What are the responsibilities and job description for the Procurement Specialist position at xLight Inc.?
xLight is building the next-generation light source for semiconductor manufacturing — harnessing free-electron laser technology to deliver an industrial-grade, continuously operating light source for advanced patterning, metrology, and inspection.
Position Summary
xLight Inc. is seeking an experienced Procurement Specialist to manage complex, high-value acquisitions for accelerator components and associated systems. This role requires deep familiarity with the specialized supply chains, technical specifications, and regulatory frameworks characteristic of procurements at DOE national laboratories (e.g., SLAC, ANL, BNL, LANL, FNAL). The ideal candidate will serve as a critical link between engineering teams, suppliers, and project management, ensuring technically compliant, cost-effective, and schedule-driven procurement outcomes.
Key Responsibilities
Procurement & Sourcing
- Lead end-to-end procurement of complex accelerator components including RF systems, vacuum components, magnets (dipoles, quadrupoles, undulators), cryogenic assemblies, power supplies, diagnostics equipment, and precision mechanical structures.
- Develop and execute sourcing strategies for sole-source, limited-source, and competitive acquisition scenarios, including justification documentation.
- Draft, issue, and evaluate Requests for Proposal (RFPs), Requests for Quotation (RFQs), and Invitations for Bid (IFBs) for technically demanding hardware.
- Identify, qualify, and manage a global supplier base, including domestic and international vendors with experience supplying DOE, CERN, and similar large-scale physics facilities.
Contract Management
- Negotiate terms and conditions, pricing, delivery schedules, and performance guarantees for high-value purchase orders and subcontracts.
- Ensure contract compliance with applicable federal acquisition regulations (FAR/DEAR), export control requirements (EAR/ITAR), and xLight Inc. internal procurement policies.
- Manage contract modifications, change orders, and claims resolution throughout the procurement lifecycle.
- Administer supplier performance, including milestone tracking, delivery status, and nonconformance resolution.
Technical Collaboration
- Partner closely with engineers, physicists, and project managers to translate complex technical specifications into actionable procurement documents.
- Evaluate supplier technical proposals for compliance with drawings, specifications, and quality requirements (e.g., ASME, AWS, ANSI standards relevant to accelerator hardware).
- Support make-or-buy analyses and long-lead item identification for project planning.
Quality & Compliance
- Enforce procurement quality requirements including First Article Inspections (FAI), Source Inspections, Certificates of Conformance, and material traceability documentation.
- Maintain meticulous procurement records in support of audits, project reviews, and federal reporting requirements.
Strategic & Administrative
- Maintain awareness of market conditions, lead times, and pricing trends for specialized accelerator hardware.
- Support budget planning and cost estimating activities for future procurements.
- Contribute to continuous improvement of procurement processes, tools, and supplier qualification programs.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, Physics, or a related field.
- 5 years of procurement experience with technically complex hardware, preferably in a DOE national laboratory, defense, aerospace, or scientific instrumentation environment.
- Demonstrated experience procuring accelerator components or similarly complex scientific equipment.
- Experience with export control regulations (EAR/ITAR) as applied to procurement activities.
- Proficiency with ERP/procurement systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, Costpoint) and MS Office Suite.
- Strong negotiation, communication, and analytical skills.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience at or with a DOE Office of Science laboratory (SLAC, ANL, BNL, FNAL, ORNL, LBNL, etc.) or a DOE prime contractor.
- Familiarity with accelerator physics terminology and component functionality (RF cavities, undulators, beam diagnostics, vacuum systems, cryomodules, etc.).
- Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM), Certified Federal Contracts Manager (CFCM), or equivalent professional certification.
- Experience with project-based procurement in a critical-path environment.
- Knowledge of quality standards such as NQA-1, ISO 9001, or AS9100.
What We Offer
- Competitive salary commensurate with experience
- Comprehensive health, dental, and vision benefits
- 401(k) with company match
- Paid time off and holidays
- Collaborative, mission-driven work environment at the frontier of accelerator science
- Opportunities to contribute to landmark scientific projects
xLight Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.