Sourcing Manager, Server Mechanicals, Cooling (Starlink)

SpaceX was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is out exploring the stars is fundamentally more exciting than one where we are not. Today SpaceX is actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal of enabling human life on Mars.

Responsibilities

• Partner deeply with responsible engineers, thermal engineers, and server mechanical teams to co‑define commodity strategy, multi‑year technology roadmaps, and approved vendor lists for server mechanics and cooling — chassis, lids, bezels and GPU/accelerator trays; cold plates (CPU, GPU, HBM, NIC, switch ASIC); heat sinks, vapor chambers and heat pipes; thermal interface materials (grease, pads, PCM); server fans and shrouds; node‑level liquid loops (tubing, fittings, on‑server manifolds, dripless QDs); and retention hardware (GPU brackets, CPU ILM/backplates, DIMM clips, NIC brackets) — anticipating SpaceXAI TDP and density requirements 12–24 months ahead.
• Own global sourcing end‑to‑end for server mechanicals and cooling, including supplier selection, qualification of die‑cast / stamped chassis, cold‑plate, TIM, and fan suppliers, dual/multi‑sourcing on constrained thermal SKUs, capacity reservation, and performance governance to achieve on‑time delivery and continuous lead‑time compression while supporting SpaceX's aggressive cluster build cadence.
• Define and negotiate transformative statements of work (SOWs) and commercial agreements that rigorously challenge unnecessary specifications, drive value engineering of chassis and cold‑plate designs, secure aggressive pricing, dedicated tooling and capacity, and flexibility without compromising thermal resistance, leak, and reliability standards required for SpaceX training clusters.
• Drive continuous cost leadership through should‑cost modeling of chassis, cold plates, TIM, and fan assemblies; design‑for‑manufacturability and design‑for‑serviceability reviews; specification optimization; and long‑term pricing agreements that meaningfully reduce total cost of ownership while accelerating time‑to‑scale.
• Act as the supplier interface for all RFIs, RFPs, and RFQs; visit chassis, cold‑plate, TIM, and fan factories and accurately assess die‑cast, CNC, skiving, bonding, leak‑test, TIM compounding, and high‑volume fan capability, plus financial health and capacity, before awarding NPI and production contracts.
• Monitor global industry trends in accelerator cooling (direct‑to‑chip liquid, cold‑plate materials, TIM reliability, high‑TDP air/hybrid), chassis architecture, and quick‑disconnect standards; partner with design teams to identify and mitigate sole‑source, allocation, and long‑lead tooling risk before it hits NPI or mass production.
• Work with supply chain engineers and thermal engineers to develop requirements for both NPI and production phases; drive second‑source strategies for cold plates, TIM, fans, and QDs without compromising thermal performance or serviceability.
• Standardize and automate NPI‑to‑mass‑production processes, implement inventory and WIP optimization models (including consignment and just‑in‑time tailored to SpaceX's build velocity), and establish clear KPIs for cost, quality, speed, leak/thermal yield, and resilience that are reviewed weekly with leadership.
• Lead supplier innovation programs—challenge and collaborate with vendors on higher‑performance cold plates, lower‑resistance TIM, quieter/higher‑pressure fans, faster service loops, and next‑generation node‑level liquid cooling that accelerate SpaceX's hardware roadmap and reduce total cost of ownership.
• Present value propositions to executives, including those related to contract award, tooling, cost reviews, and critical server‑thermal supply issues.
• Build and maintain a world‑class supply base through strategic relationships with chassis ODMs, cold‑plate and vapor‑chamber specialists, TIM suppliers, fan OEMs, and QD manufacturers; run executive business reviews and performance scorecards that position SpaceX as the preferred high‑velocity partner.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and 6+ years of experience working in Business, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, or Engineering; or 9+ years of experience in one or more of those fields in lieu of a degree.
• 4+ years of experience in global supply chain, commodity management, or mechanical/thermal sourcing