Senior Contracts Manager II

Rocket Lab Corporation; Tucson (AZ); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Rocket Lab Corporation is seeking a Senior Contract Manager to oversee contract administration for government and commercial programs at Rocket Lab Optical Systems in Tucson, AZ, or Chantilly, VA. You will negotiate terms, analyze obligations, and supervise documentation to ensure compliance and timely performance.

The role requires a Bachelor’s degree and 8+ years of contract experience in Space or Aerospace & Defense, with TS/SCI readiness preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; 8+ years in contract admin/management in Space/A&D preferred.
• Deep knowledge of Government contracts, OTAs, FAR/DFARS.
• Experience negotiating commercial terms and conditions; DoD contracts support a must.

Responsibilities

• Negotiate and administer government/commercial contracts and subcontracts.
• Review contracts, interpret provisions, assess implications for programs and the company.
• Engage with government customers on compliance matters and equitable adjustments.
• Assist proposal reviews and RFIs; maintain contract files and customer relations.
• Support Accounts Receivable with invoicing/payments to government/commercial customers.

Skills

Contract negotiation

Contract administration

FAR/DFARS knowledge

DoD contract management

Proposal analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Rocket Lab is the end-to-end space company building rockets, spacecraft, and critical subsystems that keep the world connected, protected, expand humanity’s reach to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. We move fast, build real hardware for meaningful missions, and make the impossible routine. Come shape the future with us.

SENIOR CONTRACT MANAGER

Based at either Rocket Lab Optical Systems Tucson, AZ, or Chantilly, VA, locations. The Contracts Manager will be responsible for contract administration and compliance across the Rocket Lab Optical Systems business in support of multiple types of U.S. Government and commercial contracts to ensure we meet our contractual obligations and performance milestones. This position will require high levels of productivity, resourcefulness, and maintaining focus and accuracy in a fast-paced open space environment.

WHAT YOU'LL GET TO DO

• Negotiate and administer government contracts, commercial contracts, subcontracts non-disclosure agreements, teaming agreements and IP licenses.


• Review, interpret and provide advice regarding contract provisions and agreement types.


• Analyze model contract terms and conditions for implications on the program and corporation at large; disseminates this information to internal stakeholders and leadership.


• Serve as the primary customer interface for all contractual compliance matters, including: changes, disputes, or requests for equitable adjustment during contract performance.


• Assist the program and business development teams in proposal review and preparation in response to Government and commercial solicitations, as well as RFIs.


• Create and maintains contract and business files.


• Establish and maintain excellent relationships with Government and other customer counterparts, including internal customers and stakeholders.


• Assist Accounts Receivable team in generating invoices and payments with Government and commercial customers.

YOU’LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree and8+ years of contract administration and/or management experience in the Space and/or Aerospace & Defense industries.


• Extensive knowledge of Government contracts and contract types, OTAs, the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS).


• Extensive knowledge and experience negotiating commercial terms and conditions.


• Experience managing DoD prime contracts and/or subcontracts supporting DoD programs.


• Request for proposal (RFP) analysis and proposal preparation experience.


• Have or be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret/SCI security clearance.

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE

• Proficiency in out-of-the -box contracts (OTAs) a plus.


• Experience with Export Control, ITAR and EAR.


• Experience with financial, property and governmental agency audits.


• Experience with CLM systems like DocuSign.


• Ability leverage critical thinking skills to be able to timely solve problems independently and creatively.


• Strong written and verbal communication skills; able to articulate and effectively communicate contract compliance information to various levels of management and program teams.


• Proven ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment.


• Detail oriented, team player attitude, high work ethic and reliability.
  
• Ability to effectively communicate with engineers, scientists, attorneys, and industry executives.


• Ability to work independently as a self-starter, influence stakeholders through effective communication, and handle multiple priorities in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment.

This position may require prolonged periods of sitting, standing, walking, computer work, and occasional exposure to moderate levels of noise, dust, and fumes in production areas.

WHAT TO EXPECT

We’re on a mission to unlock the potential of space to improve life on Earth, but that’s not an easy task. It takes hard work, determination, relentless innovation, teamwork, grit, and an unwavering commitment to achieving what others often deem impossible. Our people out-think, out-work, and out-pace. We pride ourselves on having each other’s backs, checking our egos at the door, and rolling up our sleeves on all tasks big and small. We thrive under pressure, work to tight deadlines, and our focus is always on how we can deliver, rather than dwelling on the challenges that stand in the way.

FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN US OFFICES ONLY

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Rocket Lab Employees must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident (i.e., current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce, as applicable. Learn more about ITAR here .

Rocket Lab provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment at Rocket Lab, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for the application/interview process for a job in the United States should contact Giulia Johnson at [e-mail]. This dedicated resource is intended solely to assist job seekers with disabilities whose disability prevents them from being able to apply/interview. Only messages left for this purpose will be considered. A response to your request may take up to two business days.

FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN NEW ZEALAND OFFICES ONLY

For security reasons, background checks will be undertaken prior to any employment offers being made to an applicant. These checks will include nationality checks as it is a requirement of this position that you be eligible to access equipment and data regulated by the United States' International Traffic in Arms Regulations.

Under these Regulations, you may be ineligible for this role if you do not hold citizenship of Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, the European Union, or a country that is part of NATO, or if you hold ineligible dual citizenship or nationality. For more information on these Regulations, click here ITAR Regulations.

Voluntary Self-Identification

For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey. Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiringprocess or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in aconfidential file.

As set forth in Rocket Lab Corporation’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy,we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection.As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measurethe effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categoriesis as follows:

A \"disabled veteran\" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.

A \"recently separated veteran\" means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.

An \"active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran\" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

An \"Armed forces service medal veteran\" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.