Contracts Manager III, TS/SCI

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory; Pasadena (CA); On-site; USD 106,000 - 126,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Flexible schedule

Job summary

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, seeks an experienced Contracts Manager III to lead high‑complexity contractual actions and shape negotiation positions across the Laboratory and Sponsors.

You will coordinate with Legal, Finance, Program Management, and technical teams to ensure contract posture aligns with institutional goals while maintaining rigorous records and compliant processes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, or related field with 6+ years of related experience; or a Master’s degree with 4+ years; or PhD with 2+ years.
• Active TS/SCI clearance.
• Advanced knowledge of FAR and government contracting principles (Govenment Contracts / Prime/Subcontract).
• Strong judgment and exceptional communication, influencing key stakeholders.
• Proficient with MS Office and ability to master JPL-specific software.

Responsibilities

• Independently manage complex contract matters with significant impact across functions.
• Lead development of complex proposals and modifications involving contractual risk.
• Lead integrated teams and coordinate with Legal, Finance, PM, and Sponsors.
• Interpret contract clauses and advise on rights, obligations, and regulatory requirements.
• Negotiate complex agreements including NDAs, MOUs, IPAs, and other contracts.
• Maintain gold-standard contract records and ensure compliance with policies.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, or related field with 6+ years of related experience

Master’s degree in a related field with 4+ years of related experience

PhD in similar discipline with 2+ years of related experience

Tools

MS Office

Job description

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.

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.

Required Skills:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, 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 year of related experience; OR PhD in similar discipline with a minimum 2 years of related experience.
• An active TS/SCI clearance.
• 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.

Competencies for Success:

• Ability to identify issues early and work with the team to find practical solutions and opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Ability to maintain sound judgment and lead with integrity under pressure and handle sensitive information with discretion.

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 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.

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.