Launch Services Procurement Specialist

The Launch Services Procurement Specialist will establish and operate the procurement function needed to deliver satellites to orbit on schedule. The role is responsible for securing launch slots in advance from domestic and international launch providers offering large, medium and small rockets and rideshare services. It includes deciding between rideshare and dedicated launches based on cost, target orbit and schedule.

The specialist will negotiate, execute and manage launch service agreements covering price, schedule, deployment orbit and separation conditions, launch insurance, and treatment of delays or failures, including reflight provisions. English-language negotiation and contract review will occur routinely. The role also includes monitoring contract performance after execution.

The position will consolidate launch demand from internal business units and projects, compare launch-provider manifests with satellite development and mass-production schedules, identify schedule gaps and risks early, and prepare responses including alternative launch options. It will design a medium- and long-term procurement portfolio covering provider dependence, cost reduction and risk diversification.

Additional responsibilities include coordinating launch safety reviews, satellite transportation arrangements, export control, and compliance with the Space Activities Act by working with internal departments and government authorities. Because the function is being established, the role requires defining processes in areas where systems are not yet in place and involving relevant stakeholders. Contract clause review, detailed schedule reconciliation and coordination are central parts of the work.

The position is being separated from the business management function, which has handled budgets, procurement and government projects. Initially, it will work closely with business management members, satellite project managers and engineers in related internal departments, with a specialist team planned for the future. The business context includes planning, designing, developing, mass-producing, launching and operating small satellites, as well as using satellite data. Current projects include satellite constellations such as VDES, with longer-term plans involving satellite IoT, LEO-PNT, LNSS and optical-communication non-terrestrial networks.

The work location is the Ariake office in Koto City, Tokyo. The standard arrangement is office-based, with partial remote work permitted. The provided tools include a company-designated PC according to the employee's preference, Google Workspace, Slack, Zoom and GitHub for internal document management.