Contracts Manager

Austin, TXManufacturing & Operations – Supply Chain /Full-time /On-sitePlease Note: To conform with the United States Government Space Technology Export Regulations, the applicant must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., conditional resident, asylee or refugee (protected individuals as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3)), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.At CesiumAstro, we are developers and pioneers of out-of-the-box communication systems for satellites, UAVs, launch vehicles, and other space and airborne platforms. We take pride in our dynamic and cross-functional work environment, which allows us to learn, develop, and engage across our organization. If you are looking for hands-on, interactive, and autonomous work, CesiumAstro is the place for you. We are actively seeking passionate, collaborative, energetic, and forward-thinking individuals to join our team.We are looking to add a Contracts Manager to our team. If you enjoy working in a startup environment and are passionate about developing leading-edge electronics for satellites, spacecraft, and aerospace systems, we would like to hear from you.In this position, you will be responsible for leading all aspects of contract administration across multiple aerospace and defense programs. This role provides strategic oversight, process governance, and leadership for the contracts team to ensure compliance with federal regulations (FAR/DFARS), company policies, and customer requirements. The Contracts Administration Manager partners cross-functionally with Program Management, Supply Chain, Legal, Finance, and Business Development to mitigate risk, enable efficient contract execution, and support the company’s financial and operational goalsThis is a highly visible position requiring strong business acumen, regulatory expertise, and the ability to build collaborative relationships across internal and external stakeholders.JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIESAssign resources and manage workloads across multiple programs and contract portfolios.Establish performance goals and ensure consistent application of contract management best practices.Oversee the administration of U.S. Government (FAR/DFARS), commercial, and international contracts from proposal through closeout.Review, draft, and negotiate complex contractual documents, including prime contracts, NDAs, teaming agreements, and modifications.Ensure all contractual commitments are executed in accordance with company policies, regulatory requirements, and program objectives.Ensure compliance with applicable regulations (FAR, DFARS, ITAR, and other federal acquisition requirements).Coordinate with Legal and Export Compliance to identify and mitigate potential contractual and regulatory risks.Oversee contract data integrity and documentation to support internal and external audits.Support bid and proposal activities by reviewing solicitations, evaluating risk, and developing contract strategies.Serve as the primary point of contact for customers on contractual issues, ensuring timely resolution and customer satisfaction.JOB REQUIREMENTS AND MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONSBachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Contract Management, or related field; or equivalent combination of education and experience.8–10+ years of progressive experience in contract administration within aerospace, defense, or government contracting environments.Strong working knowledge of FAR, DFARS, and ITAR regulations.Demonstrated success in managing and negotiating complex government and commercial contracts.PREFERRED EXPERIENCEMaster's degree in business administration, Law, or a related discipline.Professional certification such as NCMA CPCM, CFCM, or CCCM.Experience managing international defense contracts and export-controlled programs.Proven leadership experience with the ability to coach and develop high-performing teams.Excellent analytical, communication, and interpersonal skillsFamiliarity with ERP or contract management systems (SAP, Costpoint, Unison, or similar).Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance.CesiumAstro considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, education/training, and key skills. Full-time employment offers include company stock options and a generous benefits package including health, dental, vision, HSA, FSA, life, disability and retirement plans. CesiumAstro is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected Veteran Status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.Please note: CesiumAstro does not accept unsolicited resumes from contract agencies or search firms. Any unsolicited resumes submitted to our website or to CesiumAstro team members will be considered property of CesiumAstro, and we will not be obligated to pay any referral fees.We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.