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 https://shield.ai/. Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/shield-ai, X https://x.com/shieldaitech, Instagram https://www.instagram.com/shield_ai, and YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@Shield_AI.
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:
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- 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:
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- 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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