The Role
The Supply Chain Lead will develop and execute strategies for sourcing and logistics of advanced quantum hardware, while ensuring compliance and managing supplier relationships for high-precision components.
Summary Generated by Built In
Rigetti Computing is building the world’s most powerful computers to solve humanity’s most pressing problems. We believe this technology will fundamentally change the world for the better and will affect nearly every industry over the coming decades.
As Supply Chain Lead, you will have responsibilities from end-to-end in supply chain strategy, operations, and execution for advanced quantum hardware and subsystem components. You will manage high-complexity sourcing, logistics, partner relationships, risk mitigation, and continuous optimization to support scalable quantum system builds. And you’ll partner closely with engineering, product, operations, and quality teams to deliver mission-critical supply of high-precision components under tight tolerances, lead times, and regulatory constraints. This role requires someone who can navigate a nascent, high-technology supply base (e.g. for lasers, optics, cryogenic systems, control electronics, qubit materials) and build robust supply chains under uncertainty.
Key Responsibilities
- Strategic Planning:
- Develop and execute the supply chain strategy for quantum hardware and associated subsystems (e.g. cryogenics, control electronics, photonics)
- Translate product roadmaps and demand forecasts into supply chain plans, capacity needs, and sourcing strategies
- Drive cost reduction, total cost of ownership (TCO) optimization, and margin improvement across supply chain
- Ensure compliance with export control, ITAR, trade, and security requirements
- Sourcing & Supplier Management
- Identify, qualify, and manage strategic suppliers for highly specialized and precision components
- Assist with negotiating contracts, pricing, lead times, and terms, balancing cost, quality, and supply risk
- Conduct supplier audits, capability development, and continuous improvement programs
- Help us build a program of supplier scorecards and SLAs; escalate and remediate supplier performance issues
- Supply Chain Operations & Logistics
- Oversee procurement, inventory management, and material flow (incoming, internal, intersite transfers)
- Develop a systematic approach to handle high volume purchase requisitions: volume is 50-100 POs per week placed
- Manage inbound logistics, customs, import/export compliance, and coordination with freight forwarders
- Lead demand-driven supply execution, order placement, expediting, and order change management
- Collaborate with operations/assembly teams to align material availability with production schedules
- Pick/Pack and Ship domestic and international shipments using designated brokers (Fed Ex , UPS )
- Cross-Functional Collaboration & Leadership
- Partner with engineering, product, operations, quality, and finance to ensure alignment
- Lead cross-functional supply chain reviews, design for supplyability, and change control
- Mentor and manage junior supply chain staff or buyers
- Communicate status, risks, and mitigation plans to senior leadership
Required Qualifications & Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Engineering, Physics, Materials Science, or related field; advanced degree a plus
- 8–12+ years of progressively responsible supply chain / procurement experience in high-tech, manufacturing, aerospace, or similar fields
- Demonstrated success managing supply chains for precision, high-reliability, or specialized subsystems (e.g. optics, electronics, vacuum, cooling)
- Team player that works well with all departments (Manufacturing, Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing Eng, Doc Control, etc.)
- Supplier negotiation, contract management, and supplier development skills
- Experience with global sourcing, import/export compliance, logistics, and customs
- Excellent analytical, modeling, and planning skills
- Strong leadership, cross-functional communication, and stakeholder management
- Experience with supply chain / ERP / planning software tools; preferably NetSuite
Nice-to-Have
- Experience in quantum, semiconductor, cryogenics, or related advanced technology supply chains
- Working knowledge and experience in one or more of the following commodities: RF cables, Machining, Sheet Metal, Floor Stock , and Mechanical /Electrical Assys
- Knowledge of export controls, ITAR, EAR, security, and trade compliance
- Experience in risk modeling, scenario planning, or resilience engineering
- Familiarity with emerging technologies (e.g. quantum-classical hybrid, quantum-inspired algorithms for supply optimization)
- Experience working with small startups or scaling supply chains under high uncertainty
- Formal training or certification in Lean, Six Sigma, supply chain excellence
As engineering leaders, we value diversity and are committed to building a culture of inclusion to attract and engage innovative thinkers. Our technology, meant to serve all of humanity, cannot succeed if those who built it do not mirror the diversity of the communities we serve. Applications from women, minorities, and other under-represented groups are encouraged.
About Rigetti
Rigetti Computing is a pioneer in full-stack quantum computing. The company has operated quantum computers over the cloud since 2017 and serves global enterprise, government, and research clients through its Rigetti Quantum Cloud Services platform. The company’s proprietary quantum-classical infrastructure provides ultra-low latency integration with public and private clouds for high-performance practical quantum computing. Rigetti has developed the industry’s first multi-chip quantum processor for scalable quantum computing systems. The company designs and manufactures its chips in-house at Fab-1, the industry’s first dedicated and integrated quantum device manufacturing facility. Rigetti was founded in 2013 and today employs more than 150 people with offices in the United States, U.K., and Australia. Learn more at www.rigetti.com.
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Export Licensing Compliance
Rigetti is committed to full compliance with applicable anti-discrimination laws. We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We strive to create an inclusive work environment and will not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.
Top Skills
Erp
NetSuite
Supply Chain
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The Company
What We Do
Rigetti Computing is building the world’s most powerful computers to help solve humanity’s most pressing and important problems. These systems will perform computations that today’s fastest supercomputers are incapable of — unlocking entirely new classes of problems and offering a direct path to solutions. We believe quantum computing is going to significantly affect health care, how we treat disease, how we generate energy, and how we feed humanity. Our superconducting quantum computing systems are available over the cloud via Rigetti Quantum Cloud Services.
We were founded in 2013 by Chad Rigetti. We are located in Berkeley and Fremont, California, and have employees based all over the world.
