Technical Buyer - Laser and Optical Systems

Summary
QuEra builds neutral-atom quantum computers. Every machine depends on a large and growing set of laser and optical systems, sourced from specialist suppliers worldwide and deployed across our global sites.
The Technical Buyer will report to the head of Supply Chain, but work hand in hand with the Laser and Optical Systems team to manage QuEra’s Optical and Laser Vendor Base. QuEra’s Optical and Laser vendor base is the most critical aspect of the supply chain. The role requires competencies in both the technical and commercial sides of the business.
This is a vendor management role with fundamental technical competences in optics. You will work with Optical Systems Team to establish technical specifications with the vendor based on the latest R&D. You will need enough fluency to read a specification, judge a quotation against it, and hold a supplier to what was ordered. You will also need to operate in technical and commercial spaces that are fluid. You must be able to balance technical requirements and deliverable within commercial constraints.
The hardware purchases you will be managing are often state-of-the-art New Products (NPI) for our vendors. Specifications are not always settled when an order is placed; few suppliers can meet them, and nothing is held in stock. Lead times are long, every unit is verified on arrival before it is deployed. Sourcing spans multiple regions with trade compliance and controlled handling. Your skillset should be able to help develop vendor KPI’s, keep vendors accountable for non-conforming materials, and find opportunities for new relationships.
Focus Areas
Active components: laser sources, optical amplifiers, modulators, and servo electronics.
Passive components: optical isolators, nonlinear optical materials, and polarization-maintaining components.
Custom fiber optics and assemblies, including high-power handling and specialty terminations.
Integrated laser modules, precision optical assemblies, and associated spares and service parts.
Routine catalog items continue through the existing purchasing process.
Responsibilities
Sourcing and purchasing
Evaluate vendor competencies based on QuEra's R&D specifications and capacity.
Turn approved specifications into quotable requests; collect and normalize quotations for like-for-like comparison across development cost, lead time, and warranty.
Understand the vendors ability to both delivery quality product and scale capacity as QuEra moves towards a production environment.
Develop and Maintain an RFI / RFP / RFQ for new and existing vendors in a dynamic R&D environment.
Maintain the qualified supplier list by category and track supplier delivery and quality performance
Act as the intermediary for the Optics and Laser Systems Team and G&A for all high dollar procurements. Ensure that all technical