Senior Supply Chain Engineer – Electronics
Who Are We?
At HyPrix, we're building attritable payload delivery systems for autonomy. Things that fly fast, we're enabling them with conscious software. Replicating the capabilities of expensive conventional frontline systems, we're building the cheapest micro and cruise missile systems on the planet. Built for a war of attrition, built for the era of software-defined warfare, built to cater to the front lines of battlefields where no man should stand in the future.
Learn more about us:
What You'll Do
The Senior Supply Chain Engineer – Electronics owns the supply of the specialised sensors and RF components in HyPrix flight systems. The position holder also owns the supply of all other electronic commodities, from the first schematic to series production.
Most sensors and RF components come from aerospace and defence suppliers. These parts often have few sources, long lead times and export controls. Semiconductors, passive components, PCBs, PCBAs, cables, connectors and batteries are also in the scope of this role.
Sensor and RF supply base. Map the aerospace and defence suppliers for each sensor and RF commodity, in India and abroad. Record the capability, capacity, lead time, export status and country of origin of each supplier. Find a second source for each single-source part.
Specialised sensors. Source inertial sensors and INS, GNSS receivers and antennas, EO/IR cameras, seekers, air-data sensors and radar altimeters. Compare the performance, calibration, environmental qualification and export status of each candidate with the avionics team. Get samples and evaluation units for engineering tests.
RF components. Source datalink radios, RF modules, transceivers, antennas, amplifiers, filters, and RF cables and connectors. Check frequency, power, gain, VSWR, noise figure and test data against the specification with the RF engineer. Get evaluation units for link tests.
Procurement specifications. Write the procurement specification for each sensor and RF item with the engineering team. Include the performance limits, environmental tests, acceptance tests, data deliverables and part labels. Make sure that each RFQ uses the current revision of the specification.
Supplier qualification. Qualify sensor and RF suppliers with the quality team. Check their AS9100 status, test facilities, calibration traceability and change control. Do a first article inspection (AS9102) on the first lot of each part.
Acceptance data. Agree the calibration data and acceptance test reports with each supplier. Make sure that each unit arrives with its calibration certificate, serial number and certificate of conformance. Set up receipt tests for critical COTS units with engineering.
Export controls and approvals. Identify the parts that need end-user certificates, foreign export licences or WPC approvals. Prepare the technical data for each request. Include the licence time in each lead-time plan.
Supply risk and obsolescence. Identify single-source, long-lead, allocation, geopolitical and export-control risks across each BOM. Keep buffer stock and last-time buys for these parts. Keep a recovery plan for each high-risk part. Monitor the PCN, EOL and counterfeit alerts for each part. Approve alternates with engineering.
Cost and negotiation. Build should-cost models for sensor and RF items. Lead RFQs. Analyse each quote by its cost breakdown. Negotiate price, lead time, MOQ and scheduled deliveries within the delegation of authority. Set frame agreements with key suppliers. Share design data only under NDA, and only to the extent that each supplier needs.
Component selection. Review BOMs and schematics with the electronics team before design freeze. Give advice on lifecycle, lead time, price, export status and second source for each part. Prefer parts that more than one manufacturer makes.
PCB, PCBA and BOM cost. Qualify PCB fabricators, EMS assembly houses and harness makers. Control the build package: Gerbers, BOM, assembly drawings, IPC class and test requirements. Reduce the BOM cost with alternates, common parts and volume buys, with engineering approval.
Authorised supply and batteries. Buy from manufacturers and authorised distributors. Use brokers only when no authorised stock exists, and then only with test and full traceability. Apply counterfeit-part controls to AS5553 and AS6081. Make sure that stores apply ESD and moisture-sensitivity (MSL) controls. Source lithium cells and battery packs with UN 38.3 test reports and safety data sheets. Plan dangerous-goods transport with the freight forwarder.
Engineering changes and origin. Send each new drawing or BOM revision from the PLM system to the affected suppliers. Close open orders against old revisions. Record the country of origin of each part. Replace parts from restricted countries when the customer requires it.
Supplier performance and development. Keep an OTIF and quality scorecard for each supplier. Get a recovery plan when a supplier misses a date. Find Indian sources and form-fit-function equivalents for imported sensors and RF parts. Develop these suppliers until they qualify.
Bid support and team. Supply part costs, lead times and export data for proposals. Give RFQ, follow-up and PO tasks to the Supply Chain Engineer. Train the engineer and review the work.
Requirements
Minimum Experience (Years)
6 years of electronic component sourcing or commodity management in aerospace, defence or space. This includes 3 years with sensor, RF or microwave suppliers.
HyPrix prefers this experience, but it is not mandatory. Demonstrated capability is more important than years.
Required Skills
Sensors and RF. Ability to source sensor and RF parts on technical merit. Compare candidates on bias stability, random walk, noise, gain, VSWR and noise figure, and check supplier test data against the specification.
A&D supply base. Experience with aerospace and defence suppliers of inertial, GNSS, EO/IR or RF products, in India or abroad.
Export controls. Experience with imports of controlled parts, end-user certificates and foreign export licences, such as ITAR, EAR or EU dual-use.
Supplier qualification. Experience with AS9100 suppliers, first article inspection (AS9102) and acceptance test data.
Cost analysis. Experience with should-cost models and quote analysis by cost breakdown.
Components. Good knowledge of active and passive components, PCB fabrication, SMT assembly and harness manufacture.
Standards. Good knowledge of IPC-A-610, IPC/WHMA-A-620, and AS5553 or AS6081.
Technical data. Ability to read a BOM, a schematic and a datasheet, and to assess an alternate part with engineering.
Supply networks. Experience with manufacturer and distributor networks, part-search and lifecycle tools, and last-time buys.
Systems. Experience with ERP or MRP systems.
A bachelor's degree in electronics, electrical, electronics and communication or instrumentation engineering.
Advantageous Skills/Qualifications
Experience to source seekers, IR detectors or radar altimeters.
Experience with WPC approvals for radio equipment.
Experience with military, automotive (AEC-Q) or space-grade parts and their screening.
Knowledge of MIL-STD-810 and MIL-STD-461 qualification data.
Experience with batteries and cells.
Knowledge of the indigenous content rules of the Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP).
Experience to develop Indian sensor, RF, EMS or harness suppliers.
Knowledge of PLM or PDM tools for BOM and revision control.
Benefits
Why Join HyPrix?
HyPrix is a lean team with no rule book. Each person receives an end goal tied to a real product, and decides how to achieve it.
The Senior Supply Chain Engineer – Electronics decides which sensors, RF components and electronic parts HyPrix buys, from which source and at what cost.