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. SOURCING SPECIALIST, INDIRECT
We are a progressive procurement organization pushing the boundaries of traditional procurement reputation and methodologies. We are looking for individuals who can think outside the box to achieve company objectives regarding value and partnerships with our suppliers. Our organization moves quickly, and you must too. SpaceX has the unique ability and desire to influence and shape suppliers to be better with us as we challenge our supply chain on cost, quality, and delivery. This role sits within our purchasing department, a team that is focused on our corporate functions. You would be responsible for machinery and equipment supporting Hawthorne production programs including Starship, Raptor, Starlink, Falcon, Dragon, Starfall, and NDE. We are looking for the right person who is equipped and ready for these challenges to join our team.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Identify and execute projects to completion including planning, coordinating with stakeholders, and communicating project updates.
- Utilize negotiations to maximize value and cost savings benefits while lowering risk.
- Establish preferred suppliers for assigned categories. Identify service areas of need within SpaceX and develop relationships with new suppliers to meet those needs. Maintain supplier base as needed to allow for proper implementation of bidding procedures and RFP's. Create and implement management programs to develop, continuously improve, manage the performance of, and monitor (KPI's) key performance indicators of the supply base that include but are not limited to on-time delivery, payment terms, cash targets, and cost savings.
- Develop and maintain key internal stakeholder relationships to create a collaborative environment focused on delivering services and materials on time. Communicate, manage, and drive compliance to category strategies among SpaceX internal stakeholders.
- Source production machinery and equipment for Hawthorne programs, including cranes, calibration equipment and services, equipment maintenance, commissioning and decommissioning, equipment moves, and rigging.
- Manage rental equipment and storage suppliers and lead companywide asset resale. Support recovery and launch operations equipment requirements at Long Beach and Vandenberg.
- Benchmark, track, and analyze annual performance metrics and sourcing trends against budget on a monthly basis to demonstrate continuous improvement and progress against strategic objectives.
- Assist in the authoring of contract documents with the Legal Department. Management of contracts ensuring performance of the supplier to contract obligations. Understand interrelationships between contracts and terms while applying creativity and sound business reasoning to interpret application of contract to business needs.
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:
- Purchasing.
- Contract negotiation.
- Operations or supply chain management.
PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
- 3+ years of procurement experience with indirect categories (machinery and equipment, capital equipment, MRO, calibration, facilities, services).
- Effective written and verbal communications skills, with strong ability to communicate to all levels of internal personnel.
- Strong skills in data analysis using Excel, SQL and PowerBI.
- Exceptional analytical and organizational skills.
- Remarkable problem solving skills.
- Ability to prioritize appropriately to meet internal customer and company needs.
- Detail-oriented, self-motivated and able to respond quickly to a fast-moving and ever-changing environment.
- Proven success working on cross-functional production equipment and capital projects, completing cost models, and negotiating.
- Holds self to highest ethical standards, and conducts all activities with the highest of integrity.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Must be able to travel up to 10% work week travel may be required, including international travel.
- Able to work long hours and 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 - $110,000.00
Level 2: $100,000.00 - $135,000.00
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 [email protected].
Skills Required
- Advanced degree
- Bachelor's degree and 2+ years of experience in purchasing, contract negotiation, operations, or supply chain management
- 6+ years of experience in purchasing, contract negotiation, operations, or supply chain management
- 3+ years of procurement experience with indirect categories, such as machinery and equipment, capital equipment, MRO, calibration, facilities, or services
- Effective written and verbal communication skills
- Strong data analysis skills using Excel, SQL, and Power BI
- Analytical, organizational, problem-solving, prioritization, and project management skills
- Experience with cross-functional production equipment and capital projects, cost models, and negotiations
- Ability to work long hours and weekends as needed
- Ability to travel up to 10%, including international travel
- Ability to work onsite in Hawthorne, California
- Must meet ITAR eligibility requirements or be eligible to obtain required U.S. Department of State authorizations
SpaceX Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about SpaceX and has not been reviewed or approved by SpaceX.
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Equity Value & Accessibility — Equity grants are a core part of total compensation, with periodic company-run tender offers that create liquidity before any public listing. These mechanisms can make the equity component feel materially valuable in practice.
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Healthcare Strength — The package includes comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, with on-site clinics and health resources at major sites. This breadth of coverage is presented as a strong element of the offering.
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Wellbeing & Lifestyle Benefits — Major locations feature on-site amenities such as fitness facilities, food/coffee, clinics, and other conveniences. These lifestyle perks enhance day-to-day value alongside cash and equity.
SpaceX Insights
What We Do
SpaceX designs, manufactures and launches the world’s most advanced rockets and spacecraft. The company was founded in 2002 by Elon Musk to revolutionize space transportation, with the ultimate goal of making life multiplanetary. SpaceX has gained worldwide attention for a series of historic milestones. It is the only private company ever to return a spacecraft from low-Earth orbit, which it first accomplished in December 2010. The company made history again in May 2012 when its Dragon spacecraft attached to the International Space Station, exchanged cargo payloads, and returned safely to Earth — a technically challenging feat previously accomplished only by governments. Since then Dragon has delivered cargo to and from the space station multiple times, providing regular cargo resupply missions for NASA.
