion and defense systems that solve the most urgent and critical national security demands.
The Director, Sourcing & Procurement is responsible for leading the strategic and operational procurement function across direct materials, supplier quality, and supplier engineering. This role will support efficient, scalable manufacturing operations within a fast-paced aerospace and defense environment. This role drives sourcing strategy, supplier performance, quality compliance, and supplier development initiatives to ensure continuity of supply, cost competitiveness, and operational excellence. The Director will partner cross-functionally with Engineering, Production, Quality, Program Management, and Finance to enable reliable execution of aerospace and defense programs while strengthening supplier capabilities and mitigating supply chain risk.
Responsibilities:
- Lead the end-to-end procurement function, including strategic sourcing, supplier management, supplier quality, and supplier engineering initiatives
- Develop, transform, and execute sourcing strategies that align with program requirements, production schedules, and long-term business objectives. Balance fast-paced development requirements with mature customer programs
- Establish and create category management strategy for supply base
- Build and maintain a high-performing supplier base capable of supporting aerospace and defense manufacturing requirements, including scalability, quality, delivery, and cost targets
- Lead supplier engineering efforts to improve supplier process capability, product conformity, and manufacturing readiness
- Manage supplier performance metrics, including on-time delivery, quality performance, responsiveness, and cost reduction initiatives
- Partner closely with Engineering and Manufacturing teams to support new product introduction (NPI), qualification activities, first article inspections (FAI), and supplier readiness for production ramp
- Drive supplier development and continuous improvement initiatives using root cause analysis, corrective actions, and process improvement methodologies
- Identify and mitigate supply chain risks, including long-lead material constraints, single-source dependencies, geopolitical concerns, and supplier capacity limitations
- Lead contract negotiations, pricing strategies, and supplier agreements to optimize cost, lead time, and commercial terms
- Ensure procurement and supplier management activities comply with aerospace and defense regulatory requirements, including ITAR/EAR and AS9100 standards
- Develop deep knowledge of ERP/MRP systems to improve procurement process including material visibility, purchasing efficiency, and inventory performance
- Partner cross-functionally with Quality, Operations, Planning, Program Management, and Finance to align procurement strategies with production and customer delivery commitments
- Drive process standardization, procurement policy improvements, and scalable systems to support organizational growth
- Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing procurement and supplier engineering team, fostering accountability and continuous improvement
- Provide regular reporting and strategic insights to executive leadership regarding supplier performance, material availability, procurement risk, and cost trends
- Other duties as assigned
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, Operations, or related field
- 10+ years of experience in procurement, supply chain, supplier quality, or supplier engineering within aerospace, defense, or advanced manufacturing environments
- Proven experience leading procurement and supplier management functions in a complex, cross-functional organization
- Strong expertise in strategic sourcing, supplier negotiations, cost management, and procurement operations
- Demonstrated experience managing supplier quality and supplier development initiatives in regulated manufacturing environments
- Experience supporting production scaling, new product introduction, and engineering-driven procurement activities
- Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, technical drawings, specifications, and quality systems
- Experience with ERP/MRP systems and procurement planning tools
- Strong leadership and team management experience
- Excellent analytical, communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills
Preferred Experience:
- Advanced degree (MBA or MS) in Supply Chain, Engineering, Operations, or related field
- Experience in a high-growth or startup aerospace and defense company
- Familiarity with rocket propulsion systems, complex machined components, castings, forgings, and long-lead materials
- Knowledge of aerospace quality and compliance standards, including AS9100, NADCAP, ITAR, and EAR requirements
- Experience leading supplier audits, qualification activities, and corrective action programs
- APICS/ASCM certification (e.g., CPIM, CSCP) and/or supplier quality certifications
- Experience implementing procurement process improvements and scalable supply chain systems
Working Conditions / Physical Demands
- Primarily office-based with regular interaction across operations, supply chain, engineering, quality, and manufacturing teams
- Occasional time spent in warehouse or production environments, requiring adherence to safety protocols
- Ability to sit or stand for extended periods and work on a computer for prolonged durations
- Occasionally required to lift up to 25 pounds (e.g., materials, documents, or equipment)
- Ability to travel up to 25% domestically to supplier sites, manufacturing partners, and company facilities as needed
Colorado law requires us to tell you the base compensation range of this role, which is $187,000 - $234,000, determined by your education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities. What we can’t quantify for you are the exciting challenges, supportive team, and amazing culture we enjoy.
Classification: Full-time Exempt
Benefits Include: (Please note, Interns are not eligible for benefits)
- Unlimited PTO - Vacation, Sick, Personal, and Bereavement
- Paid Parental and Adoptive Leave
- Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
- Tax Advantage Accounts (HSA/FSA)
- Employer Paid Short and Long Term Disability, Basic Life, AD&D
- Additional Benefit Options Including Voluntary Life and Emergency Medical Transport
- EAP Program
- Retirement Savings Plan - 401k with Company Match
- Equity Grants in the Company
How To Apply:
Interested candidates are encouraged to apply by filling out the application below and clicking "Submit Application". This position will be posted for a minimum of 3 days and will remain open until filled or adjusted based on the volume of applicants.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, Operations, or related field
- 10+ years of experience in procurement, supply chain, supplier quality, or supplier engineering
- Strong expertise in strategic sourcing, supplier negotiations, cost management
- Experience supporting production scaling and new product introduction
- Experience with ERP/MRP systems and procurement planning tools
What the Team is Saying
Ursa Major Compensation & Benefits Highlights
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — The package includes unlimited PTO spanning vacation, sick, personal, and bereavement time, plus two company‑wide weeklong breaks around July 4 and year‑end. These elements indicate structured downtime beyond standard holiday calendars.
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Healthcare Strength — Comprehensive coverage includes medical, dental, and vision alongside HSA/FSA, employer‑paid short‑ and long‑term disability, basic life, AD&D, and an EAP. The combination emphasizes both core medical care and income protection.
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Retirement Support — A 401(k) with company match is advertised together with equity grants/stock options. This pairing supports long‑term savings while offering ownership participation.
Ursa Major Insights
What We Do
Ursa Major was founded to address a critical shortfall in the U.S. industrial base and bring a new model to aerospace and defense systems: we design and manufacture the world’s leading propulsion systems for space, hypersonic applications, and missile systems. Our products and technologies require an extraordinary team – a team that will mold tomorrow’s technologies while deploying today’s best. We are an intrinsically motivated team that has a passion for solving problems and empowering each other every day to develop our skills, knowing that there is always room for growth.
Why Work With Us
We believe that each unique team member fuels the creativity necessary to build the world’s best propulsion systems. This is realized as a deeply held commitment to celebrating individuality, hiring talent across all backgrounds and experiences, building a culture of inclusion, and constantly challenging ourselves to improve.
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Ursa Major Offices
OnSite Workspace
Most employees work on-site with some positions allowing hybrid and/or remote work.
