
Global Supply Manager, Motors & Magnets at 1X (San Carlos, CA)
1X· San Carlos, CA· $145k–$222k·
Role details
Comprehensive Medical, Dental, And Vision Coverage · Generous Paid Time Off · Company Holidays · Parental Leave · 401(K) Plan With Company Match · Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) · Health Savings Accounts (HSA) · Commuter Benefits
1X at a glance
1X builds general-purpose humanoid robots, led by NEO, a soft-bodied home robot aimed at handling household chores and heading into industrial fleets.
Designs and manufactures general-purpose humanoid robots and the AI that runs them, most notably NEO, a bipedal home robot, and EVE, a wheeled industrial humanoid.
~$136M disclosed raised · latest: Series B, $100M (January 2024, led by EQT Ventures) · backed by EQT Ventures, OpenAI Startup Fund, Samsung NEXT, Tiger Global
Summary
Own sourcing strategy and commercial relationships for motors, magnets, and electromechanical components. Partner with Engineering and Manufacturing to build a resilient global supplier network supporting high-volume production of humanoid robots.
Job description
About 1X
We’re building humanoid robots that work in home - doing the chores, handling the tasks, and giving people their time back. Simple, but it’s not.
To do this right, we have to solve robotics, AI, manufacturing - at the same time, at scale, in a form factor that has to be safe enough to live with your family. If you’re inspired by this, you’ll thrive here. We’ve been at this since 2014 and we’re at the point where the hard problems are behind us and the hard work is in front of us.
NEO is our flagship - a home robot designed to move, learn, and operate in the real world alongside real people. We’re not demoing it - we’re shipping it. We’re excited to meet you, if this excites you.
If you’ve spent your career working on problems that matter and want to see them actually reach the world - this is that moment. We’re scaling, we’re hiring with intention, and we need people who want to build something that will genuinely change how humans spend their time - safely creating abundance for all.
About the Team
The Supply Chain team at 1X is responsible for building and scaling the global supplier network that powers our humanoid robots. We work closely with Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, and Operations to bring highly complex electromechanical systems from concept to mass production.
As part of the Supply Chain organization, you will help ensure our products can scale from prototype to volume production through robust supplier partnerships, operational excellence, and proactive risk management. Your work directly impacts product performance, cost, quality, and our ability to successfully ramp NEO at scale.
Your Charter
As the Global Supply Manager for Motors & Magnets, you will own the sourcing strategy, commercial relationships, and supply continuity for critical motion system components including motors, gearboxes, magnetic assemblies, and related electromechanical systems. You will partner closely with Engineering, Manufacturing, and Supplier Development teams to build a resilient supply base capable of supporting aggressive product development timelines and high-volume production.
Key Outcomes
- Develop and execute sourcing strategies that deliver competitive cost, quality, capacity, and technology advantages across the motors and magnets commodity space.
- Secure supply continuity through supplier selection, capacity planning, risk mitigation, and dual-source strategies.
- Drive measurable cost improvements through negotiations, value engineering, market intelligence, and strategic supplier partnerships.
- Build and maintain a high-performing global supplier network capable of supporting rapid product development and production scaling.
- Ensure supplier performance consistently meets business requirements for quality, delivery, responsiveness, and operational excellence.
Key Competencies
- Deep understanding of motor manufacturing, magnetic materials, gearboxes, actuators, and electromechanical systems.
- Strong commercial negotiation skills with demonstrated success managing complex supplier relationships and agreements.
- Ability to evaluate supplier capabilities, manufacturing processes, cost structures, and scalability risks.
- Strong analytical and data-driven decision-making capabilities with experience managing cost models and commodity strategies.
- Excellent cross-functional collaboration skills with the ability to influence engineering, operations, manufacturing, and supplier stakeholders.
Minimum Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, Business, Operations, or a related discipline.
- 6+ years of experience in global sourcing, supply chain management, strategic sourcing, commodity management, or procurement.
- Direct experience sourcing motors, magnetic materials, gearboxes, actuators, or related electromechanical components.
- Proven track record developing sourcing strategies, negotiating commercial agreements, and managing supplier performance.
- Experience supporting new product introduction (NPI), production ramp-ups, and global supplier management.
Preferred Skills
- Experience sourcing rare earth magnets, permanent magnet materials, or motor subassemblies.
- Strong understanding of motor design, magnetic circuit fundamentals, and manufacturing processes.
- Experience working with suppliers throughout Asia, particularly China.
- Mandarin language proficiency.
- Experience in robotics, automotive, aerospace, consumer electronics, or other high-volume electromechanical industries.
What Does a Successful 1X Team Member Look Like? Team members at 1X who thrive here are builders. They move fast, own their work completely, and treat time like it’s the one thing you can’t get back - because it is. They say what they mean, finish what they start, and hold themselves to a standard before anyone has to ask. We push each other to be better, and we do it with honesty and respect.
Compensation Range
$145,000 - $222,000 per year
Benefits
- Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
- Generous paid time off, company holidays, and parental leave
- 401(k) plan with company match (100% on the first 3% of contributions, 50% on the next 2%)
- Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) and Health Savings Accounts (HSA) options
- Commuter benefits (transit and parking)
- Short-term and long-term disability, and life insurance
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for mental health, financial, and personal support
- Onsite snacks and catered lunches
Equal Opportunity Employer
1X is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, marital status, medical condition, genetic information, disability, military or veteran status, justice system impact, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.
Why work at 1X
- Culture: Fast-paced, mission-driven environment focused on building humanoid robots that coexist with humans. Strong emphasis on AI, hardware, and real-world impact.
- Work model: Likely on-site for hardware and AI roles (multiple offices in Palo Alto, San Carlos, Sunnyvale, Hayward, and Moss). Some software roles may offer flexibility.
- Notable perks: Opportunity to work on cutting-edge robotics and AI, contribute to a product (NEO) that is already entering homes, and be part of a rapidly scaling company with strong funding.
- Engineering culture: High concentration of talent from Tesla, Apple, Google, and SpaceX. Active research in biomechanics, reinforcement learning, and simulation. linkedin.com
- Open roles: 65+ positions listed on the careers page across AI, hardware, software, operations, and manufacturing. 1x.tech