Government Contracts Manager

Ispace Inc; Issaquah (WA, CO); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

ispace U.S. is seeking a Government Contracts Manager to own the full lifecycle of federal contracts, ensuring FAR/DFARS compliance and strategic alignment with our government programs. The role partners with Legal, Finance, IT, and Program Management and reports to Senior Counsel.

Based in the Washington, D.C. area, you will lead negotiations, monitor performance, and build scalable governance. This is a hands-on, high-impact role with exposure to prime contracts and government-facing

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in contract administration or related field.
• 8+ years of government contracts experience in aerospace, defense, or a comparable regulated industry.
• Working knowledge of the FAR, DFARS, and NASA FAR Supplement.
• Demonstrated negotiation experience with government customers or prime contractors.
• Bachelor's degree, or equivalent experience.
• Ability to work independently in a fast-moving environment where precedent often doesn't exist yet.
• Must live in the Washington D.C. area.
• Master's degree or higher.
• Experience with NASA acquisition, CLPS or commercial services contracts, or firm-fixed-price milestone-based space vehicle contracts.
• Familiarity with OTAs, SBIR/STTR, and Space Act Agreements.
• Background supporting a company through its first major prime award.
• NCMA certification (CPCM, CFCM, CCCM) or JD.
• Working knowledge of export control regimes and cross-border affiliate structures.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Own the full lifecycle of federal contracts — proposal support, negotiation, execution, administration, and closeout — ensuring compliance with the FAR, DFARS, and other applicable federal contracting requirements.
• Lead contract negotiations, modifications, and amendments, including negotiation strategy for complex government contracts and teaming or subcontract arrangements.
• Monitor contract performance, resolve issues or discrepancies, and run risk assessments; advise leadership on the contractual, financial, operational, and performance risks tied to federal opportunities and existing awards.
• Assess ispace U.S.'s processes and build the scalable policies, procedures, governance structures, and decision frameworks needed to operate as a sophisticated federal prime contractor, including executive-level review and escalation mechanisms for significant contractual matters.
• Partner with our US and global teams to strengthen federal contracting readiness and compliance across the organization.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for contract-related matters with federal contracting officers and agency representatives, and build the relationships with contracting officers, subcontractors, and teaming partners that keep contract execution compliant and on track.
• Identify the staffing and capability needs of a growing federal portfolio, and develop training for Business Development, Engineering, Program Management, Finance, and other teams that interact with federal contracts, so compliance expertise isn't held by one person.
• Represent ispace-U.S. at government-industry engagements, acquisition forums, conferences, industry days, and other strategic events.
• Establish performance metrics and executive reporting on contract execution, acquisition readiness, and portfolio health.
• Evaluate prime contractor, subcontractor, teaming, joint venture, and strategic partnership opportunities based on corporate objectives and federal market conditions.
• Assist in developing a long-term strategy for increasing ispace-U.S.’s ability to compete independently for prime federal contracts.

Skills

FAR/DFARS

Negotiation skills

Contract lifecycle

Compliance governance

Prime contract experience

Education

Bachelor's degree in contract administration

Master's degree

Tools

NCMA CPCM certification

Security clearance process

Job description

About ispace U.S.

At ispace U.S., we’re not just going to the Moon—we’re redefining how we get there. Our missions push the boundaries of human and robotic exploration, driven by our belief: “Expand our Planet. Expand our Future.” By providing cost-effective lunar transportation, we are pioneering a future where space is within reach for scientific discovery, commercial ventures, and sustainable exploration.

With locations in Japan, Luxembourg, and the United States, ispace is rapidly growing and leading the way in lunar exploration and development. Our U.S. branch is based in Englewood, Colorado, and focuses on high-capacity payload lunar landers designed to support future lunar missions. Our team is made up of innovators, problem-solvers, and visionaries committed to making space more accessible and fostering the next generation of space exploration.

Let’s go to the Moon together! Our team is growing, and we are actively seeking talented individuals who share our passion for space.

