Contracts Manager IV, TS/SCI

Jet Propulsion Laboratory; United States; On-site; USD 133,000 - 159,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid time off

Flexible schedule

Retirement plans

Parental leave

Job summary

Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, seeks a Contracts Manager IV to serve as the Laboratory’s primary authority on the NASA/Caltech Prime Contract and related agreements. This role blends compliance expertise with strategic negotiation and cross-functional leadership.

You will oversee complex negotiations (NDA, OCI, IPA, MOU), manage relationships with NASA NOJMO, Caltech, and sponsors, and lead teams to align goals while ensuring rigorous contract records.

Qualifications

• Broad multidisciplinary knowledge of contract, personnel, and program/project management.
• Deep familiarity with FAR and government contracting principles.
• Extensive experience analyzing and negotiating complex contract terms.

Responsibilities

• Be the primary interpretive body for contractual matters and provide guidance on rights, obligations, and risk.
• Lead negotiation and execution of complex agreements including NDA, OCI, IPA, and MOU with government, civil and commercial sponsors.
• Manage relationships with NASA NOJMO, other NASA Centers, Caltech, Lab leadership and sponsors to ensure alignment.

Skills

FAR knowledge

Contract management

Negotiation

Leadership

Analytical skills

MS Office

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration/Finance

Master’s degree

PhD

Tools

MS Office Suite

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 IV within the Contracts Management, Policy and Compliance Section (2110), you will serve as the Laboratory’s primary authority on the NASA/Caltech Prime Contract and other contractual agreements. You will navigate complex contractual landscapes, providing the interpretive guidance and strategic oversight necessary to protect the Laboratory's interests while fostering innovation. This is a high-impact role requiring a blend of rigorous compliance expertise, sophisticated negotiation skills, and the ability to lead cross-functional teams in a dynamic, mission-driven environment.

Key Responsibilities include but not limited to:

• Be the primary interpretive body for contractual matters. Provide clear guidance to Laboratory personnel and executive management on rights, obligations, and risk mitigation strategies.
• Lead the negotiation and execution of complex agreements, including Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDA), Organizational Conflict of Interest (OCI), Intergovernmental Personnel Act (IPA) Agreements, Memoranda of Understanding (MOU), and other high-level contractual instruments with the government, civil and commercial sponsors.
• Serve as the principal interface and manage critical relationships with the NASA Office of JPL Management and Oversight (NOJMO), other NASA Centers, and Caltech, and Lab leadership, and sponsors to ensure institutional alignment on goals and objectives.
• Lead multi-disciplinary teams and manage priorities, budgets, and resources. Recommend and implement strategic changes that improve organizational efficiency and compliance posture.
• Ensure adherence to Caltech/JPL policies and federal regulations. Conduct rigorous reviews of documentation and maintain gold-standard contract records.

Required Qualifications:

• Typically a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, or related field with a minimum of 9 years of related experience; OR a Master’s degree in similar discipline with a minimum of 7 years of related experience; OR PhD in similar discipline with a minimum of 5 years of related experience.
• An active TS/SCI security clearance is required.
• Broad multidisciplinary knowledge of industry best practices in contract, personnel, and program/project management.
• Deep familiarity with Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) and other government and/or commercial contracting principles.
• Extensive experience analyzing and negotiating complex contract terms and conditions.
• Proven track record in a managerial or project leadership role, with the ability to lead High degree of attention to detail and the ability to communicate effectively across all levels of the organization.
• Excellence in analytical and research skills, working knowledge of financial applications, and proficiency with the Microsoft Office Suite.

Desired Qualifications:

• Previous experience working with Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC)s, NASA, and/or academic institutions.

Competencies for Success

• An "open-minded change agent" who identifies opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Exceptional oral and written communication skills, capable of influencing stakeholders at all levels, including legal, executive teams, and faculty.
• Ability to maintain sound judgment and lead with composure in a high-stakes environment.

Benefits and Perks

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 further benefits information.

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.

$132,600 - $158,704

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.

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.