Shield AI is a venture-backed defense-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include Hivemind autonomy software, V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, and Aechelon simulation and synthetic reality technologies. With offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific, Shield AI’s technology actively supports operations worldwide. For more information, visit www.shield.ai. Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and YouTube.
Job Description:
We're looking for a Senior Sourcing Specialist to help bring innovative products to life by leading supplier purchasing initiatives and building high-performing supplier partnerships. Working across cross-functional teams, you'll help ensure critical materials and components are available to support development, production, and long-term success in a highly regulated and capacity-constrained environment.
What you'll do:
- Own the sourcing and procurement of munitions commodities across defense suppliers.
- Identify, qualify, onboard, and manage suppliers capable of meeting cost, quality, delivery, and technical requirements for prototype, development, and production builds.
- Request and evaluate supplier quotations, perform cost analyses, negotiate pricing and lead times, and execute purchase orders and long-term agreements where appropriate.
- Partner cross-functionally with engineering, program management, legal, and finance to align sourcing strategies with program and business objectives.
- Build and manage strategic supplier relationships, including sole-source and limited-source vendors, to ensure continuity of supply.
- Ensure compliance with ITAR, EAR, DFARS, and other applicable U.S. government regulations and export controls.
- Identify and mitigate supply chain risks, including geopolitical, capacity, and regulatory risks specific to munitions.
- Continuously identify opportunities for cost savings, lead time reduction, process improvements, and supplier consolidation.
Required qualifications:
- Education & Experience: Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, Operations, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience, including exposure to defense or munitions programs or Aerospace Programs.
- Defense & Munitions Expertise: 5+ years of experience with munitions or defense-related commodities in strategic sourcing, purchasing, or supply chain.
- Regulatory Knowledge: Demonstrated expertise in ITAR, EAR, DFARS, and U.S. government contracting requirements, including experience working with export-controlled materials and compliance frameworks.
- Supplier Negotiations: Experience negotiating pricing, lead times, and commercial terms with suppliers while balancing cost, quality, and delivery objectives.
- Analytical Acumen: Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to manage multiple suppliers and priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
- Security Clearance (if applicable): Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance, depending on program requirements.
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Full-time regular employee offer package:
Pay within range listed + Bonus + Benefits + Equity
Temporary employee offer package:
Pay within range listed above + temporary benefits package (applicable after 60 days of employment)
Salary compensation is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to skill set, level of experience, licenses and certifications, and specific work location. All offers are contingent on a cleared background and possible reference check. Military fellows and part-time employees are not eligible for benefits. Please speak to your talent acquisition representative for more information.
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Shield AI is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know.