Contracts Manager III

Jet Propulsion Laboratory; United States; On-site; USD 106,000 - 126,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Paid time off

Retirement plans

Flexible schedule

Job summary

Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, CA, seeks a Level 3 Contracts Manager to oversee the lifecycle of government task orders under the Caltech–NASA Prime Contract. You will advise on contractual obligations, coordinate with NASA and sponsors, and ensure compliance across teams in a highly collaborative environment.

Applicants should have a Bachelor's degree in business or law with 6+ years of government contracting experience (or advanced degrees with fewer years) and strong proficiency in

Qualifications

• Typically requires a Bachelor’s degree with 6+ years of related experience; or Master’s with 4+ years; or PhD with 2+ years.
• Extensive understanding of government contracting and FAR-based principles.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and contract documentation.

Responsibilities

• Independently manage a portfolio of complex government task orders under the Caltech–NASA Prime Contract.
• Coordinate discussions for task order changes and funding adjustments with NASA/sponsors and internal stakeholders.
• Provide authoritative interpretation of task order requirements and advise project teams on obligations and compliance strategies.
• Partner with pricing, business, legal, and program teams to resolve issues and ensure smooth task order execution.
• Oversee preparation, review, and maintenance of task order documentation for accuracy and compliance.

Skills

Analytical skills

Independent judgment

Stakeholder management

Contract management

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business administration, business law, or related discipline

Master’s degree in similar disciplines

PhD (including JD) in similar disciplines

Tools

Microsoft 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. The Task Order Management Group within JPL’s Financial & Business Operations Directorate is responsible for managing task orders under the Caltech–NASA Prime Contract that operates JPL. We focus on day‑to‑day contract management activities, ensuring compliance with contractual requirements, and supporting JPL’s mission through effective task order administration. As a Level 3 Contracts Manager, you will play a key role in managing the lifecycle of task orders—from initiation through close-out while providing strategic guidance and resolving complex contractual issues. You will serve as a primary interface with NASA, internal stakeholders, and sponsoring agencies for task order development, management, and modification. This position requires strong analytical skills, independent judgment, and the ability to influence decisions across multiple organizations while working collaboratively in a highly collaborative, stakeholder‑heavy environment. This role is based in Pasadena, CA. Work is on‑site.

Key Responsibilities

• Task Order Lifecycle Management: Independently manage a portfolio of complex research and development task orders under the Caltech–NASA Prime Contract, ensuring compliance with contractual terms and timely execution of modifications, renewals, funding actions, and no‑cost extensions.
• Stakeholder Coordination: Coordinate discussions for task order changes, funding adjustments, and other contractual matters with NASA/sponsors and internal stakeholders.
• Contractual Guidance and Risk Mitigation: Provide authoritative interpretation of task order requirements and advise project teams on contractual obligations, risks, and compliance strategies.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration and Teamwork: Partner with pricing, business teams, legal, program management, and technical teams to resolve issues and ensure smooth task order execution in a highly collaborative, stakeholder‑heavy setting.
• Documentation and Compliance: Oversee preparation, review, and maintenance of task order documentation for accuracy and adherence to JPL and NASA requirements.

Qualifications

Typically requires a Bachelor’s degree in business administration, business law, or related discipline with a minimum of six (6) years of related experience; or a Master’s degree in similar disciplines with a minimum of (4) four years of related experience; or PhD (including JD) in similar disciplines with a minimum of two (2) years related experience. Extensive understanding and experience managing multiple government contracts. Extensive understanding and ability to apply FAR-based contracting principals. Proficiency in Microsoft Office.

Preferred Qualifications

Advanced knowledge of applicable industry and/or academic practices and standards in government contracting including different contract types such as Firm Fixed Price, Time and Materials, and other Cost Type contracts. Active TS/SCI security clearance or ability to obtain the clearance.

Benefits

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.

Salary Range

The typical full time equivalent annual hiring range for this job in Pasadena, California. $105,976 - $126,256

Equal Opportunity

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. EEO is the Law. EEO is the Law Supplement 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.

Background

Formed in 1936, the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory is a federally funded research and development center managed for NASA by the California Institute of Technology (Caltech.) JPL joined NASA as an FFRDC when the agency was founded in 1958. JPL helped open the Space Age by developing America’s first Earth-orbiting science satellite, creating the first successful interplanetary spacecraft, and sending robotic missions to the solar system. Today JPL continues its world-leading innovation, implementing programs in planetary exploration, Earth science, space-based astronomy and technology development while applying its capabilities to technical and scientific problems of national significance. Above all, we are explorers. At JPL we promote collaboration, innovation, integrity, and excellence in distinct academic areas. We turn ideas for science investigation into the reality of groundbreaking space missions, partnering with our strategic business teams to guide JPL into the future.