Supply Chain Manager - Build the supplier base behind a next-generation interceptor

El Segundo, California | On-site

Opportunity Summary

This role builds the supply chain from the ground up, from sourcing prototype parts today to supporting production of the first interceptor product. You will identify and qualify suppliers, secure long-lead and hard-to-find components, negotiate terms, and ensure purchasing meets defense requirements. You will report to the head of business operations and work closely with every engineering lead and the program manager.

Interceptors rely on specialized inputs such as energetic materials, high-performance alloys and composites, precision electronics, and sensors, many with long lead times and few qualified sources. Your work will directly determine how fast the team can build and how many units it can deliver.

About Us

We are a seed-stage, venture-backed defense technology company building affordable, modular interceptors for air and missile defense, with surface-launched and space-based platforms in development. The team has already demonstrated autonomous intercepts and is moving quickly from prototype hardware into flight testing from our South Bay facility. We are a small group of engineers and operators who design, build, and test in-house, with a clear path toward scaled production for government customers.

Job Duties

• Identify, evaluate, and qualify suppliers for machined parts, composites, electronics, sensors, energetics, and motor components
• Build key supplier relationships and negotiate pricing, lead times, and terms
• Establish secondary sources for critical and single-source parts
• Flag long-lead and hard-to-source items early with engineering and secure them ahead of need
• Track supply risks such as shortages, sole sources, and supplier issues, and maintain mitigation plans
• Support make-vs-buy decisions with cost, lead time, and supplier data
• Develop sourcing plans and cost models for the move from prototypes to low-rate production
• Partner with engineering on design choices that reduce cost and improve availability
• Ensure purchasing complies with FAR and DFARS flowdowns, specialty metals rules, counterfeit-parts prevention, and ITAR
• Define supplier quality, inspection, and documentation requirements with engineering
• Stand up scalable purchasing, inventory, and supplier management processes and tools

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in supply chain management, engineering, business, or a related field, or equivalent experience
• 5+ years of supply chain, procurement, or sourcing experience in aerospace, defense, or complex hardware
• Experience sourcing custom and technical parts such as machined components, electronics, or composites
• Working knowledge of FAR, DFARS, and ITAR requirements
• Strong negotiation and supplier relationship management skills
• Comfortable working closely with engineers and understanding technical requirements
• U.S. Person status required (ITAR) and ability to obtain a U.S. security clearance

Preferred Experience

• Missile, rocket, or munitions supply chains, including energetic materials
• Scaling hardware from prototype to production
• Supplier quality systems such as AS9100
• ERP or purchasing system implementation
• Managing a small team
• Prior early-stage startup experience

Why Join Us

• Build the supply chain function from scratch
• Direct impact on build speed and production capacity
• Work alongside the founders, engineering leads, and program management
• Room to grow into a broader operations leadership role
• Early equity in a seed-stage company with a rapidly growing team
• Mission with direct national security impact

Compensation Details

$100,000 - $150,000 + equity