205 Best direct support professional Jobs in Clearwater, Florida (August 2026)

UAS Production & Supply Chain Specialist

2 days ago

Clearwater

Job Description Company: Nokturnal AI Location: On-Site – Clearwater Florida Department: Manufacturing / Operations Employment Type: Full-Time About Nokturnal AI Nokturnal AI is a rapidly growing technology and manufacturing company developing advanced unmanned aerial systems (UAS), artificial intelligence, and defense-focused technologies. Our team works in a fast-paced, highly technical environment where engineering, manufacturing, and operations collaborate closely to move products from development and prototype builds into repeatable production. We are looking for a Production & Supply Chain Specialist who can help keep our manufacturing operation supplied, organized, and moving. This is not a desk-only purchasing position. We are looking for someone who is comfortable managing suppliers, purchasing components, tracking inventory, and coordinating material requirements—and who is also willing to step onto the production floor and directly support assembly when purchasing and inventory responsibilities are under control. Position Summary The Production & Supply Chain Specialist is responsible for supporting the day-to-day flow of materials required for Nokturnal AI's manufacturing operations, including sourcing, purchasing, inventory control, supplier coordination, receiving, material planning, and production readiness. The successful candidate will work closely with Engineering and Manufacturing to understand upcoming material requirements, identify potential shortages, place and track orders, maintain appropriate inventory levels, and ensure components are available when needed for production. Because Nokturnal AI operates in a hands-on, fast-moving manufacturing environment, this position will also provide direct assembly and production support when purchasing, inventory, and material-management workload permits. This may include mechanical assembly, material kitting, preparation of components, prototype builds, rework, and other general manufacturing activities. The ideal candidate is organized, mechanically inclined, proactive, and equally comfortable working with suppliers at a computer and working alongside technicians and engineers on the production floor. What You'll Do Purchasing & Supply Chain • Manage day-to-day sourcing and procurement of components, materials, hardware, tooling, consumables, and other production supplies., • Generate, place, and track purchase orders., • Obtain and compare supplier quotes based on cost, lead time, quality, availability, and technical requirements., • Communicate directly with suppliers regarding pricing, availability, lead times, delivery schedules, and order status., • Monitor open purchase orders and proactively follow up on outstanding or delayed materials., • Expedite critical components when necessary to prevent production delays., • Identify long-lead, single-source, and high-risk components and communicate potential supply risks., • Identify alternate or secondary sources when necessary., • Support supplier onboarding and maintain supplier information and documentation., • Assist with supplier performance tracking, including delivery, responsiveness, quality, and pricing., • Work to reduce purchasing costs while maintaining appropriate quality and delivery standards. Inventory & Material Planning • Maintain visibility into inventory levels and upcoming material requirements., • Monitor critical components and production supplies and initiate purchases before shortages occur., • Support material planning based on production schedules, Bills of Materials (BOMs), engineering requirements, and upcoming builds., • Maintain accurate inventory and purchasing records., • Assist with receiving and verification of incoming materials., • Investigate discrepancies involving incorrect quantities, missing materials, damaged components, or incorrect shipments., • Coordinate returns, replacements, and credits with suppliers., • Perform and support cycle counts and physical inventory activities., • Organize materials and inventory locations to improve production efficiency., • Prepare and kit components, hardware, and materials for upcoming production builds., • Provide clear visibility to Operations and Manufacturing regarding material readiness, shortages, and supply-chain risks. Production & Assembly Support This position is expected to actively support the manufacturing team when purchasing, inventory, receiving, and material-planning responsibilities are current and under control. Production support may include: • Perform basic mechanical assembly of UAS, aircraft, components, and subassemblies., • Assist technicians and engineers with production and prototype builds., • Assemble components according to drawings, Bills of Materials, work instructions, and direction from technical personnel., • Install hardware, fasteners, brackets, housings, structural components, and other mechanical assemblies., • Use common hand and power tools to complete assembly tasks., • Assist with drilling, fastening, fitting, deburring, sanding, preparation, and other basic fabrication activities as trained., • Prepare components and materials for assembly., • Perform material kitting and stage components for technicians and assemblers., • Assist with disassembly, modification, rework, and repair activities., • Support engineering changes and rapid prototype builds., • Assist with packaging and preparation of completed products or components., • Maintain clean, organized, and production-ready work areas., • Follow applicable work instructions, drawings, quality requirements, and safety