--- title: 'Buyer at Venus Aerospace' canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/buyer-venus-aerospace-houston-c3gcqepcz0m9' type: 'job' last_seen: '2026-09-11' --- # Buyer at Venus Aerospace - **Company:** Venus Aerospace - **Location:** Houston, TX - **Employment:** full-time - **Work type:** onsite - **Posted:** 2026-07-30 - **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-11 - **Apply:** https://jobs.lever.co/venusaero/81eaf05b-70c9-48c1-86b1-4640996b8254 ## Job description Who We Are: Venus Aerospace is revolutionizing rocket engine propulsion. With the first generational leap in rocket engine technology since Apollo, our proprietary Rotating Detonation Rocket Engine and Venus Detonation Ramjets deliver historic efficiency and performance across aerospace applications. We are building the next generation of propulsion platforms that enable breakthrough capabilities in space, defense, and commercial high-speed flight. Our team thrives on solving the toughest engineering challenges and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in aerospace. At Venus, we’re looking for bold engineers and innovators who want to make history and redefine the future of propulsion. The Role: Buyer The Buyer plays a pivotal role in driving our mission forward by executing purchase orders and securing the critical machined parts and raw materials that power our advanced engines and components. This position partners closely with Engineering from early R&D through full production ramp, ensuring we have the right materials at the right time to accelerate innovation. In this role, you will make high impact decisions that directly enable the organization to achieve ambitious targets for cost, quality, and delivery, fueling the momentum behind our most complex and transformative programs. ## What You'll Get to Do - Evaluate supplier capabilities, pricing, delivery commitments, and performance to effectively source required materials. - Maintain precise, real-time purchasing data within existing systems while supporting the team’s transition to scalable platforms that will enable the organization’s production growth. - Ensure timely delivery of all materials to the organization. - Manage and maintain strong business relationships with assigned suppliers. - Oversee the RFQ process to obtain competitive bids and secure optimal pricing for goods and services. - Partner closely with Engineering teams to fulfill procurement requirements and serve as the primary point of contact for internal and external stakeholders regarding order status. - Provide timely updates to stakeholders on purchase order progress and anticipated delivery dates. - Lead opportunities to negotiate terms with suppliers to meet quality, cost, and delivery objectives. ## What You Have - Minimum of 5 years of experience in a procurement role, including at least 3 years within the aerospace or manufacturing sectors. - Strong knowledge of machining processes, including CNC milling, CNC turning, multi axis machining, complex assemblies, special processes, and associated inspection requirements. - Experience sourcing tight tolerance, low volume/high mix, prototype, development, and production machined components. - Ability to interpret engineering drawings, CAD models, and technical specifications to verify supplier capability. - Demonstrated success in sourcing, onboarding, and negotiating pricing with suppliers. - Solid understanding of purchasing processes, with the ability to apply systematic thinking to manual workflow. - Effective communication skills for conveying information verbally and in writing to colleagues, vendors, and customers. - Ability to manage multiple priorities and operate effectively in environments with ambiguous or evolving requirements. What Will Set You Apart - Proficient in using MRP systems. - Experience within aerospace, automotive, or other innovative manufacturing industries. - Background in operating within rapid‑growth environments. - Ability to read and accurately interpret engineering drawings. - Familiarity with AS9100 standards and U.S. export control requirements. - Strong organizational and problem‑solving capabilities, with the ability to prioritize tasks effectively and efficiently. - Excellent verbal and written communication skills. - Team‑oriented, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and perform effectively in a fast‑paced environment with competing deadlines. - ASCM/APICS certifications (CPIM and/or CSCP) Location: On-site in Houston, TX Benefits: Venus Aerospace employee benefits include a 401(k) plan, stock options, and medical benefits, including dental and vision. We have a flex-Friday flexible schedule, unlimited PTO, and receive professional development opportunities. ITAR Requirements This position involves access to technology that is subject to U.S. export controls. Any job offer made will be contingent upon the applicant’s capacity to serve in compliance with U.S. export controls. To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be able to meet ITAR requirements (U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State). You can learn more about ITAR here. Venus Aerospace is an Equal Opportunity Employer including Disabled/Veterans. