About the role Global Sourcing Manager We’re looking for an experienced Global Sourcing Manager to find and build the supplier base behind Arxlight’s hardware products from the ground up. You’ll focus mainly on electronics: PCBAs and electronic components, batteries, thermal cameras, imaging systems and other critical electrical hardware. You’ll find suppliers, work out who can actually deliver, negotiate the right commercial terms, and make sure they can support us from early prototypes through production. Our schedules move fast and our suppliers span time zones, so you’ll set your own priorities and take a supplier issue from first call to resolution without waiting to be asked. There’s no established playbook or approved vendor list to inherit. You’ll build both, and you’ll be the person the team relies on when a part is late, a supplier falls through or a design changes overnight. You’ll work closely with Engineering, Quality and Manufacturing, but your core job is building a strong, reliable supply base, not doing internal engineering validation. Responsibilities Establish key relationships with suppliers for electronic components, batteries, thermal cameras, imaging systems, and other key electrical hardware. Vet new suppliers for technical capability, quality, capacity, cost, lead time, financial health, and ability to scale with us. Own sourcing from early prototypes and NPI through production, including RFQs, supplier selection, negotiations, and commercial terms. Get ahead of BOM risk by identifying long-lead, sole-source, constrained, and end-of-life components and finding alternatives where possible. Build strong supplier relationships and work directly with them to solve cost, capacity, quality, lead-time, and availability issues. Work closely with Engineering, Quality, and Manufacturing to bring suppliers in early and make sure the supply base is ready as products move into production. Requirements 10+ years of hands-on experience in technical sourcing, strategic sourcing, supplier development, commodity management, or hardware supply chain. Deep experience sourcing electronics, including PCBAs, semiconductors, electronic components, batteries, sensors, cameras, and electrical assemblies. Strong understanding of the electronics supply chain, including manufacturers, distributors, EMS/PCBA suppliers, allocation, lead times, lifecycle, and obsolescence. Proven ability to find, vet, negotiate with, and onboard new suppliers—not just manage an existing supplier list. Strong commercial skills and experience with RFQs, cost breakdowns, pricing, MOQs, NCNRs, NRE, lead times, and capacity agreements. Comfortable working independently, moving quickly, traveling to suppliers, and making good sourcing decisions when requirements are still changing. Nice to have Direct experience sourcing thermal cameras, infrared imaging, EO/IR systems, image sensors, optics, or similar imaging hardware. Strong experience with lithium-ion cells, battery packs, BMS components, and battery suppliers. An existing network of semiconductor manufacturers, distributors, PCBA/EMS partners, battery suppliers, and imaging suppliers. Experience dealing with shortages, allocation, sole-source parts, long lead times, component EOLs, and other real-world electronics supply problems. Experience sourcing hardware for drones, robotics, aerospace, defense, autonomous systems, or other complex hardware products. Experience in a startup or fast-moving hardware company where priorities change quickly and you’re expected to figure things out and get things done.
