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Star Catcher is building the first energy grid in space to power the orbital economy. The company is developing wireless energy-beaming technology to deliver power to spacecraft's solar panels, enabling them to operate longer and with greater capability than current self-powered systems.
As Director of Supply Chain, you will lead the tactical and strategic execution of supply chain operations across all functions—strategic sourcing, subcontract management, cleanroom logistics, inventory control, and defense compliance. You will report directly to leadership and own the supply chain roadmap as the company scales from prototype fabrication through Low-Rate Initial Production (LRIP) and high-rate manufacturing.
Key responsibilities include:
**Enterprise Supply Chain Strategy & Leadership:** Architect the overall supply chain strategy to support production scaling. Build, mentor, and grow a high-performing supply chain team spanning procurement, subcontract management, inventory, and logistics. Identify, implement, or optimize ERP/MRP tools, vendor management systems, and BOM integration workflows in partnership with IT and Engineering. Oversee procurement budgeting, supplier risk management, and long-term hardware spend forecasting.
**Strategic Sourcing & Subcontracts:** Identify, qualify, and build relationships with domestic and international partners including machine shops, optical fabricators, and custom electronics manufacturers. Structure and negotiate subcontracts, Master Services Agreements, pricing agreements, and strategic buffer inventory programs. Develop dual-sourcing strategies, capacity modeling, and risk frameworks to minimize single-point-of-failure risks across critical hardware components.
**Defense Compliance & Quality Governance:** Guide supply chain alignment with export regulations (ITAR/EAR) and FAR/DFARS provisions including Berry Amendment and cybersecurity flow-downs. Collaborate with Quality Assurance on AS9100/ISO standards, first-article inspections, counterfeit prevention, supplier audits, and corrective action processes.
**Materials Management, Inventory & Logistics:** Oversee cleanroom receiving, specialized hardware handling, optical shipping/packaging protocols, customs clearing, and freight operations. Lead multi-site inventory oversight, kitting operations, safety stock strategies, and physical tracking of critical components. Work closely with Systems, Avionics, Mechanical Engineering, and Program Management to resolve material bottlenecks and align supplier deliverables with specifications.
**Requirements:**
- Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Engineering, Business, Operations, or related technical/field experience
- Track record of progressive supply chain, procurement, subcontracts, or hardware operations leadership within aerospace, defense, space systems, or high-tech advanced manufacturing environments
- Demonstrated ability to lead, mentor, and build supply chain teams and processes in a fast-paced environment
- Practical working knowledge of aerospace/defense regulatory considerations such as FAR/DFARS clauses, ITAR/EAR guidelines, and flow-down requirements
- Experience sourcing complex hardware components such as precision optics, custom machined parts, PCBAs, or specialized raw materials
- Must be a U.S. Person (U.S. Citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident) due to ITAR/EAR export control compliance requirements
**Preferred Qualifications:**
- Advanced degree (Master's/MBA) in a technical or business discipline
- Experience scaling a hardware supply chain from early R&D through production or flight deployments
- Hands-on familiarity with ERP/MRP selection, implementation, or integration
- Exposure to AS9100/ISO 9001 quality management environments
- Relevant industry certifications (CSCP, CPIM, CPSM)
