Your space-enabled career begins here

SWISSto12 is one of the world’s fastest-growing aerospace companies, evolving from its pioneering use of 3D printing technologies for high-performance Radio Frequency (RF)products and applications to recently announcing the manufacture of entire geostationary telecom satellites, called HummingSat, that define a new category in space.

HummingSat is the world’s first commercial telecom GEO SmallSat developed in collaboration with the European Space Agency (ESA). Its uniquely compact size combined with highly capable telecom payloads allows telecommunications operators to deploy a cost-efficient, compact and agile asset without sacrificing performance or security. HummingSat has recently been selected by Inmarsat to build three I-8 satellites and in 2022 by Intelsat to build the I-45 satellite.

SWISSto12 is also a leading provider of Radio-Frequency (RF) products and sub-systems. The company’s patented 3D printing technologies and associated product designs are unique to deliver lightweight, compact, highly performing, and competitive RF products.

We are looking for an experienced payload engineer to join our development and customer program execution efforts on GEO telecom satellites and advanced flexible payloads.

This position is a unique opportunity to lead the development of a new class of telecommunication satellites. If you are looking for position where you can play an active role in contributing to an innovative and fast-growing company, this role is for you.

In this role, you will be responsible for the following functions:

• Lead procurement functions and teams for the company.

• Ensure that the company has a robust supply chain strategy that supports its business. As an indication, SWISSto12’s procurement volume exceeds 100m$/year.

• Work with the procurement team and different product lines and departments to identify business requirements and translate these into a supply chain strategy that reduces the cost of sales, ensures on time and on quality deliveries with reliable suppliers. Identify potential risks and challenges associated with the supply chain and develop mitigation strategies.

• Develop processes and workflows with the procurement team.

• Develop with the procurement team partnerships with key Suppliers.

• In the interests of continuous improvement, review and adjust the supply chain to ensure we meet changing business needs and communicate the strategy at all levels.

• Lead relationship and negotiations on large key accounts and strategic transactions.

• Continue to build, develop and lead a high performing team motivated and committed to delivering exceptional service. Coach and develop team members to improve their supply chain expertise and commercial awareness.

• Build productive relationships with key stakeholders across the business both internally and externally.

• Collaborate with sales, project managers and production teams to forecast demand, anticipate customer needs, and develop accurate demand plans.

• Resolve escalations of supply chain issues as they arise including negotiations bottlenecks, invoice queries, service queries, change queries

• Drive strategy for sourcing new suppliers and innovation in the supply chain.

• Have a hands-on approach to work tasks with the team, including filling where needed any role within the procurement team.

• Ensure compliance with industry standards, best practices, and quality assurance processes throughout the supply chain activities.

Required experience and competencies:

• Min 20 years' experience in a senior supply chain/execution role in a high-tech industry.

• Excellent leadership and people management skills, with proven experience developing a strong supply chain team and culture including: talent acquisition and retention, team building, coaching and performance management

• Proven strong negotiation skills in yearly volumes of a substantial size and complexity (order of magnitude > 50m$)

• Experience in the Space industry is not mandatory but is an asset.

• Excellent communication skills including excellent relationship building skills and ability to work in and with teams from different professional and cultural backgrounds,

• Attention to detail and very good organizational skills,

• Strong decision-making skills and a pragmatic results-driven approach,

• Proactive problem-solving with drive to chase issues through to their conclusion

• Excellent understanding of financial concepts, commercial deals and highly analytical

• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment

• Very good knowledge of English

Working conditions and contract:

This position will be based in our Lausanne, Switzerland office.

More about SWISSto12:

SWISSto12 has successfully established contracts with Intelsat (acq. SES), Inmarsat (acq. ViaSat) and ESA for HummingSat as well as an established and growing business for its RF product line in Europe, and the US. SWISSto12 spun-off from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL) in 2011, is privately owned and backed by prominent Swiss and European Investors. SWISSto12 is headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland, and operates a US-subsidiary in Foster City. The company is well funded for its near and mid-term developments and backed by a solid customer revenue stream