Head of Strategic Sourcing

• Company Overview
• Fortastra designs and delivers resilient, high-performance spacecraft that safeguard critical orbital assets and ensure freedom of action in space. We integrate advanced autonomy, sensing, and control into systems engineered for reliability, speed, and scale. Our culture values simplicity, accountability, and disciplined execution. We expect leaders to think systemically, act decisively, and take ownership of mission outcomes. Aggressive innovation. Disciplined execution. Strength among the stars.

Our Engineering Team

You will strategically lead Fortastra’s Supply Chain function within the Engineering Division, owning supplier strategy, procurement execution, and hardware readiness across our spacecraft portfolio.

• The Role
• Fortastra is seeking a Head of Strategic Sourcing to lead the company’s supply chain strategy in support of rapidly developing autonomous spacecraft systems. This is a hands-on leadership role focused on supplier management, procurement execution, and hardware readiness across the company’s spacecraft programs. You will build the operational foundation required to rapidly develop, integrate, and deliver mission-critical hardware in dynamic and constrained environments. The ideal candidate brings experience operating in fast-paced aerospace or defense environments and enabling engineering teams to move quickly without sacrificing execution or reliability.

Key Responsibilities

Own the company’s supply chain strategy across spacecraft hardware and products

Lead supplier sourcing, qualification, negotiation, and vendor management activities

Drive procurement and long-lead planning to support aggressive development timelines

Partner closely with engineering and manufacturing to improve manufacturability, scalability, and hardware readiness

Identify and mitigate supplier, production, and material risks before they impact execution

Establish operational processes for purchasing, inventory management, and production planning

Support manufacturing, integration, and test activities through effective material coordination

Build and lead a high-performing supply chain organization as the company scales

Act as the primary operational authority for supply chain planning and execution across programs

Qualifications and Skills

B.S. or higher in Supply Chain, Engineering, Operations, Business, or related field

8+ years of strategic experience in aerospace, defense, spacecraft, aviation, robotics, or other high-reliability hardware environments

Demonstrated experience of strategic leadership, managing complex suppliers, procurement activities, and hardware delivery schedules

Strong understanding of supply chain operations, production planning, and hardware lifecycle management

Experience supporting rapid development programs and prototype-to-production transitions

Ability to operate cross-functionally with engineering, manufacturing, and program teams

Experience working within fast-paced, high-accountability environments

Familiarity with ERP/MRP systems, purchasing workflows, and inventory management practices

Strong organizational, communication, and execution skills

Familiarity with aerospace quality, traceability, DFARS, and ITAR environments preferred

Requirements

5 days on-site in Torrance, CA

U.S. Citizenship required

Ability to obtain or hold an active TS/SCI clearance desired

Why Fortastra

We are a small, high-impact team building the next generation of autonomous orbital control systems for national security space. At Fortastra, leaders own outcomes from first principles through flight and directly shape the future of resilient, mission-critical spacecraft autonomy.

FORTASTRA TALENT & CULTURE PRINCIPLES

Values Driven by First Principles

We value engineers and operators who prioritize sound judgment, candor, technical rigor, bias for action, and intellectual honesty over corporate consensus. We care about the caliber of the system you build and the speed at which you solve problems.

Talent Density Over Headcount

A high-performing startup is built on dense talent, not organizational bloat. A single exceptional engineer designs, tests, and delivers faster than a bloated committee. We intentionally maintain a lean, elite engineering crew where every contributor directly moves the needle on the mission.

High Autonomy, High Ownership

We hire domain experts to execute, not to micromanage them. You own your systems end-to-end, from initial architecture and hardware design to testing and deployment. With absolute ownership comes the responsibility to deliver mission critical reliability.

Mission Context Over Bureaucracy

The best execution happens when teams are provided clear technical objectives, constraints, and operational context, rather than rigid top-down policies. We strip away red tape so builders can iterate, make decisions, and push hardware and flight software forward rapidly.

Disciplined Speed & Flight Rigor

We move fast because we test often and kill artificial bottlenecks, not because we cut corners. Rapid iteration on the test stand and in simulation is how we learn; an uncompromising flight-readiness bar is how we earn trust. Precision without friction, speed without recklessness.

Direct Impact, Not Career Bureaucracy

You don’t come to Fortastra to climb a corporate ladder or manage slide decks; you come to build complex, flight-ready systems from day one. Growth here is organic, driven by the magnitude of technical challenges you solve and the trust you build across the team.

Benefits

We take care of our employees so they can focus on what matters most: family, well-being, and life outside of work.

Unlimited Paid Time Off so that you have the time you need to rest and recharge.

Comprehensive Healthcare: Medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your dependents, because peace of mind starts with feeling cared for.

Equity: Share in Fortastra's success with equity in the company you're helping build.

401(k): A 401(k) plan to help you invest in your future and plan for what's ahead.

Social Events: Regular social events, team outings, and company-sponsored activities that make this a place people are glad to be part of.

The pay range for this role is $200,000.00 - $250,000.00. Where an offer falls within that range depends on factors like your qualifications, experience, location, and interview performance, which we weigh against the market rate for the position.

Recruiters & Agencies: Fortastra does not accept unsolicited resumes or candidate submissions from recruiters, agencies, or third parties. Any candidate submitted without a signed agreement and prior written authorization from Fortastra will not be subject to any fee, and no relationship is implied. Please do not contact Fortastra employees, hiring managers, or recruiting team directly.