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability. If you have a disability and believe you need a reasonable accommodation, please email careerassistance@venusaero.com or call (281) 203-0027.This email and phone number were created exclusively to assist job seekers whose disability prevents them from being able to apply online. Messages or any other purposes, such as following up on an application, third party staffing agencies, website technical issues, or any other issues not related to a disability, will not receive a response. Messages will be returned within five business days. For additional information about our Equal Opportunity Employment Policy, please visit our EEOP page. ## About Venus Aerospace ## Company Overview - **One-liner**: Venus Aerospace is developing the first generational leap in rocket engine technology since the Apollo era, using a rotating detonation rocket engine (RDRE) to power hypersonic flight for space, defense, and commercial applications. - **Entity Type**: Private (Series A; Total Funding: $46M) - **Headquarters**: Houston, Texas, United States - **Founded**: 2020 - **Founders**: Sassie Duggleby (CEO) and Dr. Andrew Duggleby (CTO) ## Core Business - Primary industry/industries: Aerospace & Defense – Hypersonic propulsion, rocket engine manufacturing, high-speed flight systems. - Target customers: Government (defense, space agencies), commercial aerospace (satellite launch, high-speed transport), and private industry partners. - Mission/Purpose: “Connect the world and make it safer” by enabling one-hour global transport through revolutionary hypersonic technology. ## Products & Services - **Rotating Detonation Rocket Engine (RDRE)**: A breakthrough rocket engine that uses detonation waves for combustion, offering historic efficiency and low cost. Successfully test-flown in May 2025 – the first high-thrust RDRE flight ever. - **Venus Detonation Ramjet (VDR)**: An air-breathing engine combining RDRE with ramjet technology, designed to power vehicles from take-off to sustained hypersonic cruise (Mach 5+). Intended for both defense and commercial high-speed platforms. ## Market Standing - **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not publicly disclosed (private company). - **Key Metric**: Total Funding – **$46M** across multiple rounds; Annual Revenue – **$2.8M** (estimated). - **Notable Investors/Partners**: - Prime Movers Lab (led Series A, $20M, April 2022) - Airbus Ventures (led $15.9M venture round, June 2023) - Texas Space Commission ($3.9M grant, April 2025) - Other partners include NASA, Virgin Orbit alumni team. - **Growth Signals**: - 28.7% headcount growth YoY (69 employees; +28 from previous year) - 27,085 LinkedIn followers (+36% YoY) - Successful first flight test of high-thrust RDRE in May 2025 - Actively hiring for 14 open positions (engineering, manufacturing, test, finance) ## Competitive Advantages - **First fundamental improvement in rocket engine technology in 60+ years** – RDRE eliminates complex turbopumps, reduces part count, and increases efficiency. - **Affordable by design** – Simple construction, standard materials, and reusability allow lower production and operating costs compared to traditional rocket engines. - **Proven flight test** – On May 14, 2025, Venus executed the world’s first high-thrust RDRE test flight, validating the technology. - **Scalable platform** – The same core engine architecture can be used for space launch, hypersonic missiles, and commercial air travel. ## Strategic Focus - Scale the RDRE and VDR engines for production and integration into defense platforms (e.g., hypersonic vehicles, drones) and commercial applications. - Secure additional government contracts and strategic partnerships. - Continue capital-efficient development while growing the team and infrastructure in Houston. - Pursue flight testing of the VDR air-breathing engine. ## Why Work Here - **Impact**: Join a small but fast-growing team working on the most significant propulsion breakthrough since the Apollo missions. - **Culture**: The company emphasizes “curiosity, collaboration, and balance,” trusting engineers to take bold swings and solve tough problems. - **Environment**: On-site work in Houston, Texas – a hub for aerospace innovation (Space City). Offices near major space players. - **Team**: Composed of alumni from Virgin Orbit, SpaceX, Blue Origin, NASA, and top engineering schools. Flat structure with high ownership. - **Growth**: Ability to shape the future of propulsion from an early stage; exposure to full product life cycle from design to flight test. ## Sources 1. [venusaero.com](https://www.venusaero.com/) 2. [venusaero.com/careers](https://www.venusaero.com/careers) 3. [venusaero.com/team](https://www.venusaero.com/team) 4. [linkedin.com/company/venusaero](https://www.linkedin.com/company/venusaero) 5. [jobs.lever.co/venusaero](https://jobs.lever.co/venusaero) ## Other roles at Venus Aerospace - [CNC Programmer](https://feeny.ai/job/cnc-programmer-venus-aerospace-houston-ypsv8w3wny5x) — Houston, TX - [Senior Test Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-test-engineer-venus-aerospace-houston-wytdtrw37vs9) — Houston, TX - [Software Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/software-engineer-venus-aerospace-houston-zcta6neszt08) — Houston, TX - [Principal Propulsion Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/principal-propulsion-engineer-venus-aerospace-oceanside-1m132n6ejwb4) — Oceanside, CA - [Paralegal](https://feeny.ai/job/paralegal-venus-aerospace-remote-fg2k8r2sw3ty) - [Test Technician](https://feeny.ai/job/test-technician-venus-aerospace-houston-zp9g05aq2w29) — Houston, TX - [Business Performance Lead](https://feeny.ai/job/business-performance-lead-venus-aerospace-remote-j22wtwdzc5sn) - [Test Operator](https://feeny.ai/job/test-operator-venus-aerospace-houston-xx10h2bcpamd) — Houston, TX - [Senior Test Operator](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-test-operator-venus-aerospace-houston-bvj8egbz9p4n) — Houston, TX - [Propulsion Drawing Checker/CAD Modeler](https://feeny.ai/job/propulsion-drawing-checker-cad-modeler-venus-aerospace-houston-38vq8haq0zzk) — Houston, TX