Procurement Engineer

Skyrora are the UK’s leading New-Space small satellite launch vehicle engineering company, based in Edinburgh. Skyrora’s mission is to provide a versatile and dedicated sovereign launch capability to serve the world-leading satellite manufacturers local to the UK and Europe. Leading the UK’s effort to create a sustainable and environmentally friendly launch vehicle, Skyrora combines world-leading innovative engineering solutions for the construction of its launch vehicles and liquid propulsion technologies. A focus of our technology approach is to minimise the impact on the immediate environment.

Small and Micro satellites are being used more and more in everyday life, with the manufacturing rate increasing year by year. They assist us by tracking forest fires, providing communications to remote places and capturing high-definition images of the Earth, to name a few. There is currently a lack of launch opportunities for smallsats, and it is Skyrora’s goal to open this access to space, to unlock the potential for all.

We design and build our launch vehicles in house and aim to launch from the UK with our Skyrora XL, a 3-stage liquid launch vehicle. We have built the UK’s largest test engine facility, this ground-breaking testing infrastructure will aid the testing of engines on our orbital Skyrora XL launch vehicle, allowing Skyrora to both become the first British company to launch from British soil and deliver sovereign UK launch capability at scale in the long term. In our engine development, we performed over 120 liquid engine tests in 2020 alone. Globally, we have recently secured over £3M in ESA funding, to accelerate our development activities.

We have built the UK’s largest test engine facility, this ground-breaking testing infrastructure will aid the testing of engines on our orbital Skyrora XL launch vehicle, allowing Skyrora to both become the first British company to launch from British soil and deliver sovereign UK launch capability at scale in the long term!

Team working is at our core and we face new challenges every day. Every member of Skyrora’s diverse team demonstrates entrepreneurial flexibility to cooperate and establish sustainable solutions to all the challenges thrown at us; from creating the legal landscape enabling space flight in UK, to societal challenge of fighting global pandemics such as COVID-19, Skyrora is constantly challenging itself.

Why not challenge yourself in trying to get the UK back to space?

About the Role

Skyrora are looking for a Procurement Engineer to co-ordinate and develop our fast-growing team, to maintain and improve our procurement processes and procedures, manage purchases and continue to generate strong relationships with our partners.

You will work to ensure that all procurement is diligently made and recorded, work across the entire Skyrora team and with Project Managers to facilitate the development of launch vehicles in a faster and more cost-effective way, manage and create supplier relationships. You will be responsible for implementing strategies to better improve the current procurement system as well creating documentation for BMS. The ideal candidate will not only require strong leadership and management skills, but also have the technical experience to guide and support the team to continuous improvement within the procurement process.

Key Responsibilities and Tasks

Working as a Procurement Engineer, you will:

· Ensure continuity of supply through effective supplier management and lead escalation meetings with suppliers and team leads for parts shortages or supplier changes

· Set up an effective supply strategy and implement this amongst the team

· Work to improve delivery lead times and cost effectiveness on all Skyrora projects.

· Monitor and manage performance of suppliers to ensure that the company continues to use those providing the best delivery service levels

· Manage end to end procurement, ensuring compliance with processes, policies, and procedures.

· Develop and maintain strong, added value relationships with suppliers

· Ensure that the supply chain is competent in health and safety, quality, and environmental management

· Implement new procurement frameworks for key activities.

· Maintain and improve the current Supply Chain System in place, to improve traceability of all parts and to be compliant with AS:9100.

· Manage and resolve purchase order discrepancies and invoice issues

· ERP system data is continually updated to ensure accuracy of information for financial reporting and product and service planning

· Report key performance data to HoE at weekly management meetings e.g., capacity, progress against targets, failure rates, shipping lead time, etc.

· Liaise with the accounts team to process all purchases

· Manage goods in/out and inventory processing

· Consistently seek to improve performance through purchasing metrics

· Negotiate deals on the manufacture of complex parts, such as CNC machining or additive manufacturing

· Provide updates and identify key risks and opportunities from procurement which may affect company projects to HoE

· Work with Project Management, Legal and Operations Teams to ensure compliance for all Import/Export.

Preferred Experience & Skills

The ideal candidate should be able to have:

· Bachelor’s in a STEM degree or equivalent vocational experience

· 5+ years’ professional experience in Procurement or Supply Chain

· A confident working understanding with Technical Drawings, Datasheets and Financial Data

· Experience working with suppliers and partners.

· Experience using Procurement Software

· Detail-oriented organisation and administration skills

· Must be able to set goals, prioritize multiple objectives with various deadlines.

· Experience coordinating external contacts.

· Demonstrable success in supply and procurement optimisation including setting up a sustainable supplier's network.

· Excellent verbal and written communication

· Exceptional customer service and polite demeanour

Additional Requirements

· Must be willing to work in a dynamic teamwork-oriented environment.

· Valid passport and be legal to live and work in the UK.

· Must be able to successfully pass vetting requirements.

To apply, please send your CV and Cover Letter to with the subject header displaying the job code E-M-PEO01.

Job Type: Full-time

Salary: From £34,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Company events
• Company pension
• Language training provided
• On-site parking

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Glasgow: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Experience:

• Procurement: 2 years (required)
• Purchasing: 2 years (required)

Work Location: In person

Reference ID: E-M-PE001