procedures., • Perform other hands-on manufacturing and shop-floor duties based on production needs. Cross-Functional Support You will work closely with Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, Programs, Quality, and Finance to ensure production requirements are supported. Responsibilities include: • Coordinate with Engineering and Manufacturing regarding component and material requirements., • Support production builds, design transitions, and new product introduction activities., • Communicate purchasing or material issues that could affect production schedules., • Help identify material requirements early enough to avoid production delays., • Support Quality in resolving supplier or material nonconformance issues., • Assist with the development of increasingly structured purchasing, inventory, and production processes as Nokturnal AI grows. What We're Looking For • Experience in purchasing, procurement, supply chain, inventory control, manufacturing operations, or a related field., • Experience working with suppliers and managing purchase orders., • Strong understanding of inventory management and production support., • Ability to identify material shortages and follow orders through delivery., • Experience working with ERP, MRP, inventory, or purchasing systems., • Strong organizational skills and attention to detail., • Strong communication and follow-through., • Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment., • Basic mechanical aptitude and willingness to perform hands-on manufacturing work., • Comfortable using common hand and power tools or willing and able to learn., • Ability to read and follow Bills of Materials, work instructions, part numbers, and technical documentation., • Ability to work effectively with engineers, technicians, suppliers, and other departments., • Willingness to shift between purchasing/inventory responsibilities and production-floor work based on business needs. Preferred Qualifications • Experience in aerospace, defense, UAS, aviation, robotics, electronics, or another technical manufacturing environment., • Experience supporting a low-volume, high-mix manufacturing operation., • Experience purchasing mechanical, electrical, electronic, RF, machined, or aerospace components., • Experience working from engineering Bills of Materials., • Experience supporting prototype builds or new product introduction (NPI)., • Experience with material planning and inventory control., • Experience identifying and managing long-lead components., • Experience with supplier sourcing and negotiations., • Experience performing mechanical or electromechanical assembly., • Experience working in a regulated or quality-controlled manufacturing environment., • Familiarity with Lean manufacturing, continuous improvement, or process optimization., • Experience supporting a growing or scaling manufacturing operation. Education & Experience Education: Associate or bachelor's degree in supply chain management, operations, manufacturing, business, engineering, or a related field preferred. Relevant technical, military, manufacturing, or equivalent professional experience may be considered in lieu of a degree. Experience: Two or more years of experience in purchasing, supply chain, procurement, inventory, production, or manufacturing operations preferred. Physical Requirements & Work Environment This is an on-site, hands-on manufacturing position that includes both computer-based purchasing responsibilities and physical production-floor activities. The employee must be able to: • Sit and work at a computer for extended periods., • Regularly stand and walk throughout manufacturing and inventory areas., • Use hands and fingers for keyboarding, handling small components, assembly, and operation of tools., • Perform repetitive hand motions and work requiring fine motor skills and manual dexterity., • Bend, reach, crouch, and work around production equipment., • Lift and carry materials, components, tooling, and equipment up to approximately 40 pounds., • Safely use appropriate hand and power tools., • Wear required personal protective equipment (PPE)., • Work in proximity to manufacturing machinery, equipment, tools, and normal production-floor noise. Security Requirement You must have, or be eligible to obtain, a Department of Defense Secret security clearance. You may be subject to government security investigations and must meet applicable eligibility requirements for access to classified information. The Person We're Looking For This role is a strong fit for someone who likes to own the problem from purchase order to production floor. If a component is running low, you notice it. If an order is late, you follow up. If a supplier cannot deliver, you start looking for another solution. And when the purchasing work is caught up and the production team needs another set of hands, you're comfortable grabbing your tools and helping with the build. We're looking for someone who takes ownership, stays organized, communicates early, and is willing to help wherever needed to keep production moving. \nCompany Description Nokturnal AI is an advanced technology company focused on developing cutting-edge systems in aerospace, AI/ML, and defense-related integration. Our work centers on building high-performance, mission-critical solutions with a strong emphasis on innovation, precision, and operational excellence. Nokturnal AI is an advanced technology company focused on developing cutting-edge systems in aerospace, AI/ML, and defense-related integration. Our work centers on building high-performance, mission-critical solutions with a strong emphasis on innovation, precision, and operational excellence.

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