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Contracts Manager

El Segundo, California, United States

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About Varda

The environment of space hold the potential to craft products that profoundly enhance life on Earth. Varda is at the forefront of this endeavor, harnessing the unique environment of low earth orbit to produce these innovations and reintroduce them to our world. Our mission transcends mere exploration; we're expanding the economic horizons of humanity.

At Varda, you'll be positioned at the nexus of ambition and expertise. Our seasoned team, with its rich legacy in aerospace and technology, has honed its skills in the corridors of industry giants. Here, your contributions will be both cherished and critiqued by leaders who, with a wealth of experience behind them, are now devoted to the realm of extraterrestrial manufacturing.

While our aspirations soar high, our path is grounded in technical pragmatism and operational viability. Our conceptual operations are crystalline material processing and reentry, backed by years of research and development anchored in the International Space Station's, and commercial space sectors expansive achievements.

Join Varda, and work to finally create a bustling in-space ecosystem.

About This Role

Varda’s Legal team is looking for a contracts manager to support the company’s complex technical contracts with both government offices, and commercial customers. As a critical member of a small team, you will report directly to the General Counsel and will be responsible for negotiating and managing novel government and commercial aerospace, microgravity, and pharmaceutical contracts. You will work across a variety of disciplines to shape the future of both the pharmaceutical and hypersonics industries. This role requires attention to detail, great project management, and strong communication. As Contracts Manager, you will be directly responsible for various contract life-cycle activities including pre-award and post-award documentation, contract compliance including FAR/DFARS compliance management, supporting proposal generation, organizing and managing contract files.

This is a full-time, exempt position located in our El Segundo headquarters.

Responsibilities

Represent Varda to customers and serve as the counterpart contracting officer for both government and commercial missions
Lead or support contract negotiations with our customers, while establishing and maintaining a positive working relationship
Efficiently remove blockers to contract signature while protecting the company's interests
Provide comprehensive contract support and coordination across teams to ensure mission management, operations, proposals, sales, product, and leadership teams are informed of, and are in compliance with signed contracts and regulations
Efficiently manage the contract closeout process, including final deliveries, payments, and resolving outstanding issues
Manage compliance efforts with government contracts and regulatory entities, including in particular the FAR and DFARS
Create and maintain contract and business files
Efficiently manage the contract closeout process, including final deliveries, payments, and resolving outstanding issues
Advise management of their rights and obligations under the contracts
Review, and provide recommendations on, all types of contracts and agreements as needed
Draft, review, and negotiate a variety of contracts and agreements, including vendor contracts, client agreements, and partnership agreements

Basic Qualifications

BA/BS degree in law, business, finance or similar field
4+ years of contract management experience
2+ years of government contract management experience
Experience with various Government contract types, in particular, Firm Fixed Price contracts, Other Transaction Authorities (OTAs), and Space Act Agreements
Experience with government contract compliance requirements under the FAR (Federal Acquisition Regulation), DFARS (Defense Federal Acquisition Supplement) and the NASA FAR Supplement (NFS)
Experience with commercial contracts, including confidentiality/non-disclosure and vendor agreements
Demonstrated ability to negotiate and provide strong verbal and written arguments
Ability and willingness to receive Top Secret or TS/SCI clearance
Ability to deliver on aggressive and competing deadlines
Experience with export controlled materials and compliance under both the ITAR (International Traffic in Arms Regulation) and the EAR (Export Administration Regulation)
Willingness to travel up to 25% of the time
U.S. Citizen or lawful permanent resident of the U.S. to conform with U.S. Government space technology export regulations under ITAR.

Preferred Skills and Experience

National Contract Management Association Certification
TS/SCI Clearance
Experience with pharmaceutical or space industries
DoD and/or NASA contract administration or related experience

Pay Range

Salary range: $125,000 - $170,000/per year.
This role is on-sitein El Segundo, CA
Leveling and base salary is determined by job-related skills, education level, experience level, and job performance
You will be eligible for long-term incentives in the form of stock options and/or long-term cash awards
Offer compensation also includes the ability to purchase company stock through the Employee Stock Purchase Plan

ITAR Requirements

Varda, like all employers, must ensure that its employees working in the United States are lawfully authorized to work in the U.S. Additionally, our employees are exposed to and have access to certain export-controlled items. At present, some of our technology to which employees have access requires a license to be exported to individuals other than “U.S. Persons” as defined in U.S. export regulations. Because our employees are provided access to export-controlled items, our current policy is to only hire “U.S. persons” who are permitted to have access to our technology without an export license.

“US person” means: U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident, or protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) (i.e., individual admitted to the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum in the U.S.)
Learn more about the ITAR here.

Benefits

Exciting team of professionals at the top of their field to working by your side
Working in El Segundo, CA - an awesome Southern California beach city with quick access to entertainment and outdoor activities
Equity in a fully funded space startup with potential for significant growth (interns excluded)
401(k) matching (interns excluded)
Unlimited PTO (interns excluded)
Health insurance, including Vision and Dental
Lunch and snacks provided on site every day. Dinners provided twice a week.
Maternity / Paternity leave (interns excluded)

Varda Space Industries is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Candidates and employees are always evaluated based on merit, qualifications, and performance. We will never discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, national origin, ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, martial status, mental or physical disability, or any other legally protected status.

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Varda jobs

Contracts Manager