---
title: 'Head of Supply Chain at Fortastra Corporation'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/head-of-supply-chain-fortastra-corporation-torrance-1s2mnd4xjaf4'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-07'
---

# Head of Supply Chain at Fortastra Corporation

- **Company:** Fortastra Corporation
- **Location:** Torrance, CA
- **Posted:** 2026-05-29
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-07
- **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/fortastracorporation/jobs/4265685009

## Job description

Company Overview Fortastra designs and delivers resilient, high-performance spacecraft that safeguard critical orbital assets and ensure freedom of action in space. We integrate advanced autonomy, sensing, and control into systems engineered for reliability, speed, and scale. Our culture values simplicity, accountability, and disciplined execution. We expect leaders to think systemically, act decisively, and take ownership of mission outcomes. Aggressive innovation. Disciplined execution. Strength among the stars.

## Team / Department

You will lead Fortastra’s Supply Chain function within the Engineering Division, owning supplier strategy, procurement execution, and hardware readiness across our spacecraft portfolio.

## The Role

Fortastra is seeking a Head of Supply Chain to lead the company’s supply chain strategy in support of rapidly developing autonomous spacecraft systems. This is a hands-on leadership role focused on supplier management, procurement execution, and hardware readiness across the company’s spacecraft programs. You will build the operational foundation required to rapidly develop, integrate, and deliver mission-critical hardware in dynamic and constrained environments. The ideal candidate brings experience operating in fast-paced aerospace or defense environments and enabling engineering teams to move quickly without sacrificing execution or reliability.

## Key Responsibilities

- Own the company’s supply chain strategy across spacecraft hardware and products
- Lead supplier sourcing, qualification, negotiation, and vendor management activities
- Drive procurement and long-lead planning to support aggressive development timelines
- Partner closely with engineering and manufacturing to improve manufacturability, scalability, and hardware readiness
- Identify and mitigate supplier, production, and material risks before they impact execution
- Establish operational processes for purchasing, inventory management, and production planning
- Support manufacturing, integration, and test activities through effective material coordination
- Build and lead a high-performing supply chain organization as the company scales
- Act as the primary operational authority for supply chain planning and execution across programs

## Qualifications and Skills

- B.S. or higher in Supply Chain, Engineering, Operations, Business, or related field
- 8+ years of experience in aerospace, defense, spacecraft, aviation, robotics, or other high-reliability hardware environments
- Demonstrated experience managing complex suppliers, procurement activities, and hardware delivery schedules
- Strong understanding of supply chain operations, production planning, and hardware lifecycle management
- Experience supporting rapid development programs and prototype-to-production transitions
- Proven ability to operate cross-functionally with engineering, manufacturing, and program teams
- Experience working within fast-paced, high-accountability environments
- Familiarity with ERP/MRP systems, purchasing workflows, and inventory management practices
- Strong organizational, communication, and execution skills
- Familiarity with aerospace quality, traceability, DFARS, and ITAR environments preferred

## Requirements

- On-site role (no remote or hybrid arrangements)
- U.S. Citizenship required
- Ability to obtain or hold an active TS/SCI clearance desired

Why Fortastra? Join a small, high-impact team building the next generation of autonomous orbital control systems for national security space. At Fortastra, leaders own outcomes — from first principles through flight — and directly shape the future of resilient, mission-critical spacecraft autonomy.

## About Fortastra Corporation

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Fortastra is building intelligent, maneuverable spacecraft designed to protect critical on-orbit infrastructure for government, allied, and commercial customers.
- **Entity Type**: Private (Seed/Early Stage)
- **Headquarters**: Torrance, California, USA
- **Founded**: 2025
- **Founders**: Mike Smayda (CEO)

## Core Business
- **Primary industry**: Aerospace & Defense, Space Security
- **Target customers**: U.S. Government (Space Force, DoD), allied and partner nations, commercial satellite operators
- **Mission or purpose statement**: To build the systems that keep space safe by developing spacecraft that maneuver, assess, and take action to protect the space systems the world depends on.

## Products & Services
- **Watchdog Satellite Line**: A planned family of maneuverable, autonomous satellites designed to act as "bodyguards" for high-value space assets. Long-term goal includes in-house satellite bus production.
- **Stuntman Test Rig**: A ground-based robotic arm test system used to practice close-in maneuvering, refine software, and validate autonomy suites before orbital deployment.
- **Satellite-as-a-Service (Saa S) Model**: Planned offering for allied and partner nations for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions, similar to company-owned, company-operated ISR platforms in the air domain.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not publicly available (early-stage private company)
- **Key Metric**: 16 employees as of mid-2026; first two spacecraft scheduled for launch on SpaceX Transporter-18 rideshare in late 2026
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: Not publicly disclosed; CEO Mike Smayda previously co-founded Hermeus (hypersonic aircraft startup) and spent five years at SpaceX
- **Growth Signals**: Rapidly scaling from founding in 2025 to 16 employees and two spacecraft ready for launch within ~18 months; building out 4,000 sq. ft. workspace; actively hiring across engineering and operations

## Competitive Advantages
- **First-mover in active space defense**: Unlike traditional satellites designed for observation or communication, Fortastra’s architecture is purpose-built for maneuver, threat assessment, and active protection.
- **Founder pedigree**: CEO Mike Smayda brings deep experience from SpaceX (large-scale systems, rapid iteration) and Hermeus (government contracting, scaling nimble operations).
- **Multi-orbit strategy**: Long-term vision to provide zone defense across multiple orbits, not just point defense, addressing a growing gap as space becomes congested and contested.
- **Focus on autonomy**: Developing sophisticated software and GN&C systems to enable autonomous close-in maneuvering and threat response.

## Strategic Focus
- **Near-term**: Execute first orbital test launch on SpaceX Transporter-18 (late 2026); burn down technical risk on Watchdog satellite platform.
- **Mid-term**: Transition from sourced satellite buses to in-house production; expand satellite-as-a-service offerings for allied nations and commercial customers.
- **Long-term**: Become the premier provider of on-orbit security for critical space infrastructure including future fuel depots, pharmaceutical manufacturing hubs, and military assets.

## Why Work Here
- **Mission-driven work**: Directly contribute to protecting the space systems that global society depends on, at a company that values action, rigor, and solving hard problems.
- **Early-stage equity**: Employees receive early-stage equity, sharing in the company’s growth from the ground up.
- **Comprehensive benefits**: 100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision for employees and their families; unlimited and flexible PTO.
- **Performance-focused culture**: Described as a performance-focused, people-first culture that invests in well-being so employees can focus on building spacecraft that matter.
- **Hands-on impact**: With only 16 people, employees have significant ownership and the chance to shape both the technology and the company’s trajectory.
- **Location**: Based in Torrance, CA (Southern California), with a dedicated workshop and test facilities.
- **ITAR requirements**: Many roles require U.S. citizenship or U.S. person status as defined by ITAR.

## Sources
1. [fortastra.com](https://www.fortastra.com/)
2. [fortastra.com/careers](https://www.fortastra.com/careers)
3. [Aviation Week](https://aviationweek.com/space/satellites/debrief-startup-preparing-spaces-neighborhood-watch-era)
4. [Greenhouse Jobs](https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/fortastracorporation/jobs/4052867009)
5. [Bloomberg](https://www.bloomberg.com/profile/company/2628142D:US)

## Other roles at Fortastra Corporation

- [Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GN&C) Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/guidance-navigation-and-control-gn-c-engineer-fortastra-corporation-torrance-29wxs5nz4b4f) — Torrance, CA
- [Head of Guidance, Navigation, and Control](https://feeny.ai/job/head-of-guidance-navigation-and-control-fortastra-corporation-torrance-0758r3re7apj) — Torrance, CA
- [Founding Flight Software Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/founding-flight-software-engineer-fortastra-corporation-torrance-bvmdez8md3yp) — Torrance, CA
- [Head of Supply Chain](https://feeny.ai/job/head-of-supply-chain-halter-auckland-3wzmmgb41cxe) — Auckland, New Zealand
- [Head of Supply Chain](https://feeny.ai/job/head-of-supply-chain-atoms-san-francisco-yb7c3y2q580d) — San Francisco, CA
- [Head of Supply Chain](https://feeny.ai/job/head-of-supply-chain-foundry-robotics-inc-san-francisco-01ct9d3hjbtt) — San Francisco, CA
- [Head of Supply Chain](https://feeny.ai/job/head-of-supply-chain-furientis-los-angeles-xer597y2hnax) — Los Angeles, CA
- [Head of Supply Chain](https://feeny.ai/job/head-of-supply-chain-remora-wixom-michigan-6xbtpqy4jrx3) — Wixom Michigan, United States
- [Head of Supply Chain](https://feeny.ai/job/head-of-supply-chain-hypersonica-munich-ekh1kpbyrc6r) — Munich, Germany