Subcontract Manager III

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory; California; On-site; USD 110,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory is seeking a Level 3 Subcontracts Manager to oversee a diverse portfolio of subcontracts, collaborating with engineers and scientists to meet project needs. The role focuses on end-to-end procurement, negotiation, and compliance with federal requirements in a dynamic research environment.

Located in Pasadena, CA, the position emphasizes cost, schedule, and quality management with a strong emphasis on collaboration across technical teams and suppliers.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration or related discipline with a minimum of 6 years of related experience, or Master's degree with a minimum of 4 years.
• Significant experience in strategic sourcing, supply chain management, contract management, FAR, or administration of cost-type R&D contracts.
• Experience in commercial, government, and/or academic subcontracting environments across pre-solicitation, solicitation, award, and closeout.

Responsibilities

• Manage a diverse portfolio of subcontracts, including technology demonstrations, research studies, proposals, and software/hardware development.
• Serve as the primary business interface with subcontractors to support project procurement requirements.
• Develop solutions to subcontract issues and oversee the total supply chain management process from requirements to closeout.
• Manage end-to-end subcontract processes: market research, drafting, soliciting, awarding, managing, and closeout across various contract types.
• Collaborate with technical counterparts to create solicitation documents for cost or pricing proposals.
• Formulate negotiation strategies and conduct negotiations on delivery, price, and terms.
• Post-award, manage cost, schedule, and quality with subcontractors to ensure compliance and resolve discrepancies.
• Negotiate and issue subcontract modifications and ensure timely closeout.
• Provide excellent customer service by guiding stakeholders through the acquisition process and aligning with JPL requirements.

Skills

Strategic sourcing

Supply chain management

Contract management

FAR compliance

Cost-type contracts

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration

Master's degree in related discipline

Tools

Oracle Purchasing

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.

Job Description

As a Level 3 Subcontracts Manager, you will:

• Manage a diverse portfolio of interesting and diverse subcontracts, ranging from technology demonstrations, research studies, proposal and design work, and software and hardware development.
• Serve as the primary business interface with subcontractors in support of project procurement requirements.
• Use critical thinking skills to develop solutions to unique subcontract issues and autonomously oversee the total supply chain management process, from identification of customer requirements through closeout of the subcontract.
• Manage the subcontract process from beginning to end, including market research to identify potential sources, drafting, soliciting, selecting, awarding, managing, and closing a wide range of subcontracts from fixed-price, labor hour, to cost type.
• In collaboration with your technical counterpart, develop solicitation documents to acquire cost or pricing proposals.
• Apply all available information to formulate negotiation strategies and conduct negotiations on delivery, price, technical requirements, and subcontract terms.
• After subcontract award, partner with a JPL technical counterpart to manage the cost, schedule, and quality of a Subcontractor’s performance to ensure compliance with Laboratory requirements and resolve discrepancies.
• Negotiate and issue subcontract modifications as needed and ensure the timely closeout of subcontracts.
• Provide excellent customer service by navigating customers through the total supply chain process and developing unique acquisition solutions, aligned with NASA JPL requirements, in order to meet the needs of JPL engineers, scientists, and projects.

Qualifications

• Typically requires a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration or a related discipline with a minimum of 6 years of related experience, or Master’s degree in similar disciplines with a minimum of 4 years of related experience.
• Significant experience in one or more of the following areas: Strategic sourcing, supply chain management, contract management, Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), or administration of cost-type research and development (R&D) contracts.
• Experience in commercial, government, and/or academic-related subcontracting environment encompassing pre-solicitation, solicitation, evaluating/source selection, award, post-award management and closeout activities.

Preferred Skills

• Experience with Oracle Purchasing or similar Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system
• Professional Designation in Government Contracts or Purchasing Management and/or membership to related professional affiliations

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.

For further benefits information click Benefits and Perks

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.

$110,032 - $130,000

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.

EEO Statements

• EEO is the Law.
• EEO is the Law Supplement
• Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision

In addition, JPL is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

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 .