Senior Contracts Manager II

Rocket Lab Corporation•Chantilly, VA

9h•$108,000 - $135,000•Onsite

About The Position

Rocket Lab is an end-to-end space company building rockets, spacecraft, and critical subsystems. Based at Rocket Lab Optical Systems in Chantilly, Virginia, this Contracts Manager role administers contracts and ensures compliance across the business, supporting multiple types of U.S. Government and commercial contracts. The position helps ensure contractual obligations and performance milestones are met and calls for productivity, resourcefulness, and accuracy in a fast-paced open-space environment. The role negotiates and administers government and commercial contracts and related agreements, advises on contract provisions, supports proposals, and serves as the primary customer interface for contractual compliance matters. It also maintains contract files, builds customer and stakeholder relationships, and assists with invoicing and payments. The expected Virginia base salary is $108,000–$135,000. Compensation may also include company stock or cash incentives and participation in Rocket Lab’s Employee Stock Purchase Program. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision coverage; 401(k) options; paid vacation, holidays, and sick leave; paid parental leave; and other discounts and perks.

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, other transaction agreements (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 Department of Defense prime contracts and/or subcontracts supporting DoD programs.
Experience analyzing requests for proposals and preparing proposals.
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 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 the ability to communicate contract compliance information effectively 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 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 regarding them.
Analyze model contract terms and conditions for implications on programs and the corporation, and share relevant information 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, internal customers, and stakeholders.
Assist the Accounts Receivable team with generating invoices and obtaining payments from government and commercial customers.