---
title: 'Procurement Specialist at Parallel Systems'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/procurement-specialist-parallel-systems-los-angeles-8na81mekx2xh'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-05'
---

# Procurement Specialist at Parallel Systems

- **Company:** Parallel Systems
- **Location:** Los Angeles, CA
- **Compensation:** $90k–$110k
- **Posted:** 2026-09-04
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-05
- **Apply:** https://boards.greenhouse.io/parallel/jobs/5230775007?gh_jid=5230775007

## Job description

Parallel Systems is pioneering autonomous battery-electric rail vehicles designed to transform freight transportation by shifting portions of the $900 billion U.S. trucking industry onto rail. Our innovative technology offers cleaner, safer, and more efficient logistics solutions. Join our dynamic team and help shape a smarter, greener future for global freight.

Procurement Specialist

Parallel Systems is seeking a Procurement Specialist to support the materials and components required to build and operate our autonomous rail vehicles. This person will work closely with engineering, operations, and suppliers to make sure parts are ordered accurately, supplier commitments are met, and upcoming needs are planned ahead.

We are looking for someone who is organized, proactive, and persistent. This is a hands-on role for someone who can own the purchasing process, drive supplier accountability, and meet production demand in a fast-paced hardware environment. As the procurement function matures, there is opportunity to take on strategic sourcing and supplier selection.

Key Responsibilities:

- Own RFQs and purchase orders from request through delivery, negotiating pricing and lead time within established supplier agreements.
- Manage supplier commitments after PO placement - confirm acknowledgments and ship dates, track deliveries, and escalate risks early.
- Partner with engineering to understand upcoming purchasing and inventory needs.
- Evaluate supplier capability and performance against technical, quality, capacity, and lead-time requirements; surface gaps and risks for sourcing decisions.
- Maintain accurate purchasing, supplier, and part information in Odoo.
- Track open orders, inventory needs, and supply risks to prevent shortages.
- Document and improve purchasing workflows, including Odoo configuration and supplier performance tracking.

What Success Looks Like:

- In 30 Days: Take ownership of purchasing for commercial off-the-shelf parts, actively issue and manage POs, and develop a strong understanding of Parallel’s Odoo environment and supply chain processes.
- In 60 Days: Establish clear visibility into inventory and purchasing needs for the next six months, partner closely with engineering on future demand, and build a roadmap for key suppliers and upcoming supply requirements.
- In 90 Days: Independently manage day-to-day procurement across assigned categories,  keeping open orders, inventory, and upcoming engineering demand under control with no unplanned shortages. Identify and escalate supplier capability gaps and performance risks.

Basic Qualifications:

- 3+ years of experience in purchasing, procurement, supply chain, or a buyer role.
- Experience managing RFQs, purchase orders, suppliers, and delivery timelines.
- Experience working in an ERP, MRP, or purchasing system.
- Strong organization, follow-through, and attention to detail.

Preferred Qualifications:

- Experience purchasing in a low-volume, prototype, or new product introduction environment.
- Experience in a hardware, manufacturing, automotive, aerospace, robotics, rail, or industrial environment.
- Experience with Odoo or a similar ERP system.
- Familiarity with BOMs, engineering drawings, or technical components.

We are committed to providing fair and transparent compensation in accordance with applicable laws. Salary ranges are listed below and reflect the expected range for new hires in this role, based on factors such as skills, experience, qualifications, and location. Final compensation may vary and will be determined during the interview process. The target hiring range for this position is listed below.

Target Salary Range: $90,000—$110,000 USD

Parallel Systems is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any discriminatory factor protected by applicable federal, state or local laws. We work to build an inclusive environment in which all people can come to do their best work.

Parallel Systems is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, Parallel Systems will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact your recruiter.

## About Parallel Systems

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Parallel Systems develops autonomous, battery-electric rail vehicles to convert freight from truck to rail, enabling railroads to serve new markets with a cleaner, more flexible, and cost-effective alternative to short-haul trucking.
- **Entity Type**: Private (Series B)
- **Headquarters**: Los Angeles, California, United States
- **Founded**: 2020
- **Founders**: Matt Soule (Founder and CEO)

## Core Business
- **Primary Industry**: Railroad Equipment Manufacturing, Autonomous Freight, Clean Logistics
- **Target Customers**: Railroads, freight operators, ports, distribution centers, and logistics companies (B2B, Enterprise)
- **Mission/Purpose**: To provide a safer, more efficient, and sustainable alternative to short-haul trucking by seamlessly integrating autonomous battery-electric rail vehicles with existing rail operations, decongesting highways, and reducing shipping costs and pollution.

