Sr Commodity Manager, PCBAs & Electrical Components

Description

Due to the nature of our work in defense, Darkhive does not provide visa sponsorship for this role. Candidates must be eligible to obtain and maintain a security clearance, which usually requires US citizenship.

About Darkhive:

Established in 2021, Darkhive is redefining the future of autonomous systems. We design and build next-generation hardware and software solutions that seamlessly integrate into critical public safety and defense networks. Our core focus centers on developing tactical, human-machine interfaces and scaling the mass production of affordable, attritable uncrewed systems alongside our government partners.

At Darkhive, we are a high-growth team of U.S. Special Operations veterans, aerospace engineers, robotics perception experts, and DevSecOps professionals. Above all, we are a mission-first culture. We believe that global teams operating on the front lines deserve high-quality, intelligent tools that ensure safety when each second counts.

If you are a free-thinking problem solver looking to build cutting-edge robotics in a fast-paced, highly collaborative startup environment, apply with Darkhive today!

The Senior Commodity Manager, PCBAs and Electrical Components Role:

The Senior Commodity Manager of PCBAs and Electrical Components is the domain expert and owner of the PCBA, electrical component, and electrical component distributor commodities. This role owns the strategic and tactical supplier relationships across our EMS (Electronics Manufacturing Services) partners, component manufacturers, and authorized distributors — from concept through production and end-of-life.

The Senior Commodity Manager is accountable for end-to-end commodity performance: supply assurance, cost competitiveness, quality, compliance, BOM health, and supplier readiness for new product development. The role partners closely with Engineering, Quality, Program Management, and Supply Chain to drive supplier performance, mitigate risk, and deliver against program milestones.

This is a full time, exempt, non-supervisory role reporting to the Vice President of Supply Chain. This role is located in San Antonio, Texas and it is hybrid onsite with travel up to 20% of the time.

Supplier Relationship Management — EMS, Components, and Distributors

• Own and manage relationships with key EMS partners, electrical component manufacturers, and authorized component distributors across the assigned commodity portfolio
• Serve as the strategic and tactical primary point of contact with EMS partners from concept through production, ensuring critical milestones and program objectives are completed on target
• Develop and execute commodity strategies aligned with business and engineering roadmaps
• Gather and maintain market intelligence on the global electronics market

Engineering & NPI Partnership — Supplier Readiness

• Partner with Engineering, Quality, and Supply Chain to drive supplier readiness in support of new product development efforts, including early supplier engagement, P/AVL (Preferred/Approved Vendor List) management, and alternative component identification
• Influence design decisions through component selection guidance, second-source recommendations, and bill of material (BOM) risk assessments
• Support PCBA design reviews and DFM/DFA activities by representing supplier capability, component availability, and cost implications of design choices
• Manage NPI through MP transition for assigned commodities, ensuring supplier readiness for prototype, EVT, DVT, PVT, and mass production builds

BOM Risk Management

• Own BOM risk management across the assigned commodities, including end-of-life (EOL), country-of-origin (COO), lead-time, lifecycle status (Active / Last-Time-Buy / Obsolete), allocation, and sole/single-source exposure
• Influence proactive risk mitigation and strategies including last-time buys, alternate / second-source qualification, redesign recommendations, and strategic inventory positioning
• Maintain BOM health dashboards and risk reporting for active programs, partnering with Engineering and Supply Chain Managers to communicate exposures and resolution plans

EMS Supplier Performance

• Own EMS supplier factory and overall performance across supply assurance, cost competitiveness, quality, delivery, and general compliance
• Drive EMS performance scorecards and KPIs
• Partner with Quality to drive EMS supplier compliance with quality standards (e.g., ISO and IPC) and applicable regulatory frameworks

Supply Forecasting & Continuity

• Drive supply forecasting to key EMS partners, component manufacturers, and distributors, ensuring alignment between demand signals, supplier capacity, and material lead times
• Manage supply allocation and shortage scenarios by working with distribution partners, brokers (when policy permits), and direct manufacturers to secure constrained components

Cost Management — Pre-Launch through End-of-Life

• Drive cost management activities across the full product lifecycle — from pre-launch should-cost modeling and target costing through production cost-down initiatives and end-of-life run-out strategies
• Lead cost reduction programs including VAVE (Value Analysis / Value Engineering), resourcing, redesign-for-cost, alternate component qualification, and negotiated price reductions
• Develop and maintain should-cost models for PCBAs
• Track and report PPV, cost savings, and cost avoidance against annual targets in partnership with Finance

Quoting, Contracting & Commercial Workflows

• Drive quoting and contracting workflows with EMS partners, component suppliers, and distributors, including RFI / RFQ / RFP packages, NDAs, MSAs, supply agreements, pricing agreements, and SOWs
• Lead supplier negotiations on price, payment terms, MOQs, lead times, capacity commitments, liability terms, IP protections, and warranty provisions. Ensure the proper contracts / agreements are in place

Quarterly Business Reviews (QBRs) & Supplier Governance

• Institute and lead a QBR process for key EMS partners in partnership with cross-functional teams

Qualifications You Bring:

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Procurement, Electrical Engineering, Business, or related technical field. MBA preferred
• 7-10 years of progressive procurement, commodity management, or strategic sourcing experience, with direct ownership of PCBA and/or electrical component commodities
• Demonstrated experience managing EMS / contract manufacturing relationships across global footprints
• Working knowledge of electrical components — active, passive, semiconductors, connectors, relays — and the franchised distribution channel (e.g., Arrow, Avnet, Future, etc.)
• Hands-on experience with BOM risk management, including EOL/last-time-buy strategies, lifecycle monitoring, and alternate part qualification
• Proven track record leading supplier negotiations, contracts (MSAs, supply agreements, SOWs), and commercial workflows.
• Familiarity with quality and manufacturing standards relevant to PCBAs
• Experience operating across global supplier bases, particularly Asia (Taiwan, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia), Mexico, and the United States
• Familiarity with open-book costing and tear-down / cost breakdown negotiations with EMS partners
• Strong analytical skills with proficiency in cost / should-cost modeling
• Excellent communication, influencing, and cross-functional leadership skills

Bonus Qualifications:

• Direct experience in the Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) or robotics industry
• An active security clearance (this is not required)
• Prior experience in a fast-paced startup environment, specifically building hardware departments from the ground up

Physical and/or Mental Requirements:

• Ability to sit and/or stand for periods of time
• Ability to use a keyboard, mouse, and other equipment with or without accommodation
• Ability to maintain awareness during business hours
• Ability to lift up to 15 pounds
• Excellent written and verbal communication and good command of the English language
• Learns and memorizes routine tasks
• Reasonable accommodations will be provided to any person with a disability to be able to perform the essential job functions of this position
• Darkhive retains the right to change or assign other duties as required for this position

Selection Process:

• Hiring team reviews applications
• 20-minute pre-screen with Darkhive recruiter
• 30-minute phone screen with the hiring manager
• Take home project
• In-person or video interview with extended hiring team

Benefits Darkhive Offers:

• Comprehensive medical plans
• 100% employer paid dental and vision insurance premiums
• Automatic 401k employer contribution with vesting
• Paid vacation and personal time off
• 11 Paid holidays
• 5 days of sick leave
• Stock options
• Welcoming and friendly work environment
• Respect of work-life balance

Darkhive is an equal-opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment against any employee or applicant because of race, color, gender (including pregnancy), age, gender identity, creed, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, marital status, genetic information, disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law.