- Location
- San Mateo · San Mateo, California, United States
- Department
- Engineering
- Seniority
- Manager
- Experience
- 3+ years
- Source
- Greenhouse
Description
Company Overview
At Skild AI, we are building the world's first general purpose robotic intelligence that is robust and adapts to unseen scenarios without failing. We believe massive scale through data-driven machine learning is the key to unlocking these capabilities for the widespread deployment of robots within society. Our team consists of individuals with varying levels of experience and backgrounds, from new graduates to domain experts. Relevant industry experience is important, but ultimately less so than your demonstrated abilities and attitude. We are looking for passionate individuals who are eager to explore uncharted waters and contribute to our innovative projects.
Position Overview
We are looking for an agile, execution-focused Global Supply Manager to drive hardware procurement, prototype pipeline management, and supply chain execution. You will own key categories of our robot Bill of Materials (BOM)—including actuators, custom electromechanical components, sensors, cameras, and PCBAs. Beyond negotiating long-term contracts, you will be deeply embedded in early hardware development, managing day-to-day order execution and inbound material logistics to keep engineering teams building, testing, and iterating without delay. This role requires 25-40% international travel.
Responsibilities
- Engineering Development Support: Partner closely with R&D, Mechanical, and Electrical Engineering teams during early-stage prototyping (Proto/EVT/DVT). Participate in design reviews to drive early supplier involvement, run Design-for-Manufacturability (DFM) feedback loops, and secure long-lead development components.
- Hands-On Order Execution: Own the tactical end-to-end purchasing process for prototype builds and production runs—building RFQs, issuing POs, tracking shipments, and expediting critical parts to keep pace with fast-moving engineering sprints.
- Material Handling & Logistics: Oversee initial material receipt, inventory allocation, and local logistics for incoming engineering parts. Coordinate with internal teams and contract manufacturers to ensure raw materials, components, and custom tooling are tracked, kitted, and routed to the correct lab or assembly line.
- Sourcing & Category Strategy: Own global sourcing strategies for critical robotic hardware categories, including motors, structural components, sensors, custom silicon, and camera modules.
- NPI to Production Scaling: Transition hardware designs from R&D prototypes to scaled manufacturing with domestic and international partners.
- Commercial Negotiations: Lead MSAs, SOWs, and unit pricing agreements to optimize total cost of ownership (TCO).
- Supplier Relationship Management: Build and maintain strategic relationships with key hardware vendors, conducting regular performance reviews to ensure quality, delivery, and cost targets are met.
Preferred Qualifications
- 3-5 years of experience in strategic sourcing, global supply management, or technical procurement within hardware, robotics, consumer electronics, automotive, or aerospace environments.
- Proven experience supporting engineering teams through early development cycles (EVT/DVT/PVT), including fast-paced prototype sourcing and hands-on order placement (ERP/MRP systems, PO generation, shipment tracking).
- Direct experience taking electromechanical hardware components or systems from early concept through NPI and into scaled production.
- Experience managing and negotiating with suppliers across PCBAs, precision machining, sensors, or optical systems.
- Experience sourcing for autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), warehouse automation, or complex humanoid robotic hardware.
- Ability to read and interpret 2D technical drawings, mechanical GD&T, and electrical schematics.
- Familiarity with inventory tracking, kitting, and material management practices in an R&D or pilot production setting.
- Comfort with ambiguity and a builder's mindset to establish supply chain and procurement processes from scratch.
- BS/BA in Engineering, Supply Chain Management, Business, or a related quantitative field.
