Buyer

A New Paradigm For Space Operations. Who We Are: Space Kinetic is a dual use space technology startup building a completely new architecture for space operations – one that brings the advantages of proliferated drone technology (low-cost, operationally flexible, attainable, distributed) to space missions while reducing the ecosystem's reliance on consumable fuel. In a world where many companies are focused on incrementally improving the status quo, we are focused on creating something entirely different – an architecture underpinned by new first principles to meet the opportunities and challenges of the third space age head-on. Our goal is to move away from one-to-one space architectures – where each satellite in a constellation has one (or a small # of) primary payloads attached to the bus -- and unlock a ‘one-to-many’ system, where each satellite has a large number of payloads which can be deployed from their host spacecraft at high velocities without firing a thruster. This is not a role for someone looking for a traditional 40-hour work week. Space Kinetic is building ambitious, first-of-its-kind technology, and that requires urgency, ownership, and a high level of commitment to changing the foundational assumptions for everything we do in space. What You'll Do: As a Buyer , you will support engineering and manufacturing by procuring the materials, components, and services required to rapidly develop and build next-generation aerospace hardware. You will work directly with engineers and suppliers to source technically complex components, manage purchasing activities, and ensure critical hardware arrives on schedule in a fast-paced environment where priorities can change quickly. Job Responsibilities: Procurement & Purchasing: Purchase aerospace components, raw materials, machined parts, electronics, electromechanical assemblies, and engineering services. Purchase Order Management: Create and manage purchase orders, track delivery schedules, and expedite critical materials to support engineering and manufacturing milestones. Supplier Sourcing: Issue RFQs, evaluate proposals, negotiate pricing and lead times, and identify alternate suppliers when technical or schedule risks arise. Engineering Support: Partner with engineering teams to understand technical requirements, source prototype and production hardware, and support ECOs and design revisions. Supplier Management: Develop supplier relationships, onboard new vendors, and monitor performance across quality, delivery, responsiveness, and cost. Issue Resolution: Work with suppliers and internal teams to resolve delivery, quality, pricing, and documentation issues. Material Coordination: Coordinate with Manufacturing and Supply Chain to maintain material availability, support receiving, and ensure accurate inventory and ERP transactions. Process Improvement: Improve purchasing workflows, identify cost-saving opportunities, and implement procurement and supplier-development best practices without compromising quality or schedule. What It Takes: Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, Manufacturing, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience. 3+ years of purchasing or procurement experience in aerospace, defense, manufacturing, or another high-technology industry. Experience purchasing technical or engineered components and supporting prototype or production programs. Experience using ERP or MRP systems such as NetSuite, Microsoft Dynamics, SAP, Oracle, or a similar platform. Ability to manage multiple suppliers, purchase orders, and shifting priorities in a fast-paced startup environment. Strong negotiation, organization, communication, and problem-solving skills. Excellent attention to detail and ability to collaborate directly with engineering and manufacturing team What We'd Love: Aerospace, spacecraft, or defense manufacturing experience. Experience purchasing machined components, electronics, composites, or electromechanical a…