Entry-level Positions at Relativity Space for Aspiring Global Supply Managers
For undergrads and grad students aspiring to enter the space industry, especially Relativity Space, there are various entry points in supply chain and engineering, including roles like "global supply specialist" focusing on commercial off-the-shelf parts and order management, production or procurement coordinators managing inventory, and entry-level engineering positions centered on learning rocket design and assembly. Alexander emphasizes that while expertise isn't expected from the start, "urgency to learn" and eagerness to absorb knowledge from experienced colleagues are crucial for young professionals to contribute effectively.
Supply Chain Management, Aerospace Engineering, Procurement, Inventory Management, Entry-Level Positions
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Alexander Jassemidis
Global Supply Manager
Relativity Space
Arizona State University
Masters of Business Analytics, Arizona State University (ASU) - W. P. Carey
Industrial, Supply Chain Management
Aerospace, Aviation & Defense, Technology
Operations and Project Management
Worked 20+ Hours in School, Greek Life Member, Transfer Student
Video Highlights
1. Entry-level supply chain positions include global supply specialists who focus on commercial off-the-shelf parts, order management, and supplier relationship maintenance.
2. Production or procurement coordinators manage inventory and the movement of parts within the company.
3. Entry-level engineering roles focus on learning how a rocket works, building assemblies, and designing parts, emphasizing a willingness to learn from experienced colleagues.
Transcript
What entry-level positions are there in this field that an undergraduate or a graduate student might consider?
I think there's a lot, and it really depends on your background. On the supply chain side, in my company at least, you have a global supply specialist. This can be someone who focuses on smaller, commercial off-the-shelf parts like bearings, seals, glues, tapes, whatever the case is.
They also focus on order management and ensuring those more complex parts arrive on time. They maintain relationships with suppliers that the supply managers have built.
Other roles could be a production coordinator or a procurement coordinator. These roles are in charge of the inventory and movement of parts. You also have entry-level engineering roles tailored towards learning how a rocket works, how to build assemblies, and how to design rocket parts.
I don't think most space companies expect you to graduate knowing how to design or build a rocket part. However, they do expect you to have an urgency to learn. There are always people with extensive knowledge above you who are eager to share it, especially to help the company succeed.
Companies need young people to come in with an eagerness to learn and to learn from those with more experience. Ultimately, for the supply chain society, you have global supply specialists and engineering roles.
These engineering roles can be mechanical engineering roles within the build itself, or responsible engineering roles within the design of rocket parts. You also have production and procurement coordinators who focus on the inventory and movement of parts within the facility.
Then there are buyers, like level one buyers, who solely focus on purchasing parts. They base their decisions on historical prices or negotiated prices from your supply manager. There are many different entry-level roles that can lead you to become a supply manager.