Strategic Sourcing Manager, Core Technologies – Humanoid Robotics

The Strategic Sourcing & Supplier Development Engineering Group at Meta Reality Labs is seeking a Strategic Sourcing Manager to lead one of our most strategic technology categories: Core Technologies in humanoid robotics that spans broad categories of technologies. This role focuses on identifying, selecting, and developing long-term partnerships for new and sophisticated technologies through early cross-functional engagement with Industrial Design, Hardware Engineering, and Product Management. You will align external partner strategy to internal product roadmap needs, delivering high-quality components and modules at the right time, speed, and cost. The ideal candidate will have high ambition to impact both business and technical challenges, excelling not only in NPI/MP but also in NTIs and concept explorations. Success requires demonstrated ability to navigate ambiguity through data-driven analysis, evaluation of alternatives, open-mindedness, strategic thinking, and experience communicating technical and strategic decisions in writing and verbally to cross-functional and executive stakeholders.
Strategic Sourcing Manager, Core Technologies – Humanoid Robotics Responsibilities
Conduct global market landscape analyses for new technologies, modules, and use-cases; partner with PMs, engineering leads, and other cross-functional stakeholders to recommend the right partner decision matrix serving Reality Labs' long-term technology needs
Actively engage in and influence new technology exploration; collaborate with cross-functional partners to create a long-term Technology Roadmap aligned with Product Roadmaps, and advise executive leadership on partner/supplier strategy
Own technology transfer into suppliers and elevate suppliers' technology capabilities
Work with Hardware Engineering and Tech Ops teams to enable the right development frameworks at select partners, kick-starting manufacturing and process technology solutions aligned with long-term needs
Develop and drive technology partner engagement strategy ensuring suppliers can meet Meta's current and future technical and business requirements
Drive strategic supply chain direction and innovation via the Value Innovation Forum with product design and technology operations
Utilize expertise in component manufacturing processes to assess supplier capabilities, resolve capacity constraints, and validate cost dependencies
Support and influence Industrial Design and Hardware Engineering teams in new technology scoping efforts with potential materials, process, and equipment partners
Partner with cross-functional teams to drive the supplier selection process (own RFx) and component qualification under strict engineering and commercial best practices
Actively participate in solving technical and operational challenges alongside cross-functional partners to keep product launch schedules on track
Perform Value Engineering: alternate source qualification, alternate materials/process evaluation, quality assessment, and cost reduction initiatives at the material and manufacturing level
Serve as an expert in commodity technology, cost, and supply with strong command of value engineering and technical cost reduction concepts at both product and category levels
Drive Early Supplier Involvement initiatives to ensure suppliers proactively contribute to new product designs and future product roadmaps
Drive product cost optimization and negotiate competitive pricing while considering total cost of ownership, including product cost, Cap Ex, logistics, inventory, and cost of quality
Apply cost engineering principles to deliver detailed and competitive should-cost and budget (Op Ex/Cap Ex) projections that can withstand rigorous scrutiny and challenge
Formulate contingency plans to de-risk technical challenges, long lead times, single-source dependencies, and supply risks
Drive supplier and site readiness activities for NTI and NPI programs leading to successful product launches at required volumes, spanning operational, commercial, and legal domains
Maintain accountability for securing components and/or services that provide competitive advantage in both technology and cost for Meta

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree in engineering or extensive experience in related field
10+ years of experience in consumer electronics or technology industry, with experience scaling technologies from concept stage through mass production
Experience articulating points of view to executive management while executing on plans when directed
Experience working embedded with Hardware and Systems Engineering throughout the product development process
Experience building relationships with Engineering, Product Management, and other cross-functional partners; ability to drive discussions on technical specification optimization and feature vs. value trade-offs
Experience building and influencing relationships at suppliers' executive level with a holistic view of supplier core capabilities, enabling future collaboration in new and uncharted technology domains
Data-driven problem-solving skills to address multi-dimensional problems with high uncertainty across multiple functional teams
Experience in supplier evaluation/selection, should-cost modeling, contract negotiation, and supply base management
Ability to travel domestically and internationally up to 25%
Factory management and operations experience

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience adhering to and implementing responsible, ethical AI practices (e.g., risk assessment, bias mitigation, quality and accuracy reviews)
Experience working on New Technology Introduction (NTI)
Demonstrated ongoing AI skill development (e.g., prompt/context engineering, agent orchestration) and staying current with emerging AI technologies
Experience and knowledge in custom mechanicals, display, cameras, and sensing technologies
Demonstrated ability to integrate AI tools to optimize/redesign workflows and drive measurable impact (e.g., efficiency gains, quality improvements)
Experience in financial statement analysis to derive should-cost models and assess supplier cost competitiveness and financial strength, as well as gathering market intelligence
Master's degree or PhD in a technical discipline, and/or MBA

About Meta

Meta builds technologies that help people connect, find communities, and grow businesses. When Facebook launched in 2004, it changed the way people connect. Apps like Messenger, Instagram and Whats App further empowered billions around the world. Now, Meta is moving beyond 2D screens toward immersive experiences like augmented and virtual reality to help build the next evolution in social technology. People who choose to build their careers by building with us at Meta help shape a future that will take us beyond what digital connection makes possible today—beyond the constraints of screens, the limits of distance, and even the rules of physics.
For those who live in or expect to work from California if hired for this position, please click here for additional information.
United States of America: $168,000/year to $234,000/year + bonus + equity + benefits
Individual compensation is determined by skills, qualifications, experience, and location. Compensation details listed in this posting reflect the base hourly rate, monthly rate, or annual salary only, and do not include bonus, equity or sales incentives, if applicable. In addition to base compensation, Meta offers benefits. Learn more about benefits at Meta.

Equal Employment Opportunity:

Meta is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, reproductive health decisions, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, genetic information, political views or activity, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. You may view our Equal Employment Opportunity notice here.
Meta is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, fill out the Accommodations request form.
Apply for this job
Take the first step toward a rewarding career at Meta.
Recruiters can view your conversations with AI. Using AI is optional and does not impact the outcome of your application process.Learn more about AI usage and settings.
Sign up
to ask follow-up questions