Supply Chain Engineer

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 As a Supply Chain Engineer, Mechanical at GITAI, you will own the manufacturing and supplier path for mechanical parts, assemblies, and subsystems. You will work directly with mechanical engineers, understand the intent behind their designs, and determine the fastest practical way to manufacture and test the hardware. That may involve an existing supplier, a new machine shop or specialized vendor, a different manufacturing process, or work performed internally at GITAI. You should be able to review a drawing, understand the critical features and manufacturing challenges, and quickly recommend a path forward. Your work should allow GITAI to run more design, build, test, and redesign cycles in less time. What You’ll Drive Own sourcing and supplier execution for mechanical parts, assemblies, and subsystems from engineering release through manufacturing, testing, and delivery. Work directly with mechanical engineers to understand drawings, GD&T, materials, tolerances, design intent, and test requirements. Select the right manufacturing and test path, including existing suppliers, new suppliers, and internal GITAI capabilities. Find and qualify suppliers for machining, sheet metal, fabrication, additive manufacturing, special processes, mechanical assemblies, and specialized testing. Own RFQs, quote evaluation, supplier selection, pricing and lead-time negotiation, and purchase execution. Evaluate manufacturability, supplier capability, cost, lead time, and iteration speed, and recommend changes when a different approach will move hardware faster. Drive suppliers through delivery, resolving schedule, quality, and manufacturing issues directly when they arise. Build a supplier network that supports rapid engineering iteration and continuously improve how GITAI gets mechanical hardware made and tested. What We’re Looking For Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a closely related engineering field. 3+ years of relevant experience in mechanical engineering, manufacturing engineering, technical sourcing, supplier development, or supply chain for physical hardware. At least 1 year of full-time experience as an internal employee at a VC-backed hardware startup while the company was at Seed, Series A, or Series B stage. Strong ability to read mechanical drawings and understand GD&T, materials, tolerances, manufacturing processes, and mechanical design intent. Experience working directly with suppliers on complex mechanical parts, assemblies, or subsystems from RFQ through delivery. Ability to assess a supplier’s technical capability and make practical decisions across manufacturability, quality, lead time, cost, and engineering iteration speed. Strong supplier negotiation skills and the ability to develop new supplier relationships without relying on the purchasing leverage of a large company. Strong engineering judgment and willingness to use new suppliers, processes, tools, or internal capabilities when they provide a better path. U.S. citizenship is required due to the nature of GITAI’s work with U.S. government customers and programs. Location & Employment Details Location: Torrance, CA, onsite. Occasional travel to supplier and test sites is expected based on program needs. Employment Type: Full-Time, Exempt Typical Work Hours: Monday to Friday, approximately 9:00 AM–6:00 PM onsite. Flexibility is expected based on mission schedules and program needs. Compensation Base Salary: $125,000–$165,000 per year Final compensation will be determined based on experience, technical depth, supplier capability, and role fit. This position is also eligible for equity. 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 $125,000 — $165,000 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.