Engineered Arts
Technical Procurement Specialist
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Role Outline
We are looking for a Technical Procurement Specialist to join a small, highly skilled team building advanced, socially capable humanoid robotic platforms capable of dynamic, real-world operation. You will be responsible for understanding detailed engineering requirements (mechanical and electronic) and executing sourcing, supplier management, and procurement activities.
This role spans both our production activities as well as working with our development team on new and exciting robotics projects.
The ideal candidate thrives in fast-paced hardware manufacturing environments and has demonstrated success delivering high-performance technical procurement in small to mid volume production.
This role can be worked remotely with bi-monthly visits to the Falmouth HQ.
Main Responsibilities
- Build in-depth understanding of the BOMs of cutting-edge robotic devices, including understanding of existing manufacture and procurement methods used.
- Interact with mechanical and electronics design engineers to understand design intent and specification details, including the interpretation of engineering drawings, electronic schematics, and other 2D and 3D design files.
- Hold discussions with suppliers across technical, financial, and time-line topics to arrange required procurement to support manufacturing activities.
- Execute procurement across a range of custom component types, including machined parts, PCBAs, and wiring looms, in addition to off-the-shelf parts ranging from screws to pneumatic parts to electric motors.
- Own supplier relationships to ensure timely, high-quality procurement on favorable terms that support business operations.
- Identify, select, qualify, and onboard new suppliers as required, coordinating with the Senior QC Engineer to ensure quality standards are met during qualification.
- Support supplier audits to assess capability, capacity, and compliance, working in collaboration with the Senior QC Engineer.
- Maintain detailed documentation and data tracking supplier relationships, orders, prices, lead times, specifications, concessions, delivery schedules, and other related information.
- Collaborate with other members of the production team (e.g., manufacturing, assembly) to coordinate and synchronize procurement activities with overall manufacturing schedules.
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Challenges
- Sourcing bespoke, low-volume components — many parts are custom (machined parts, PCBAs, wiring looms) and ordered in small-to-mid quantities, the challenge is achieving competitive pricing, favorable terms, and reliable lead times.
- Keeping pace with an R&D-driven design environment — designs evolve rapidly, so procurement must stay synchronized with frequent engineering changes, revised specifications, and shifting BOMs without disrupting build schedules.
- Bridging technical and commercial worlds — success depends on accurately interpreting engineering drawings, schematics, and 3D files, then translating that intent into clear, unambiguous requirements for a wide range of suppliers.
- Balancing cost, quality, and time under pressure — securing on-time delivery to the required quality standard across geographically diverse suppliers, while resolving non-conformances and protecting overall production timelines.
Qualifications, Knowledge, Key Skills, and Experience
Essential
- Proven procurement or technical buying experience within a hardware manufacturing environment, ideally small-to-mid volume production.
- Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, electronic schematics, and 2D/3D design files well enough to source parts accurately and discuss requirements with design engineers.
- Hands-on experience sourcing custom components (e.g., machined parts, PCBAs, wiring looms) alongside off-the-shelf items such as fasteners, motors, and pneumatic parts.
- Strong supplier negotiation and relationship-management skills, with a track record of securing quality, delivery, and favorable commercial terms.
- Confident cross-functional communicator, able to work closely with mechanical and electronics engineers, quality, and manufacturing/assembly teams.
- Highly organized and data-driven, with experience maintaining accurate procurement records (orders, prices, lead times, specifications, concessions, and delivery schedules), typically within an ERP/MRP system.
- Comfortable working in a fast-paced, changeable environment where priorities and designs shift frequently.
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Desirable
- Background in robotics, mechatronics, automotive, aerospace, or another complex electromechanical product sector.
- Degree or equivalent qualification in an engineering, manufacturing, or supply chain discipline.
- Professional procurement accreditation (e.g., CIPS).
- Working knowledge of PCBA manufacture and electronic component sourcing, including navigating component obsolescence and long lead-time parts.
- Established network of UK and international suppliers, including specialist and machine-shop manufacturers.
- Familiarity with quality standards and processes (e.g., ISO 9001) and managing supplier non-conformance.
- Experience identifying, qualifying, and onboarding new suppliers, and driving supply-chain or cost-improvement initiatives.
About Engineered Arts
Engineered Arts is the leading manufacturer of full-size humanoid robots used for entertainment, education, and communication. With 20 years of hardware and software development, our robots have been sold in over 30 countries worldwide with customers such as NASA, PwC, Meta, and many more.
Our Ameca robot is well known as ‘the face of AI’ and a social media viral success, taking advantage of the generative AI craze. Along with our ultra-realistic Mesmer range of animated figures, our robots continue to surprise and excite visitors at museums, theme parks, visitor attractions, and trade shows as well as aid leading universities with AI and robotics research. Our robots are poised to break into the future mega-expansion service robot segment, with applications such as front of house, receptions, check-in desks, information points, and PoS.
We are a team of dedicated engineers and creatives striving to develop the very best experiences for our customers. Our internal motto is ‘Be Wow’, everything we do is fun, entertaining, or surprising to encounter. We always push the boundaries of what is possible in humanoid robotics, researching and developing new systems and techniques to further their appeal. We explore and challenge the human perception of robots as well as the fear and discomfort and the excitement and joy life-like mechanical humanoids present.
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