Technical Program Manager, Supply Chain

Job description

**Who We Are** GITAI is a vertically integrated space and defense company building the next generation of hardware for low-Earth-orbit missions. At our core is the space robotics technology that has defined GITAI from the beginning. A small, highly capable engineering team applies that foundation across satellite buses, in-orbit servicing robotics, and mission hardware for applications such as Earth observation. Today, a major focus of our work is supporting U.S. national security missions, particularly through proliferated LEO satellite constellations and other next-generation space systems. We design, build, integrate, and test much of our hardware in-house. Electrical, mechanical, software, manufacturing, integration, and test teams work closely together, allowing a small team to own complete systems rather than isolated components. This vertical integration helps us move quickly, learn directly from hardware, and shorten the path from architecture to a working system. We are still early. The systems, the company, and the market are all being built at the same time. Requirements change, technical problems are often ambiguous, and many answers do not yet exist. We are looking for exceptional engineers and operators who want broad ownership, can work across disciplines, and are willing to stay close to the hardware until the mission succeeds. **Your Mission** GITAI moves fast through vertical integration. We keep core technical ownership in-house, build directly with our engineering teams, and use external suppliers only where they help us move faster without giving up control of the mission. Your mission is to drive the supply chain execution layer for technical hardware programs. This means turning engineering and program needs into supplier actions, material readiness, delivery commitments, and commercial terms that protect GITAI. This is not a purchasing admin role. It is also not a pure internal program management role. You will work close to engineering, program leadership, suppliers, and operations to make sure critical parts, materials, services, and supplier deliverables are ready when the program needs them. The VP of Program Management will own upstream program context, supplier direction, and major program priorities. Engineers will own technical direction and design decisions. You will own supplier-facing execution: RFQs, quote comparison, T&C review, purchase orders, delivery follow-up, supplier escalation, material readiness, and commercial risk. This role supports U.S. government defense programs, including space defense work. It requires strong judgment, practical negotiation skill, and the ability to operate from the position of a fast-moving startup without the leverage of a large prime contractor. **What You’ll Drive** - Own supplier-facing execution for assigned space defense programs, including RFQs, purchase orders, supplier follow-up, delivery tracking, and commercial issue resolution. - Turn engineering and program needs into executable supplier actions, while keeping technical ownership, schedule control, and mission risk inside GITAI. - Negotiate supplier terms that protect GITAI, including payment terms, delivery terms, cancellation terms, IP-related terms, warranty, liability, inspection, acceptance, and other commercial risks. - Review supplier quotes, T&Cs, order documents, and commercial proposals to identify risks before they become program problems. - Work with engineering and program leadership to understand technical context, urgency, supplier tradeoffs, and what must be protected in each transaction. - Push suppliers to move quickly while keeping them engaged. Know when to press, when to trade, when to compromise, and when to escalate. - Support procurement activity in export-controlled and government program environments, including ITAR/EAR awareness, controlled technical information, and supplier access risks. - Support defense program execution by tracking flow-down requirements, deliverables, acceptance terms, compliance risks, and supplier commitments. - Maintain clear visibility into open POs, supplier commitments, delivery risk, lead times, commercial blockers, and next actions. - Help build supplier execution practices that are strong enough for defense work but light enough for a vertically integrated startup that needs speed. **What We’re Looking For** - A degree in engineering, supply chain management, manufacturing, operations management, or a closely related field is required. - Experience in procurement, supplier management, contracts, supply chain, or commercial execution in a hardware, aerospace, defense, robotics, or deep tech environment. - Experience working at an early-stage startup, ideally Series B or earlier, where teams were small, processes were incomplete, and supplier negotiation required judgment, persistence, and creativity rather than large-company leverage. - Experience supporting U.S. government, defense, aerospace, or Space Force-related programs. - Working knowledge of ITAR, EAR, export-controlled environments, controlled technical data, supplier access risks, and foreign person restrictions. - Experience negotiating supplier-facing terms, including T&Cs, PO terms, payment terms, delivery terms, cancellation terms, and commercial risk allocation. - Ability to work with engineers, understand technical program context, and translate program needs into supplier actions without becoming a bottleneck or a pass-through messenger. - Good judgment on when supplier support accelerates vertical integration and when it creates dependency, loss of control, compliance risk, or downstream program risk. - Clear and direct communication with suppliers and internal teams. You should be able to state the issue, the risk, the tradeoff, and the next action. - Comfort with ambiguity, changing requirements, short timelines, incomplete process, and high program urgency. - U.S. citizenship is required. Candidates must be able to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance if required for the program. - Strong plus: experience with FAR, DFARS, government contract flow-downs, SBIR, OTA, prime/subcontractor relationships, defense suppliers, prototype procurement, NPI procurement, CNC, PCBA, harnesses, machined parts, test hardware, or specialized engineering services. **Location & Employment Details** - Location: Torrance, CA (onsite). This is a full-time onsite role based at GITAI’s office in Torrance, CA. This position requires working onsite five days per week. Remote or hybrid work is not expected for this role. Occasional travel to supplier sites may be required as needed to support supplier engagement, negotiations, delivery follow-up, inspections, or other program needs. - Employment Type: Full-time, Exempt - Compensation: Base salary for this role is expected to range from $110,000 to $145,000 per year. Final title, compensation, and equity will depend on the candidate’s experience with technical procurement, supplier negotiation, defense programs, export-controlled environments, and ability to drive supplier execution and material readiness for engineering-driven hardware programs. - Typical Work Hours: Monday to Friday, approximately 9:00am – 6:00pm (onsite). Flexibility is expected based on mission schedules and program needs. **Benefits** - Health Insurance – Platinum medical plan with 100% company-paid medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees; 90% for dependents - 401(k) Plan – Company match up to 3.5%, with traditional and Roth options - Equity – Stock option eligibility depending on role - Relocation Support – Available for qualifying positions - Time Off – 12 paid holidays per year, 12 days of paid vacation per year, and paid sick leave (in accordance with applicable law) - Office Perks – Free snacks and drinks, plus regular team events *GITAI does not accept unsolicited resumes from staffing or recruiting agencies. We work only with recruiting partners that have been specifically engaged by GITAI. No fees will be paid for resumes submitted without a prior agreement.* Compensation may include base salary or hourly pay and, depending on the position, equity. Actual compensation will be determined based on experience, skillset, and other job-related factors. LA salary range $110,000—$145,000 USD **Important Notice** - Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the U.S. This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship. - To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), GITAI Employees must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident (i.e., current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce, as applicable. - GITAI USA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment with GITAI USA is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.