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 and technical excellence are decisive advantages - and we are building a team that can deliver real capability, not just concepts.

This is a rare opportunity to join at an early stage, where your work will directly shape critical systems, influence major technical decisions, and have immediate, real-world impact.

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 dur