Position: Government Contracts Manager

We are seeking a Government Contracts Manager to build the contracting infrastructure ispace U.S. needs as our government business grows. This role owns the full lifecycle of our federal contracts — from proposal support through negotiation, execution, and closeout — and establishes the policies, governance, and compliance framework required to operate as a sophisticated federal contractor and prime. Reporting to our Senior Counsel, the Federal Contracts Manager partners closely with Legal, Finance, IT, Supply Chain, and Program Management to reduce contractual and compliance risk and to support the teams executing our government work. This is a hands-on role with broad scope — you'll be the company's authority on FAR/DFARS, the primary interface with government contracting officers and prime contractor counterparts, and a strategic partner to program managers who need contractual constraints translated into plain language. THIS ROLE WILL BE LOCATED IN THE WASHINGTON D.C. AREA

Responsibilities

• Own the full lifecycle of federal contracts — proposal support, negotiation, execution, administration, and closeout — ensuring compliance with the FAR, DFARS, and other applicable federal contracting requirements.
• Lead contract negotiations, modifications, and amendments, including negotiation strategy for complex government contracts and teaming or subcontract arrangements.
• Monitor contract performance, resolve issues or discrepancies, and run risk assessments; advise leadership on the contractual, financial, operational, and performance risks tied to federal opportunities and existing awards.
• Assess ispace U.S.'s processes and build the scalable policies, procedures, governance structures, and decision frameworks needed to operate as a sophisticated federal prime contractor, including executive-level review and escalation mechanisms for significant contractual matters.
• Partner with our US and global teams to strengthen federal contracting readiness and compliance across the organization.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for contract-related matters with federal contracting officers and agency representatives, and build the relationships with contracting officers, subcontractors, and teaming partners that keep contract execution compliant and on track.
• Identify the staffing and capability needs of a growing federal portfolio, and develop training for Business Development, Engineering, Program Management, Finance, and other teams that interact with federal contracts, so compliance expertise isn't held by one person.
• Represent ispace-U.S. at government-industry engagements, acquisition forums, conferences, industry days, and other strategic events.
• Establish performance metrics and executive reporting on contract execution, acquisition readiness, and portfolio health.
• Evaluate prime contractor, subcontractor, teaming, joint venture, and strategic partnership opportunities based on corporate objectives and federal market conditions.
• Assist in developing a long-term strategy for increasing ispace-U.S.’s ability to compete independently for prime federal contracts.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in contract administration or related field. We will consider a combination of experience and education for all roles.
• 8+ years of government contracts experience in aerospace, defense, or a comparable regulated industry
• Working command of the FAR, DFARS, and NASA FAR Supplement, with practical experience across multiple contract types (FFP, CPFF, CPIF, IDIQ, OTA)
• Demonstrated negotiation experience with government customers or prime contractors
• Bachelor's degree, or equivalent experience
• Ability to work independently in a fast-moving environment where precedent often doesn't exist yet
• Must live in the Washington D.C. area
• Master's degree or higher
• Experience with NASA acquisition, CLPS or commercial services contracts, or firm-fixed-price milestone-based space vehicle contracts
• Familiarity with OTAs, SBIR/STTR, and Space Act Agreements
• Background supporting a company through its first major prime award
• NCMA certification (CPCM, CFCM, CCCM) or JD
• Working knowledge of export control regimes and cross-border affiliate structures
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance

Additional Information

#LI-LH1

We Believe in Diversity

At ispace, we believe that diverse perspectives drive innovation. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and experiences, even if you don’t meet every listed requirement. If you’re passionate about our mission and think you can contribute, we encourage you to apply. Your unique skills and experiences may be exactly what we need to grow and succeed together.

Export Regulations

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR.here.

Equal Opportunity Employer

ispace is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with ispace is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.

Background Investigation

All applicants who are offered employment with ispace US will be subject to a background investigation. Offers of employment are contingent on the successful completion of a background investigation conducted in accordance with Company policies and all applicable laws.

Drug-Free Workplace

ispace Technologies, US, Inc. is a drug-free workplace.

E-Verify

ispace Technologies, US, Inc. participates in the E-Verify program.