Senior Contracts Manager II

Rocket Lab Corporation • Tucson, AZ

8h • Onsite

About The Position

Rocket Lab is seeking a contracts manager based at its Rocket Lab Optical Systems location in Tucson, Arizona. The role administers contracts and ensures compliance across the Optical Systems business, supporting multiple types of U.S. Government and commercial contracts. The position helps ensure contractual obligations and performance milestones are met and requires productivity, resourcefulness, and accuracy in a fast-paced open-space environment.

The manager negotiates and administers government and commercial contracts, subcontracts, nondisclosure and teaming agreements, and intellectual-property licenses. They interpret contract provisions, advise on contract terms, serve as the primary customer interface for contractual compliance matters, and support proposal activities and invoicing. The role also establishes relationships with customer counterparts and internal stakeholders.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree.
• At least 8 years of contract administration and/or management experience in the space and/or aerospace and defense industries.
• Extensive knowledge of Government contracts and contract types, OTAs, the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), and the 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.

Nice To Haves

• Proficiency with out-of-the-box contracts (OTAs).
• Experience with Export Control, ITAR, and EAR.
• Experience with financial, property, and governmental agency audits.
• Experience with contract lifecycle management (CLM) systems such as DocuSign.
• Ability to use critical thinking to solve problems independently and creatively in a timely manner.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including communicating contract compliance information to management and program teams.
• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment.
• Detail-oriented, team-player attitude, high work ethic, and reliability.
• Ability to communicate effectively 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.

Responsibilities

• Negotiate and administer government and commercial contracts, subcontracts, nondisclosure agreements, teaming agreements, and intellectual-property licenses.
• Review and interpret contract provisions and agreement types, and provide advice about them.
• Analyze model contract terms and conditions for their implications for programs and the corporation, and share findings with internal stakeholders and leadership.
• Serve as the primary customer interface for contractual compliance matters, including changes, disputes, and requests for equitable adjustment during contract performance.
• Assist program and business development teams with proposal review and preparation in response to Government and commercial solicitations and requests for information.
• Create and maintain contract and business files.
• Establish and maintain relationships with Government and other customer counterparts, as well as internal customers and stakeholders.
• Assist the Accounts Receivable team with generating invoices and payments involving Government and commercial customers.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior