---
title: 'Principal Category Manager - PCBA at Epirus'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/principal-category-manager-pcba-epirus-torrance-california-1k5hda4hxgwh'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-11'
---

# Principal Category Manager - PCBA at Epirus

- **Company:** Epirus
- **Location:** Torrance California, United States
- **Compensation:** $160k–$190k
- **Posted:** 2026-09-10
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-11
- **Apply:** https://www.epirusinc.com/open-roles?gh_jid=6184147004

## Job description

## About Epirus

Epirus is a high-growth technology company dedicated to overcoming the asymmetric challenges inherent to the future of national security. Epirus' flagship product, Leonidas, is a software-defined system built using intelligent power management techniques which allow power-hungry systems to do more with less.

Job Summary:

This is an exciting role in a growing company. The ideal candidate for the Principal Category Manager position is someone who is a skilled negotiator, has a strong strategic supplier vision, and has experience setting supplier strategies for long-term success. You will be responsible for source selection from proposal to execution phases, including negotiating strong positions for Epirus and building and maintaining strong supplier relationships. You will work with engineering to develop specifications, work statements, and terms and conditions for the procurement of specialized materials, equipment, and/or services by preparing bid packages, ensuring competition, negotiating key provisions, select suppliers, and executing the award.  This individual may be required to provide input and/or share their experience in establishing internal PCBA manufacturing, including capital equipment selection, preventative maintenance schedules, process flow, and identifying potential supplier needed working with production, advanced electronics, industrial and manufacturing engineering teams.

Duties

- Act as the sourcing and supplier expert in the PCBA space (specifically custom Epirus designs), but able to flex into multiple areas
- Collaborate across business functions to identify supplier needs and negotiate strong pricing, terms & schedules with suppliers for development and production programs
- Own and manage the full sourcing and procurement activities from development through production and final contract close out, including managing and avoiding cost & schedule scope creep
- Review cross-team capabilities and ensure the supply base has appropriate manufacturing capacity and quality yield to enable aggressive ramp up of production
- Manages the spend and supplier spend distribution for assigned mechanical commodities, including adding new suppliers as required
- Head supplier relationship by ensuring alignment to Epirus needs, define escalation protocol, and audit and inspect supplier’s facilities to accurately assess technical capability, equipment, and capacity for rapid deployment of new product development and long-term production
- Conduct comprehensive supplier analysis to inform ‘Make vs. Buy’ decisions, down select an optimal sourcing plan taking short term NPI requirements and long term production rates, technology replacement, price trend, market and industry position, and risk assessments into account
- Deliver a seamless transition of viable new technologies into the product development process managing risks while meeting quality, schedule, and cost goals.
- Collaborate across multiple functions to identify business needs, negotiate the right tradeoffs, solicit cooperation and resolve problems, and advance new supplier or product offerings.
- Mentor other supply chain team members in developing skills.
- Support other efforts, such as supply chain compliance, ERP development and other key company projects

Required Qualifications

- BS degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Business, Supply Chain, Operations Management or related field
- Minimum of 12 years of subcontract, commodity or supplier management experience OR minimum 8 years with a Master’s degree
- Understanding of supplier risk identification, mitigation and contingency planning
- Direct design for manufacturing or design for quality experience
- Previous experience in TCO analysis
- Previous experience in negotiation of price and terms and conditions, as well as  awarding and managing supplier owned IP products or products designed from a statement of work
- Direct experience and understanding of the end to end PCB/PCBA manufacturing process flow
- Experience managing a program and working with cross-functional teams
- US Citizen and/or Permanent Resident (future security clearance may be required)

Desired Qualifications

- MBA preferred
- Aerospace/Defense experience and/or military experience
- Experience working with FAR/DFAR Experience in Earned Value Management or related financial management experience
- Component electronics manufacturing experience
- Good written and oral communication skills
- Collaborative; capable of working across all levels of the organization
- Organized; comfortable working in a fast-paced, ever-changing environment

## ITAR REQUIREMENTS:

To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

At Epirus, you’ll work with technical peers and great people—and get first crack at some of the defining technology challenges of our time. Here, “impossible” is just a challenge. We're a diverse, fast-growing team of change-makers fueling the future of energy with revolutionary solutions. [Join us and rewrite the rules.](https://www.epirusinc.com/open-roles) As required by the Equal Pay Transparency Act, Epirus provides a reasonable range of minimum compensation for roles that may be hired. Actual compensation is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to skill set, level of experience, and specific office location. For the state of California only, the range of starting pay for this role is: $160,000—$189,500 USD

## About Epirus

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Epirus develops software-defined, solid-state high-power microwave (HPM) systems and advanced electronics to defend against drone swarms and asymmetric threats.
- **Entity Type**: Private (Series D; total funding $548.4M)
- **Headquarters**: Torrance, California, United States
- **Founded**: 2018
- **Founders**: John T. and Nathan Mintz

## Core Business
- **Primary industry**: Defense and Space Manufacturing – directed energy, electronic warfare, counter-UAS.
- **Target customers**: U.S. Department of Defense (Army, Navy, Marines), allied governments, and critical‑infrastructure operators (B2G, B2B).
- **Mission**: “To protect and sustain civilization” by advancing the frontiers of high-power microwave technology for asymmetric challenges.

