Senior Principal Technical Category Sourcing Manager – Silicon Development Technologies

About Astera Labs

Astera Labs (NASDAQ: ALAB) is a pioneering fabless semiconductor company headquartered in Silicon Valley, driving the evolution of AI and cloud infrastructure through purpose-built connectivity solutions. As a leader in rack-scale architecture, Astera Labs is enabling the shift to AI Infrastructure 2.0, where compute is optimized at the rack level to support the demands of next-generation workloads.

Our portfolio includes high-performance silicon, software, and system-level solutions that address critical bottlenecks in data movement across compute, memory, and networking domains. Leveraging technologies such as PCIe®, CXL®, Ethernet, and UALink™, we deliver scalable, interoperable platforms that empower hyperscale data centers to deploy AI and cloud services with greater efficiency and flexibility.

We are committed to open standards, software-defined architectures, and continuous innovation as we work to expand our product offerings and customer engagements. We foster a collaborative environment for professionals passionate about solving complex challenges and shaping the future of intelligent infrastructure.

Role Overview

Astera Labs is seeking a strategic and results-oriented Senior Principal Technical Category Sourcing Manager to lead sourcing initiatives across the domain of Silicon Development Technologies—including Intellectual Property (IP), Electronic Design Automation (EDA), Hardware Emulation, Cloud Services, and other emerging tools that enable advanced semiconductor design.

In this role, you will partner with cross-functional teams to develop and execute sourcing strategies that align with Astera Labs’ technology roadmap and business objectives. You’ll play a key role in identifying and securing the tools, platforms, and partnerships that power our silicon innovation, while driving cost optimization, supplier performance, and long-term value.

This is a unique opportunity to influence the sourcing strategy behind cutting-edge products and help scale a fast-growing company at the forefront of AI and cloud infrastructure.

A Day in the Life

As a Senior Principal Technical Category Sourcing Manager at Astera Labs, your day is shaped by collaboration, strategy, and innovation. You’ll work closely with engineering teams to stay ahead of the curve on silicon development needs, translating technical requirements into sourcing strategies that drive product success.

Your role spans a wide spectrum—from engaging with technology suppliers across IP, EDA, emulation, and cloud services, to leading negotiations that balance technical excellence with commercial impact. You’re not just managing a category—you’re owning it. That means setting the vision, driving execution, and continuously refining your approach to meet evolving business and technology goals.

Whether you're aligning with internal stakeholders, evaluating emerging technologies, or shaping supplier relationships, your work plays a critical role in enabling Astera Labs to deliver cutting-edge connectivity solutions for the future of AI and cloud infrastructure.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute category sourcing strategies for IP licensing, EDA tools, emulation platforms, cloud infrastructure, and emerging tech solutions.
• Lead supplier selection, negotiation, and contract execution including NDAs, MSAs, SOWs, licensing agreements, and cloud service contracts.
• Partner with R&D and engineering teams to align sourcing strategies with technology roadmaps and product development timelines.
• Analyze industry trends, supplier capabilities, and cost structures to identify opportunities for innovation, risk mitigation, and cost savings.
• Drive supplier relationship management (SRM) programs to ensure performance, compliance, and continuous improvement.
• Manage cross-functional sourcing projects, ensuring alignment with business objectives and timely execution.
• Build and maintain should-cost models, total cost of ownership (TCO) analyses, and financial assessments for strategic deals.
• Monitor and assess supplier financial health, IP portfolio strength, and technology differentiation.
• Influence supplier technology decisions and roadmap alignment to support Astera Labs’ strategic goals.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, Business, or related technical field.
• 7+ years of experience in technical sourcing, procurement, or supplier management in the semiconductor or cloud infrastructure industry.
• Proven experience negotiating IP licensing, EDA tool contracts, cloud service agreements, and hardware emulation platforms.
• Strong understanding of semiconductor design flows, cloud architectures, and emulation technologies.
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex negotiations and manage supplier relationships across global teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Engineering, Business, or Supply Chain Management.
• Experience with EDA vendors (e.g., Synopsys, Cadence, Siemens) and cloud providers (e.g., AWS, Azure, GCP).
• Familiarity with IP licensing models, emulation hardware (e.g., FPGA-based platforms), and cloud cost optimization strategies.
• High attention to detail and ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong analytical, financial modeling, and contract management skills.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management across technical and business teams.

Why Join Us?

• Be part of a high-growth, innovation-driven company at the forefront of AI and cloud infrastructure.
• Work with cutting-edge technologies and world-class engineering teams.
• Enjoy a collaborative culture that values curiosity, ownership, and continuous learning.
• Competitive compensation, equity, and benefits package.