Equipment & Fixture Buyer

Job description

ABOUT LUMILENS At Lumilens we are building the critical photonics infrastructure that powers tomorrow’s AI supercomputing. From chip-to-chip optical interconnects to scalable photonic engines, Lumilens is unlocking a new era of computing faster, cooler, and massively more efficient. We’re a well-funded startup backed by Mayfield and led by veterans who’ve built and scaled some of the most transformative technologies in the industry. This isn’t incremental innovation, it’s a ground-floor opportunity to rethink the optical layer from the silicon up. You’ll work alongside a team of world-class engineers solving some of the hardest challenges in optics, systems, and scale. Every decision you make will directly influence how we build, source, and deliver the infrastructure of tomorrow. If you're looking for mission, momentum, and the chance to make an outsized impact, jump on the rocket ship. We’re just getting started. POSITION OVERVIEW We are seeking an Equipment and Fixture Buyer to join our rapidly growing team. This role is critical in sourcing and procuring production equipment, fixtures, tooling, and related materials that support prototype, NPI, and manufacturing scale-up across our photonics and advanced hardware operations. You will be responsible for managing end-to-end purchasing activities for capital equipment, manufacturing fixtures, tooling, and related support items, ensuring suppliers, pricing, and delivery plans align with engineering, operations, and manufacturing requirements. The ideal candidate will partner closely with hardware, mechanical, manufacturing, quality, and supply chain teams to drive sourcing strategy, supplier selection, RFQs, purchase execution, commercial negotiations, lead-time management, and risk mitigation. This is a highly visible role with direct impact on build readiness, production continuity, cost, and supply resiliency. What You'll Do - Own procurement and purchasing activities for manufacturing equipment, fixtures, tooling, and related support materials required for prototype, NPI, and production builds - Partner closely with Hardware, Mechanical, Manufacturing, and Supply Chain teams to align purchasing priorities with engineering schedules, build plans, and operational needs - Lead supplier identification, RFQ execution, quote analysis, and purchasing decisions for equipment and fixture requirements in partnership with cross-functional stakeholders - Negotiate pricing, delivery schedules, commercial terms, and service support agreements to meet cost, quality, and timeline objectives - Create and manage purchase orders, track supplier commitments, and coordinate delivery timing to support build readiness and manufacturing execution - Develop strong supplier relationships, conduct business reviews, and drive accountability around quality, responsiveness, lead times, and capacity support - Monitor supply risk, long lead items, and supplier constraints, and proactively implement mitigation plans to protect prototype and production schedules - Maintain accurate purchasing data, supplier records, and procurement documentation to ensure visibility, reporting accuracy, and smooth cross-functional execution Key Qualifications - 5+ years of experience in purchasing, procurement, sourcing, or supply chain roles supporting manufacturing equipment, fixtures, tooling, or related technical categories - Bachelor’s degree in business, supply chain, industrial engineering, mechanical engineering, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience - Demonstrated experience managing RFQs, supplier negotiations, purchase orders, and commercial terms for equipment, fixture, or tooling purchases - Strong understanding of supplier management, lead-time planning, cost analysis, and risk mitigation within a manufacturing environment - Proficiency with ERP and purchasing systems, along with strong analytical skills in Excel or similar tools used for quotation, tracking, and spend analysis Preferred Skills - Experience purchasing capital equipment, manufacturing fixtures, tooling, or custom mechanical assemblies in a fast-paced hardware or advanced manufacturing environment - Familiarity with prototype builds, NPI, engineering change activity, and production ramp requirements - Ability to interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and statements of work to support supplier engagement and purchasing decisions - Strong negotiation, communication, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to coordinate effectively across technical and operational teams - Experience building supplier relationships, conducting supplier reviews, and driving accountability for quality, delivery, and cost performance - Background in photonics, optics, semiconductors, electronics manufacturing, or other complex technical industries is a plus - Highly organized, detail-oriented, and comfortable managing multiple priorities in a rapidly scaling environment Additional Requirements - Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to focus - Regularly required to sit, use hands and fingers, operate a computer keyboard and controls, and communicate verbally and in writing - Must be physically able to commute to buildings and move through manufacturing and office environments as needed - Occasional exposure to dust, fumes, and moderate levels of noise may occur in lab or production areas Why Join Us? - Competitive salary commensurate with experience - Comprehensive benefits package including health insurance - Professional development opportunities and certification support - Access to cutting-edge photonics and advanced manufacturing technologies - Collaborative work environment with cross-functional teams solving complex challenges Lumilens is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, gender, identity, orientation, veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status.