Purchasing & Materials Lead

Scout is building a new way to see and operate in space: with a new paradigm of data empowering every satellite to make space safer. We are a rapidly growing team; we are deploying real solutions to orbit over the next 2 years; and our work will transform the face of spaceflight. We are looking for people who bring excitement and energy to our organization, are curious and eager to learn, and want to help drive our programs forward.  

Scout Space is seeking a highly organized, hands-on Purchasing & Operations Manager to own day-to-day purchasing and support the inventory and materials activities that keep our engineering and hardware programs running smoothly. This role will coordinate purchasing from approved request through fulfillment, working closely with suppliers and internal teams while maintaining appropriate controls, documentation, and visibility. 

The role will also support inventory, receiving, shipping and logistics, as well as other operational needs as they arise. The ideal candidate is resourceful, detail-oriented, and comfortable managing day-to-day execution while helping build scalable processes and systems as Scout grows. 

Responsibilities

• Own day-to-day purchasing administration across the company, with a particular focus on supporting engineering and hardware programs.
• Manage approved purchases through fulfillment, including purchase order processing, supplier coordination, order tracking, and required documentation.
• Coordinate with suppliers and internal teams on quotations, pricing, availability, lead times, and resolution of purchasing issues.
• Partner with Finance, Engineering, and Mission Assurance to ensure purchasing activities meet applicable financial, technical, quality, and documentation requirements.
• Maintain accurate purchasing and supplier records and help improve procurement processes and systems as the company grows.
• Manage inventory, receiving, materials, and shipping activities, maintaining accurate records and visibility into material location and status.
• Coordinate applicable receiving, inspection, acceptance, traceability, and shipping requirements, and proactively resolve material and delivery issues.
• Support broader business operations, including day-to-day office and facility needs, vendor coordination, and other cross-functional activities.
• Take ownership of operational projects and process improvements based on evolving company needs and priorities. 

Required Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in purchasing, procurement, inventory, materials management, supply chain, or a related operational role
• Experience managing purchasing transactions, purchase orders, supplier coordination, and order fulfillment
• Experience working with inventory, receiving, shipping, or materials-management processes
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to maintain accurate records and manage multiple priorities
• Ability to work effectively with technical, finance, quality, and other cross-functional teams
• Strong communication and problem-solving skills, with a proactive approach to resolving purchasing, material, and delivery issues
• Comfortable working in a hands-on, fast-paced environment and helping develop and improve processes as the organization grows 

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting engineering, manufacturing, hardware, aerospace, defense, or another technical environment
• Familiarity with purchasing and inventory systems, ERP platforms, or related business systems
• Experience working within quality-controlled or regulated environments, including familiarity with supplier documentation, traceability, or receiving inspection requirements
• Experience helping implement or improve purchasing, inventory, or materials-management processes
• Prior experience in a startup or high-growth company 

Benefits

• Open Time Off
• Paid Parental Leave
• Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance
• 401k Matching
• Health Savings Account, Flexible Spending Accounts, Dependent Care FSA
• Wellness Stipend
• Work From Home Stipend
• Life Insurance
• Long-term Disability plans
• Commuter Benefit
• Education Reimbursement

Don't fulfill all the qualifications listed above? If you still feel like you might be a good fit, please feel free to APPLY ANYWAY. We believe in a well-rounded team, and this sometimes means that someone with out-of-context knowledge can contribute just as well as someone with very explicit alignment with our capabilities needs stated.

Our positions are based in Reston, Virginia, with much of our team operating in a hybrid or remote fashion. While we welcome remote candidates, we have a preference for candidates in or around the Washington, DC metropolitan area (or willing to relocate) to provide more opportunities to work and collaborate in-person.

This position involves access to technology that is subject to U.S. export controls. Any job offer made will be contingent upon the applicant’s capacity to serve in compliance with U.S. export controls.

Scout Space Inc. does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor. To conform to US Government space technology export regulations, applicants must be a US citizen, lawful permanent resident of the US, a protected individual as defined by 8 USC 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorization from the US Department of State.

We’re Proud to Prioritize Mental Health. Scout Space has been recognized with the Bell Seal for Workplace Mental Health by Mental Health America. This certification reflects our ongoing commitment to creating a supportive environment where mental well-being is valued, protected, and openly talked about. We know that when people feel seen and supported, great work happens, and that is the kind of culture we are building here at Scout Space.

Compensation is based upon candidate experience and qualifications, as well as market and business considerations. Summary pay range: $80,000-$110,000.