Senior Manager, Commercial Contracts

Neon Aero; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 250,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Equity participation

Health benefits (health, vision, dental)

401(k) plan

Job summary

Neon Aero is seeking an experienced Commercial Contracts Manager to shape and negotiate agreements essential for core operations and growth in Irvine, California. This role requires a solid background in law, particularly within the aerospace sector, to support complex commercial contracts and corporate activities.

You'll collaborate with cross‑functional teams to navigate legal complexities while maintaining agility in a startup environment. The position offers competitive compensation along with health benefits and equity participation.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of post‑qualification legal experience, preferably including law firm and in‑house experience.
• Experience drafting, reviewing, and negotiating complex commercial agreements.
• Understanding of corporate legal matters, including governance, financing, and strategic transactions.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex commercial contracting work while advising on broader corporate and strategic matters.
• Translate legal complexity into clear business guidance for leadership and cross‑functional teams.
• Support corporate activities, including governance and strategic transactions.

Skills

Negotiation

Contract Management

Stakeholder Management

Legal Analysis

Communication

Education

J.D. from an accredited law school

Job description

Aerospace is at a turning point — costs are rising, supply chains are strained, and old ways of building can't keep up. At Neon Aero, we're breaking that mold. We move fast, think big, and combine start‑up agility with aerospace expertise to design, build, and scale aircraft in ways the industry has never seen. Our team leverages automation, AI‑driven tools, and a fully connected digital backbone to accelerate innovation and reduce barriers to production.

Here, you won't just take a job — you'll help reinvent how the world flies. If you're ready to solve complex problems, push technology further, and work alongside some of the brightest minds in aerospace, this is your chance to make a real impact.

We are looking for an experienced Commercial Contracts Manager to support a rapidly growing aerospace company in California. In this role, you will lead complex commercial contracting work while also advising on broader corporate and strategic matters. You will partner closely with cross‑functional teams and leadership to help the business move quickly, manage risk, and build scalable legal processes in a high‑growth startup environment.

Why This Role Matters

• You will play a central role in shaping and negotiating the agreements that support core business operations, strategic partnerships, and company growth.
• You will help leadership and cross‑functional teams make practical, well‑informed decisions by translating legal complexity into clear business guidance.
• You will support important corporate activities, including governance, financing‑related matters, and strategic transactions.
• You will help strengthen internal legal infrastructure by improving templates, playbooks, and contracting processes that allow the company to scale effectively.
• You will operate in a fast‑paced, project‑driven environment where priorities can shift quickly based on business needs and transaction timelines.
• You will work in a hybrid setting with regular collaboration across commercial, operational, and strategic initiatives.

What You'll Bring

• Minimum of 5 years of post‑qualification legal experience, preferably combining law firm and in‑house experience.
• Significant experience drafting, reviewing, and negotiating complex commercial agreements.
• Strong understanding of corporate legal matters, including governance, financing, and strategic transactions.
• Ability to provide practical, business‑oriented legal advice while managing legal and commercial risk.
• Excellent negotiation, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities, and operate with limited supervision.
• Strong commercial judgment and a pragmatic, solutions‑oriented approach.
• Comfortable working in ambiguity and fast‑moving startup environments.
• Ability to handle confidential, privileged, and sensitive information with sound judgment and professionalism.
• Prolonged periods sitting and working on a computer.
• Ability to participate in meetings, negotiations, and cross‑functional discussions.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States.
• May support matters involving ITAR‑regulated, export‑controlled, confidential, or otherwise sensitive business information.

Preferred

• Experience supporting aerospace, aviation, space, defense, advanced manufacturing, technology, or engineering‑focused businesses.
• J.D. from an accredited law school.
• Active membership in at least one U.S. state bar.
• Familiarity with California business practices and employment‑related considerations.
• Experience supporting venture‑backed companies and fundraising activities.
• Exposure to government contracting, export controls, or related regulatory matters.

Why Join Us

• Work alongside elite engineering talent and innovators from across aerospace and tech.
• Be part of a team moving faster than the industry standard.
• Shape solutions that are lower‑cost, autonomous, and scalable — the future of aviation.
• Competitive compensation, including equity participation, growth opportunities, and full health benefits (health, vision, dental, 401(k)) designed to support you in and out of work.

This is the expected compensation range for this role. Final compensation will be based on role scope, experience, skills, internal equity and location. This role may also be eligible for bonus/equity/benefits, if applicable.

$150,000—$250,000 USD

Neon Aero, Inc is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable law.

We believe that diverse perspectives drive innovation, and we welcome candidates from all backgrounds to apply.

All final candidates must successfully complete a background check and drug screening as a condition of employment.