Sr. Buyer, Avionics, Strategic Sourcing

Why Castelion, Why Now Castelion is moving incredibly fast to develop and deliver advanced defense systems at a time when execution matters more than ever. We believe focus, ownership, and excellence are decisive advantages - and we're building a world-class team to turn bold ideas into real capability. This is a rare opportunity to join at an early stage, where you'll have significant ownership, collaborate with exceptional teammates, and make a direct, measurable impact on our mission and the future of the company - regardless of your function. Sr. Buyer, Avionics, Strategic Sourcing As a Senior Buyer in our Strategic Sourcing Team focused on Avionics and electronics, you will be integral in working with the cross-functional groups defining, designing, building, and testing Castelion avionics and electronics subsystems. This role requires an established supply chain professional with breadth to engage new suppliers and program sourcing strategies to align with short term development schedules and long term sourcing focus for low cost, sustainable supply chain plans. We seek intelligent, collaborative, and driven leaders who are passionate about problem-solving and eager to lay the groundwork for a team to contribute to an extraordinary mission. If you thrive in challenging environments and are excited by the prospect of making a tangible impact, we want to hear from you. Responsibilities • Support the development and execution of production strategies by working with the strategic sourcing, manufacturing, and engineering teams to ensure reliable supply for upcoming product development and production. • Assist in evaluating and selecting supply plans based on quality, reliability, and cost-effectiveness to maintain a robust supply base capable of Castelion's rapid development and production. • Track and report on supply plans based on a master schedule set in a Material Requirements Planning engine. • Collaborate with key stakeholders to improve quality, reduce costs, and enhance service levels while addressing risks and compliance requirements. • Participate in contract negotiations, including pricing, technical requirements, and compliance terms. • Facilitate design for manufacturability reviews with input from supplier quality and engineering teams. • Forecast spend, supply, and infrastructure requirements through close collaboration with business stakeholders and operations plans. • Collaborate with engineering and quality teams to address and resolve issues with rejected materials, aiming to prevent future quality problems. • Provide regular updates to key stakeholders on critical supply issues and maintain strong relationships with suppliers, with expected travel between Torrance, CA and Allen, TX. • Ensure adherence to company policies, procedures, and relevant government regulations. Basic Qualifications • Educational Background: Bachelor's degree or equivalent • Technical Proficiency: 4+ years of experience working in a related field, program, or project • Relevant Commodities: 4+ years of experience working in Avionics, PCBs/PCBAs, Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical components (EEE), Instrumentation, or Radio Frequency (RF) Supply Chain organizations Preferred Skills and Experience • System Experience: Experience with MRP or ERP systems, and with managing bill of materials, work orders, and purchase orders, and the total ownership of the data within them. • Technical Expertise: Comprehensive mechanical and electrical domain knowledge, including experience sourcing machined parts, active/passive EEE components, PCBs, and PCBAs. Demonstrated understanding of component suppliers, manufacturing processes, and DFM/DFA principles. • Problem-Solving: Innovative problem-solving approach using critical thinking, including utilization of learnings from an American Production and Inventory Control Society (APICS) certification, Six Sigma certification, or similar certifications and data analysis using Excel, SQL, or an advanced analytics software. • Contract Negotiations: Crafting Master Service Agreements (MSAs), Long-Term Agreements (LTAs), and Buffer Stock / VMI (Vendor-Managed Inventory) agreements. • Design for Manufacturability/Supply Chain (DFM/DFSC): Engaging early with Hardware Design Engineers during NPI (New Product Introduction) to select alternate parts and second sources before design freeze. • Clearance: Active US Government security clearance or the ability to get one. Castelion offers a generous benefits package. Please refer to the bottom of our Careers page for more details. Other Duties Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice. Additional Eligibility Requirements This position may require access to classified information or restricted U.S. Government sites, systems, or information, as determined by the Company and/or applicable U.S. Government requirements. If the position is so designated, your employment in the role may be contingent upon your ability to obtain and maintain the required U.S. Government security clearance or other government authorization, and to satisfy any citizenship or other eligibility requirements imposed by applicable law, regulation, executive order, or government contract requirements. You will be notified if and when such requirements apply. Affirmative Action/EEO Statement Castelion is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. Castelion is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities throughout the application and hiring process. If you require a reasonable accommodation to complete an application, participate in the interview process, or otherwise participate in the hiring process, please contact hr@castelion.com. Requests for accommodation will be considered on an individual basis and handled in accordance with applicable law. Castelion is committed to fostering a workplace where employment decisions are based on qualifications, business needs, and the ability to perform the essential functions of the role, with or without reasonable accommodation. EAR/ITAR Requirements This position requires access to export-controlled information, and as such, employment (or hiring of a contractor) is contingent upon the candidate’s ability to access all applicable export-controlled information without additional export licensing being required by the Bureau of Industry and Security and/or the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls.