Key Responsibilities
Lead, coach, and develop the supply chain team, including hiring, goal setting, performance reviews, and workload planning
Set team priorities, metrics, and standards, documentation and build a culture of accountability and clear communication
Scale the team and its processes as program volume grows
Scale the supplier base to enable global impact
Own the procurement strategy for flight hardware, materials, electronics, machined parts, test services, and subcontracts
Source, qualify, and manage suppliers, including negotiating pricing, terms, lead times, and quality requirements
Build and maintain approved supplier lists, supplier scorecards, and periodic supplier assessments
Build and maintain strong relationships with suppliers and vendors, ensuring quality standards, competitive pricing, and reliable delivery schedules
Manage supplier performance issues, corrective actions, and escalations with Quality and Engineering
Manage supply risk, including long-lead items, single-source suppliers, obsolescence, and counterfeit part prevention
Ensure purchase orders and subcontracts include the correct FAR, DFARS, and NASA FAR Supplement (NFS) clauses and customer flow-downs
Manage subcontract compliance topics such as DPAS ratings, specialty metals, counterfeit parts, small business subcontracting, and supplier cybersecurity requirements
Support customer and government audits, purchasing system reviews, and proposal and cost or pricing support
Ensure procurement and logistics activities comply with ITAR and EAR, including supplier screening, license and agreement requirements, and U.S. person restrictions
Work with the Empowered Official and legal counsel on export classifications, technical assistance agreements, licenses, and technical data transfers
Manage international shipments, customs, import and export documentation, and freight forwarders, including hardware and data flowing to and from our Japan office
Maintain export compliance training, recordkeeping, and internal controls within the supply chain function
Partner with legal team to ensure supply chain complies with regulatory requirements including ITAR and export control laws
Work directly with mechanical, electrical, and systems engineers to understand requirements, review BOMs, and source parts that meet technical and schedule needs
Provide program management with early input on lead times, cost, supplier capability, and alternates during design
Partner with Production and AI&T to align material availability with build and test schedules
Coordinate with Quality on receiving inspection, nonconforming material, and supplier corrective actions
Team Leadership
Procurement & Supplier Management
Government Contracts Compliance (FAR / DFARS)
Engineering Partnership & Program Support
Basic Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience
10+ years of supply chain, procurement, or subcontracts experience, ideally in aerospace, space, or defense, including at least 4 years leading people
Hands-on experience with FAR and DFARS requirements in procurement and subcontracting
Hands-on experience with ITAR and export control compliance in a supply chain setting
Proven experience managing suppliers, negotiating contracts, and resolving supply issues on complex hardware
Experience building or improving procurement processes, policies, and systems
Experience with ERP/MRP systems and supply chain metrics
Ability to read and discuss engineering drawings, BOMs, and specifications well enough to work effectively with engineers
Strong leadership, communication, and negotiation skills
Results-driven mindset with a focus on innovation and continuous improvement
Ability to thrive in a dynamic, startup environment paired with strong analytical and problem-solving skills
What Makes You Stand Out!
Experience with spaceflight hardware programs, NASA contracts, or NASA FAR Supplement requirements
Experience with international supply chains and working with overseas partners or affiliates
Familiarity with AS9100, counterfeit parts prevention (AS5553 / AS6174), and flight-quality supplier requirements
Experience with NIST SP 800-171 or CMMC requirements for suppliers
Professional certifications such as CPSM, CPM, CSCP, or CFCM
Experience with EEE parts, raw materials, or long-lead flight hardware procurement
Experience in a startup or fast-growing company environment
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience
- 10+ years of supply chain, procurement, or subcontracts experience, ideally in aerospace, space, or defense
- At least 4 years of experience leading people
- Hands-on experience with FAR and DFARS requirements in procurement and subcontracting
- Hands-on experience with ITAR and export control compliance in a supply chain setting
- Experience managing suppliers, negotiating contracts, and resolving supply issues on complex hardware
- Experience building or improving procurement processes, policies, and systems
- Experience with ERP/MRP systems and supply chain metrics
- Ability to read and discuss engineering drawings, bills of materials, and specifications
- Strong leadership, communication, and negotiation skills
- Analytical, problem-solving, results-driven, and continuous-improvement capabilities
- Ability to thrive in a dynamic startup environment
- Experience with spaceflight hardware programs, NASA contracts, or NASA FAR Supplement requirements
- Experience with international supply chains and overseas partners or affiliates
- Familiarity with AS9100, counterfeit parts prevention, and flight-quality supplier requirements
- Experience with NIST SP 800-171 or CMMC supplier requirements
- Professional certification such as CPSM, CPM, CSCP, or CFCM
- Experience procuring EEE parts, raw materials, or long-lead flight hardware
- Experience in a startup or fast-growing company environment
What We Do
ispace is a lunar exploration company with a vision to extend human presence to outer space. The company is developing lunar landers and rovers to deliver customer payloads to the Moon and explore the lunar surface. In doing so, we aim to be a vehicle for companies on Earth to access new business opportunities on the Moon and ultimately incorporate the Moon into Earth’s economic and living sphere. The company is currently planning to its first mission to the Moon as early as Q4 2022.









