Space Program Procurement Manager

SWISSto12 is one of the world’s fastest-growing aerospace companies, evolving from its pioneering use of 3D printing technologies for high-performance Radio Frequency (RF) products and applications to recently announcing the manufacture of entire geostationary telecom satellites, called HummingSat, that define a new category in space.

HummingSat is the world’s first commercial telecom GEO SmallSat developed in collaboration with the European Space Agency (ESA). Its uniquely compact size combined with highly capable telecom payloads allows telecommunications operators to deploy a cost-efficient, compact and agile asset without sacrificing performance or security. HummingSat has recently been selected by Inmarsat to build three I-8 satellites, by Intelsat to build the IS-45 satellite and Astrum Mobile to build the Neastar-1 satellite.

SWISSto12 is also a leading provider of Radio-Frequency (RF) products and sub-systems. The company’s patented 3D printing technologies and associated product designs are unique to deliver lightweight, compact, highly performing, and competitive RF products.

We are looking for an experienced Procurement Manager with a strong technical understanding of electrical, electronic, and electromechanical components and, preferably, a background in the space or other high-reliability industries to join our team in Renens. The role will lead strategic and project procurement activities for critical satellite hardware, EEE components, materials, subsystems, and services while ensuring supplier performance, cost competitiveness, schedule adherence, and compliance with demanding technical and quality requirements.

Responsibilities

• Manage end-to-end procurement activities for EEE components, electronic modules, materials, manufactured hardware, subsystems, and services supporting satellite and RF product development.
• Work closely with engineering, project management, product assurance, legal, and finance teams to translate technical, programmatic, and contractual needs into robust sourcing and procurement strategies.
• Support supplier selection, requests for information, requests for quotation, bid evaluation, negotiation, purchase order placement, and subcontract follow-up.
• Support make-or-buy decisions and provide clear sourcing recommendations based on technical capability, cost, lead time, risk, quality performance, and long-term business value.
• Negotiate commercial and contractual terms with suppliers, ensuring alignment with company objectives, project milestones, export-control requirements, and space-industry quality expectations.
• Track open procurements proactively, communicate status and risks to internal stakeholders, and drive recovery actions when delivery, cost, or quality issues arise.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with strategic suppliers, including EEE component manufacturers, distributors, test houses, and specialist space-industry subcontractors.
• Identify and mitigate supply-chain risks related to obsolescence, long lead times, single-source dependencies, component screening, qualification, and market constraints.
• Contribute to supplier performance reviews, supplier development plans, and continuous improvement initiatives across the procurement and supply-chain function.
• Maintain accurate procurement records, supplier data, contractual documentation, and reporting in line with internal processes and audit requirements.

Requirements

• 5+ years experience as a procurement, sourcing, or supply-chain professional, with a proven track record in complex technical environments.
• Technical background in electrical, electronic, and electromechanical components, electronics, electrical engineering, avionics, RF systems, satellite systems, or other high-reliability engineering environments.
• Solid understanding of EEE component procurement, including component availability, lead times, qualification, screening, traceability, obsolescence, and reliability considerations.
• Experience developing and managing supplier relationships within the EEE, aerospace, defense, telecommunications, semiconductor, or space sectors.
• Experience in the space, aerospace, telecommunications, semiconductor, electronics manufacturing, or other high-reliability industries. The candidate will thrive in a New Space environment characterized by accelerated development cycles and evolving requirements, demonstrating agility and responsiveness in supporting critical program milestones (SRR, EQSR, PDR, CDR, etc.).
• Ability to read and understand technical documentation, specifications, statements of work, component requirements, and project schedules.
• Strong negotiation, supplier-management, and stakeholder-management skills, with the ability to balance technical, commercial, and schedule priorities.
• Structured, analytical, and proactive working style, with the capacity to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced project environment.
• Comfortable working on-site with multidisciplinary teams in Renens and engaging with international suppliers. The role requires a proactive, hands-on individual who is willing to travel to supplier facilities to assess capabilities, strengthen partnerships, and rapidly address any issues that may affect program execution.
  
  Other qualifications:
• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
• Proven experience sourcing technical products, electronic components, engineering services, or technology-driven supplier contracts in a complex engineering environment.
• Fluency in English is mandatory.

Benefits

Further details to be shared by our recruitment team.

More about SWISSto12:
SWISSto12 has successfully established contracts with Intelsat, Inmarsat, Astrum Mobile and ESA for HummingSat as well as contracts for their RF product line in Europe, and the US with prominent partners and customers such as Thales, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, SES and the ESA. SWISSto12 is a spin off from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL), is privately owned and backed by prominent Swiss and European Investors. SWISSto12 is headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland, and operates a US and European subsidiaries in Foster City California. The company is well funded for its near and mid-term developments and backed by a solid customer revenue stream.