The Contracts Manager will lead the full lifecycle of contracts supporting commercial, government, and strategic partnership activities. This role requires a strong understanding of contract negotiation, risk management, compliance, and cross-functional collaboration in a dynamic startup environment. The ideal candidate is comfortable building processes from the ground up and navigating complex aerospace and defense contracting requirements.
Where You'll Make an Impact- Draft, review, negotiate, and administer a wide range of agreements, including:
- Customer contracts
- Government contracts and subcontracts
- Teaming agreements
- Non-disclosure agreements (NDAs)
- Vendor and supplier agreements
- Strategic partnership agreements
- Licensing and technology agreements
- Support proposal and capture activities by reviewing solicitation requirements and contractual terms.
- Ensure compliance with applicable federal acquisition regulations (FAR), DFARS, and other government contracting requirements.
- Identify and mitigate contractual, legal, financial, and operational risks.
- Partner closely with business development, engineering, finance, procurement, and executive leadership teams.
- Develop and maintain contract management processes, templates, and compliance procedures.
- Monitor contract performance obligations, deliverables, milestones, and renewal dates.
- Support audits, reporting requirements, and customer inquiries related to contractual matters.
- Maintain organized contract records and reporting systems.
What It Takes- Bachelor's degree in Business, Legal Studies, Public Administration, Finance, or related field.
- 5+ years of contract management experience.
- Experience negotiating complex commercial contracts.
- Strong understanding of contract law, risk assessment, and compliance practices.
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
- Experience working cross-functionally in a fast-paced environment.
Nice-to-Have Experience- Experience supporting aerospace, defense, satellite, launch, or government technology programs.
- Knowledge of FAR, DFARS, ITAR, EAR, and related regulatory frameworks.
- Experience with U.S. Government contracts, grants, cooperative agreements, or SBIR/STTR programs.
- NCMA certifications (CPCM, CFCM, CCCM) preferred.
- Experience implementing contract management systems and processes in a startup environment.
- Active security clearance or ability to obtain one is a plus.
What You'll Get- Ownership - Establish scalable contract management processes. Improve contract turnaround times and negotiation efficiency. Improve contract turnaround times and negotiation efficiency.
- Exposure - Work closely with executive leadership and technical teams.
- Growth - Build trusted partnerships across leadership, engineering, and business teams. Reduce contractual risk while enabling rapid business growth.
- Compensation - Competitive salary, equity, and comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, generous leave, FSA, 401(k) matching, and equity sharing
- Competitive salary: $120,000-$180,000+ depending on experience and location
Additional RequirementsTo comply with U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including ITAR, applicants must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, protected individual per 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.
Apply now. Join us in building the test systems that ensure our spacecraft fly flawlessly.
