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ground · defense-manufacturing

Supply Chain Engineer

$95k – $160k
Skills at a glance

Courses for this role

1

Foundations

5 months

Procurement fundamentals, supplier qualification, and the inventory math that anchors a defense BOM.

Skill
🛠 SkillProcurement fundamentals
essentialFree

RFQs, contracts, terms — the daily work.

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🛠 SkillSupplier qualification
essentialFree

Knowing who can ship at quality and at rate.

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🛠 SkillInventory management (EOQ, safety stock)
essentialFree

The math under any production schedule.

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Course
🎓 CourseSupply Chain Fundamentals· edX (MIT)
essentialFree60hintermediate

MIT MicroMasters preview track.

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2

Build the stack

7 months

Multi-source qualification, ITAR sourcing, and the BOM-strategy work that determines whether a program can ship at all.

Skill
🛠 SkillMulti-source qualification
essentialFree

Single-source risk is the largest hidden risk on any defense BOM.

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🛠 SkillITAR / EAR sourcing rules
essentialFree

Export control determines what you can buy from whom.

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🛠 SkillBOM strategy & part standardization
essentialFree

Fewer unique parts = lower risk, faster builds.

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Knowledge
📖 KnowledgeSection 889 / Section 1260H compliance
essentialFree

Section 889 bans federal use of named Chinese-origin telecom/video gear; Section 1260H expands the list to entire defense-restricted entities. Every defense BOM must be auditable against these statutes.

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📖 KnowledgeBerry Amendment / Buy American compliance
essentialFree

US-content rules for defense contracts.

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Course
🎓 CourseDefense Supply Chain· Self-study
importantFree20hintermediate

Bloomberg / industry coverage of defense supply realities.

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3

Field experience

10 months

Geopolitical risk, dual-source playbooks, and the supplier-relationship work that defines senior defense supply chain roles.

Skill
🛠 SkillGeopolitical risk modeling
essentialFree

Where parts come from is now a strategic question.

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Knowledge
📖 KnowledgeSub-tier supplier visibility
importantFree

Defense supply chains break at tier 3, not tier 1.

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📖 KnowledgeTAA / CFIUS for defense components
importantFree

Trade & investment controls that limit supplier choice.

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Certification
📜 CertificationAPICS / ASCM CPIM· ASCM
recommendedFree$1,100

Recognized supply chain credential.

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