NPI Prototype Procurement Manager

Proper Voltage is unlocking the next generation of battery technology across robotics, data centers, and defense. We're building intelligent battery systems that make advanced chemistries (sodium-ion, lithium-titanate, lithium-silicon) work in products that were never designed for them.

About the role

The NPI Prototype Procurement Manager owns fast-turn prototype sourcing during new product development. When engineering needs a part quoted and built in days, not weeks, this role makes it happen, and ensures the part sourced for a prototype build doesn't quietly become a bad default for production. This role reports to the Director of Supply Chain and works closely with engineering, prototype contract manufacturers, and the production sourcing team.

Prototype CMs excel at fast part production but aren't set up to decide which parts should transition to production or catch when rushed sourcing decisions create long-term cost or quality risks. This role fills that gap, preventing slowdowns and unnecessary markups on prototype-sourced parts.

Responsibilities

• Prototype sourcing: Run quick-turn RFQs and place orders directly for strategic, long-lead, or clearly production-bound parts during prototype builds.
• Partner with engineering in design reviews and build planning to understand what’s changing and what’s stabilizing.
• Manage supplier relationships for quick-turn shops separate from the production supplier base.
• Prototype-to-production handoff: Track every part sourced by a prototype CM on our behalf: supplier, cost, and whether it’s fit to carry forward.
• Flag parts that should transition to a qualified production supplier early enough to make the change before it becomes expensive.
• Hand off qualified parts and supplier context cleanly to the production sourcing team with a clear paper trail.
• Cost visibility: Own should-cost tracking on new parts as designs stabilize, flagging cost overruns early.
• Identify where prototype CM markups are justified and where direct sourcing would save money.
• Cross-functional partnership: Work with the production sourcing team on handoffs for parts moving from prototype to production.
• Collaborate with the materials team on build timing and part availability during prototype phases.
• Provide design-for-sourcing input to engineering while parts are still changeable.

Requirements

• 4+ years in procurement or sourcing supporting new product development in a hardware or industrial product environment.
• Direct experience with fast-turn/quick-turn sourcing (rapid prototyping shops, quick-turn machining or fab, low-volume electronics).
• Comfort working alongside a contract manufacturer’s sourcing team rather than owning a factory floor directly.
• Experience evaluating whether a prototype-sourced part or supplier is fit to carry into production.
• Ability to operate independently and build process where none exists yet.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in battery, energy storage, power electronics, or other hardware-adjacent categories.
• Should-cost or cost estimation experience on early-stage or immature designs.
• Experience transitioning parts from a prototype or contract manufacturer to a qualified production supplier.
• Early-stage startup experience.

Benefits

• Health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Flexible PTO with a generous holiday policy.

Pay

Base salary of $155,000 to $175,000, plus equity.

Schedule

Carlsbad, CA strongly preferred. Open to fully remote for the right candidate. Occasional travel to contract manufacturers.

Note: Proper Voltage is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position.