## Products & Services
- **[Autonomous, Battery-Electric Rail System](https://moveparallel.com/product/)**: A fleet of self-propelled, autonomous rail vehicles designed to haul intermodal containers up to 500 miles on a single charge. Key features include:
  - **No couplers**: Vehicles self-sort and assemble into platoons, eliminating manual coupling and enabling instant rerouting.
  - **Platooning & Aerodynamics**: Patented technology yields unprecedented range and energy efficiency.
  - **Advanced Braking**: Self-contained, adaptive braking with automatic parking brakes for shorter stopping distances.
  - **Integrated Systems**: Software platform seamlessly integrates with existing railroad train control and business systems, providing real-time data via APIs.
- **Solutions for Rail**: New line hauls (city-to-city), port shuttles (reducing drayage), and direct-to-customer service (small-footprint terminals at warehouses).

## Market Standing
- **Valuation**: Not publicly disclosed
- **Key Metric**: Total Funding – **USD 91,349,995** ([LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/parallelsystems))
- **Funding History**:
  - Seed Round (June 2020): $3.8M – led by Congruent Ventures
  - Series A (Jan 2022): $49.5M – led by Anthos Capital
  - Series B (May 2025): $38.0M – led by Anthos Capital
- **Notable Investors**: Anthos Capital, Congruent Ventures
- **Growth Signals**:
  - Employee headcount grew **44.7% year-over-year** to 45 employees (as of mid-2025)
  - **First commercial pilot** launched in April 2025 after receiving Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) approval ([Pulse 2.0](https://www.linkedin.com/company/parallelsystems))
  - Currently in **second phase of testing on Genesee & Wyoming (G&W) in Georgia** ([Railway Age, July 2025](https://www.moveparallel.com/))
  - **14 active job postings** as of July 2025, with 75% year-over-year growth in listings

## Competitive Advantages
- **Autonomous, battery-electric technology** purpose-built for rail, offering a direct alternative to short-haul trucking (a massive market consuming 45 billion gallons of diesel annually).
- **No couplers** – enables instant, automated rerouting and packetized freight, greatly improving operational flexibility compared to traditional trains.
- **Long range (500 miles) on one hour of charge** via patented platooning aerodynamics.
- **Seamless integration** with existing railroad systems, reducing adoption barriers.
- **Small footprint** allows direct service to warehouse docks and small terminals, unlocking new low-density, short-haul lanes.

## Strategic Focus
- **Commercial deployment**: Moving from testing to revenue-generating pilot operations with partner railroads.
- **Scaling manufacturing and operations**: Growing the team (especially engineering and sales) to support commercial expansion.
- **Expanding market share**: Target shorter and lower density routes currently dominated by trucking, while also enabling port shuttles and direct-to-customer rail service.
- **Sustainability-driven growth**: Position rail as a lower-emission, cost-competitive alternative to reduce the 7% of U.S. emissions from trucking.

## Why Work Here
- **Culture**: "A team of curious, committed problem-solvers" with a focus on inclusion, ownership, and technical excellence ([Greenhouse careers page](https://boards.greenhouse.io/parallel)).
- **Impact**: Directly influence the future of freight by building autonomous, clean rail technology that can decongest highways and cut pollution.
- **Engineering Focus**: 45% of employees are in technical roles (robotics, autonomy, ML, mechatronics) – a strong engineering-led environment.
- **Location**: Based in Los Angeles, CA (Factory Place), with a small presence in India.
- **Growth Trajectory**: Rapidly scaling (44.7% headcount growth, new Series B funding, commercial pilot underway) offering significant career development opportunities.
- **Notable alumni destinations**: SpaceX, Tesla, Vast, Rivian, Anduril – reflects a high-caliber talent pool.

## Sources
1. [Parallel Systems Website](https://www.moveparallel.com)
2. [Parallel Systems Careers (Greenhouse)](https://boards.greenhouse.io/parallel)
3. [LinkedIn Company Page](https://www.linkedin.com/company/parallelsystems)
4. [Parallel Systems Product Page](https://moveparallel.com/product/)
5. [Pulse 2.0 on Series B](https://www.linkedin.com/company/parallelsystems)

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- [Executive Assistant](https://feeny.ai/job/executive-assistant-parallel-systems-los-angeles-fxqj81m923a7) — Los Angeles, CA
- [Technical Documentation Specialist](https://feeny.ai/job/technical-documentation-specialist-parallel-systems-los-angeles-8t0hx5pc2k51) — Los Angeles, CA
- [Senior Robotics Software Engineer, Perception](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-robotics-software-engineer-perception-parallel-systems-los-angeles-f8ktf87f30gm) — Los Angeles, CA
- [Senior Systems Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-systems-engineer-parallel-systems-los-angeles-km0at0ea3z8j) — Los Angeles, CA
- [Embedded Software Engineer - Vehicle Software](https://feeny.ai/job/embedded-software-engineer-vehicle-software-parallel-systems-los-angeles-qzeh133sremt) — Los Angeles, CA
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- [Technical Program Manager](https://feeny.ai/job/technical-program-manager-parallel-systems-los-angeles-ebs885gsk4ek) — Los Angeles, CA
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