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 ourglobal sites.

The Technical Buyerwill report to the head of Supply Chain but work hand in hand with theLaser and Optical Systems teamto manage QuEras Optical and Laser Vendor Base. QuEras Optical and Laser vendor base is the most critical aspect of the supply role requires competencies in both the technical and commercial sides of the business.

This is avendor management role withfundamental technical willwork with Optical SystemsTeam toestablishtechnicalspecificationswith the vendor based on the latestR& need enough fluency to read a specification judge a quotation against it and hold a supplier to what was will also need tooperatein technical and commercial mustbe able to balance technical requirementsand deliverable within commercial constraints.

The hardwarepurchasesyou will be managingareoftenstate-of-the-artNew Products(NPI)for our vendors. Specifications are not always settled when an order isplaced;few suppliers can meet them and nothing is held in stock. Lead times arelongevery unit is verified on arrival before it is spans multiple regions withtradecompliance and controlled handling. Your skillsetshould be able to help develop vendor KPIs keep vendors accountable for non-conforming materials and findopportunities 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 QuErasR&Dspecifications and capacity.

• Turn approved specifications into quotable requests; collect and normalize quotations for like-for-like comparison across development cost lead time and warranty.

• Understandthevendorsabilityto bothdelivery quality product andscalecapacity asQuEramoves towards aproductionenvironment.

• Develop and Maintain an RFI / RFP / RFQ for new and existing vendorsin a dynamic R&D environment.

• Maintain the qualified supplier list by category and track supplier delivery and quality performance

• Act as the intermediary for theOptics andLaserSystemsTeam and G&A for all high dollar thatall technical and administrativedetailshave been completed before contracts andpurchaseorders are executed.

• Work with internal stakeholders on material delivery plan and hold vendors accountable to that plan.

• Coordinate factory acceptancewitness testingpre-shipment documentation and incoming quality inspection.

RMAs warranty and disputes

• Own Vendor RMAsand systematize processes that drive down their likelihood of reoccurring.

• Carry thesuppliercorrespondence on RMAs warranty claims anddisputes.

• Resolve commercial disputes overspecificationconformance delivery or damage working with the technical team on the technical position and with Legal whererequired.

• Have a general understanding ofhow toimplement Supplier Corrective Action Requests.

• Maintain warranty records flag expiry in advance and report RMA volume turnaround and recurring causes.

Logisticsand compliance

• Support Custom Packaging Projects forLaser and Optics Systems with the Engineering Team.

• Support the LogisticsTeam withCustomsand ExportComplianceas necessary.

Required Qualifications

• Degree in a science or engineering field or equivalent hands-on technical trainingin technical salesopticalengineeringoropticsquality management.

• Two or more years working hands-on with lasers or optical systems in a lab field service applications engineering or technical sales role.

• Twoor more years in supplier-facing commercial work in a hardware environment.

• Ability to read a technical specification and hold a supplier accountable to it.

• Experiencewith ERPor QMSsystems.

• Rigorous documentation habits: purchase records serial numbers and configuration states recorded as a matter of course.

• Experience with laser and optical specifications: power wavelength linewidth polarization and fiber interfaces.

Preferred Qualifications

• Photonics or precision instrumentation background

• Familiarity with procurement under federal funding

• Multi-site or multi-country operations experience

If you have spent your career on the technical side of lasers and optics and want to move into a role that runs the commercial andlogisticspath we would like to hear from you.

QuEra is committed to cultivating a diverse work environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We highly value diversity in our current and future employees and do not discriminate (including in our hiring and promotion practices) based on race religion color national origin gender gender expression sexual orientation age marital status veteran status disability status or any other characteristic protected by law.

#LI-DA1