## Products & Services
- **Leonidas™ (High‑Power Microwave System)**: Software‑defined, long‑pulse HPM platform for counter‑drone swarm operations. Defeated a 49‑drone swarm in live‑fire demonstrations. Configurable as fixed, semi‑fixed, or mobile (hitch‑mounted).
- **Leonidas H₂O**: Maritime interdiction variant for unmanned surface vessel (USV) protection.
- **Epirus Pod**: Compact, portable HPM system for special operations, de‑mining, and small‑platform integration.
- **Air Domain Awareness**: Always‑on perception systems using big data and ML to monitor, track, and mitigate UAS incursions.
- **Advanced Electronics**: Hardware/software/AI modules that enable high‑power performance across demanding use cases.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation**: Not publicly disclosed (conflicting reports; latest funding round implied valuation significant)
- **Key Metric**: Annual Revenue ~$115M (2025–2026 estimate) | Total Funding $548.4M [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/epirus)
- **Notable Investors**: 8VC (lead Series A), T. Rowe Price (lead Series C), M42 (lead corporate round in 2025). Other backers include Stu Shea (board member).
- **Growth Signals**:
  - Headcount of 189 (+19.8% YoY, +41 employees) [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/epirus)
  - $250M Series D (2025/2026) closed to hyperscale Leonidas production
  - U.S. Army contracts: $43.5M (IFPC‑HPM Gen II), $66.1M for Leonidas directed‑energy prototypes
  - Finalized delivery of four IFPC‑HPM prototypes to U.S. Army (June 2026)
  - International expansion: offices in Italy and UK, 49k+ LinkedIn followers (70.8% yearly growth)

## Competitive Advantages
- **Solid‑state, long‑pulse HPM** that is software‑defined and scalable – unlike legacy tube‑based systems.
- **AI‑driven intelligent power management** lets power‑hungry systems “do more with less.”
- **Rapid prototyping & delivery** – Leonidas was delivered to the U.S. Army in record time.
- **Proven against real‑swarm threats** – 100% kill rate in 49‑drone demonstration.
- **Modular, vehicle‑agnostic architecture** that integrates with existing sensor and weapon platforms.

## Strategic Focus
- Scaling Leonidas production capacity for critical‑asset protection (driven by $250M Series D) [epirusinc.com](https://www.epirusinc.com/)
- Expanding maritime capabilities (Leonidas H₂O) and pod‑based EW for special operations.
- Deepening partnership with U.S. Army (IFPC‑HPM program) and entering allied markets (UK, Italy).
- Continuing to invest in AI/ML for air‑domain awareness and autonomous threat identification.

## Why Work Here
- **Culture & Values**: Built on four pillars – Accountability, Respect, Commitment, Speed with Discipline. Described as “Neo Prime” for asymmetric warfare – fast‑paced, mission‑driven.
- **Work Environment**: Hybrid/flexible with offices in Torrance (HQ), Hawthorne, and Law (innovation center). Casual dress, catered lunches, stocked kitchens.
- **Benefits**:
  - Up to 100% paid medical coverage, robust vision & dental, flex accounts.
  - Stock options (full vesting), 6% 401k match, annual dependent‑care support, monthly electronics stipend.
  - 19 paid holidays + unlimited PTO + generous parental leave.
  - Free gyms, Calm app subscriptions, unlimited mental‑health access, pet insurance.
- **Engineering Culture**: “Impossible is just a challenge” – fast iteration, cross‑functional teams, blend of startup mentality and aerospace/defense experience. Alumni from SpaceX, Anduril, Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin.
- **Growth**: 40 active job postings (monthly +53.8%, yearly +100%); rapid headcount increase and major contracts signal stability and scaling.

## Sources
1. [Epirus Website](https://www.epirusinc.com/)
2. [Epirus About Page](https://www.epirusinc.com/about)
3. [Epirus Careers Page](https://www.epirusinc.com/careers)
4. [Epirus LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/epirus)

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