Contracts Manager III

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory; California; On-site; USD 106,000 - 126,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, vision plans

Flexible schedule

Parental leave

Job summary

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California seeks a Contracts Manager III to lead high‑complexity contract actions, shape negotiation positions, and align contract posture with institutional goals across teams and sponsors.

Ideal candidates have a Bachelor’s in business/finance or related field with 6+ years, or a Master’s/PhD in a related field. Strong knowledge of FAR, government contracting, and excellent communication are essential; MS Office proficiency is expected.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in business, finance, or law with minimum experience requirements.
• Advanced knowledge of FAR and government contracting principles.
• Proven ability to influence stakeholders including legal, finance, and program teams.

Responsibilities

• Independently manage complex contract matters requiring advanced judgment across multifunctional teams.
• Lead development of proposals and modifications involving contractual risk and negotiations.
• Coordinate with Legal, Finance, Program Management, Technical teams, and Sponsors during contract execution.
• Interpret contract clauses and provide guidance on rights, obligations, and regulatory requirements.
• Negotiate complex agreements including NDA, MOU, IPA, and other contracts.
• Maintain gold-standard contract records compliant with policies.

Skills

FAR knowledge

Strong communication

Contract negotiation

Education

Bachelor's degree in business/finance/law

Master's degree in related field

PhD in related discipline

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Job Details

New ideas are all around us, but only a few will change the world. That’s our focus at JPL. We ask the biggest questions, then search the universe for answers—literally. We build upon ideas that have guided generations, then share our discoveries to inspire generations to come. Your mission—your opportunity—is to seek out the answers that bring us one step closer. If you’re driven to discover, create, and inspire something that lasts a lifetime and beyond, you’re ready for JPL.

Located in Pasadena, California, JPL has a campus-like environment situated on 177 acres in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains and offers a work environment unlike any other: we inspire passion, foster innovation, build collaboration, and reward excellence.

Be a partner in making history. At JPL’s Accounting & Contracts Division (ACD), we don’t just manage numbers; we fuel the future of space exploration. We are looking for enthusiastic, visionary leaders to join our team of experts in Enterprise Accounting, Travel and Invoice Management, and Contracts . If you thrive on solving complex business challenges with innovative solutions, it’s time to launch your career with us.

As a Contracts Manager III in the Contracts Management, Policy, and Compliance Section (2110) , you will lead high‑complexity contractual actions, shape institutional negotiation positions, and influence decisions across the Laboratory and with our Sponsors. You will coordinate across key organizations to keep JPL’s contract posture consistent and aligned with institutional goals.

Key Responsibilities include but not limited to:

• Independently manage complex contract matters requiring advanced judgment. Decisions have significant positive impact across multifunctional organizations, contributing to new business opportunities and mission outcomes.


• Lead development of complex proposals, and modifications involving contractual risk, including end‑to‑end planning, requirements analysis, negotiation preparation, and stakeholder coordination.


• Lead integrated teams and influence business and technical partners on contract impacts and implementation. Coordinate with Legal, Finance, and Program Management and Technical teams, as well as Sponsors, throughout contract execution.


• Interpret contract clauses and apply advanced knowledge to formulate negotiations considering operational, financial, and policy impacts across JPL. Provide authoritative guidance on contractual rights, obligations, and regulatory requirements ensuring clarity and consistency across stakeholders.


• Negotiate complex agreements, such as Non‑Disclosure Agreements (NDA), Memorandums of Understanding (MOU), Interagency Personnel Agreements (IPA), and other contractual agreements.


• Maintain "gold-standard" accessible contract records. Ensure documents are in compliance with contract specifications and JPL policies.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, finance, business law or related field with a minimum of 6 years of related experience; or a Master's degree in a related field with a minimum of 4 years of related experience; OR PhD in similar discipline with a minimum of 2 years of related experience.

Demonstrated advanced knowledge of Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) and government contracting principles on Government Contracts and/or Prime/Subcontract administration, NASA and/or JPL policies, and commercial contracting standards.

Demonstrated strong judgment and exceptional communication skills, effectively influencing key stakeholders, including legal, executive teams, and faculty.

Proficient with MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and the ability to quickly master JPL-specific financial and tracking software.

Desired Qualifications

An active TS/SCI Clearance is highly desirable.

JPL has a catalog of benefits and perks that span from the traditional to the unique. This includes a variety of health, dental, vision, wellbeing, and retirement plans, paid time off, learning, rideshare, childcare, flexible schedule, parental leave and many more. Our focus is on work-life balance, and living healthy, fulfilling lives as we Dare Mighty Things Together. For benefits eligible positions, benefits are effective the first day of the month coincident with or immediately following the employee’s start date.

The hiring range displayed below is specifically for those who will work in or reside in the location listed. In extending an offer, Jet Propulsion Laboratory considers factors including, but not limited to, the candidate’s job related skills, experience, knowledge, and relevant education/training.

The typical full time equivalent annual hiring range for this job in Pasadena, California.

$105,976 - $126,256
JPL is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy or perceived pregnancy, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, protected military or veteran status or any other characteristic or condition protected by Federal, state or local law.

In addition, JPL is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

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Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision

The Jet Propulsion Laboratory is a federal facility. Due to rules imposed by NASA, JPL will not accept applications from citizens of designated countries or those born in a designated country unless they are U.S. Citizens, Legal Permanent Residents of the U.S or have other protected status under 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3). The Designated Countries List is available here .