Director of Contracts

Overview

Turning Space into a Transportation Layer for Earth

Who We Are:

Eras of humanity can often be defined by a dominant transportation mode - horse drawn chariots, ocean going boats, or aircraft. These were spurred by a small group of people rigorously focused on building technology to achieve faster access to more of the world. We seek to usher in a new era of humanity defined by universal access to the whole globe free of borders and the presence of a routine way from space to Earth.

To do this, we are building highly maneuverable re-entry vehicles that can loiter in orbit before precision landing back on Earth.

The Director of Contracts will serve as the company’s senior contracts authority
, owning the full lifecycle of government and commercial contracts. This role is intentionally individual-contributor–heavy at the outset
, with responsibility for personally managing and negotiating critical agreements while building the contracts function from the ground up
.

As the company grows, this leader will define the contracts strategy, establish scalable processes, and ultimately build and lead a contracts team. This is a hands-on role for someone who is comfortable operating independently today and designing a department for tomorrow.

Individual Contributor – Core Responsibilities (Initial Focus)

• Own and execute the end-to-end contract lifecycle for U.S. Government, prime, and subcontract agreements
• Lead negotiations of terms and conditions, including pricing structures, data rights, IP, indemnification, and risk allocation
• Draft, review, and manage contracts including prime contracts, subcontracts, NDAs, teaming agreements, CRADAs, and commercial agreements
• Serve as the primary interface with Government Contracting Officers, primes, and key customers
• Interpret contract requirements and advise leadership on contractual risk, compliance obligations, and execution strategy
• Support contract modifications, claims, REAs, and change management activities
• Ensure compliance with FAR, DFARS, ITAR, EAR, and applicable security and export control requirements

Building the Contracts Function (Growth Phase)

• Design and implement scalable contracts policies, procedures, templates, and approval workflows
• Develop contract playbooks and negotiation standards aligned with company risk tolerance
• Select and implement contract management tools as appropriate
• Train internal stakeholders on government contracting fundamentals and compliance requirements
• Define hiring plans and build out a contracts team (e.g., Contracts Manager, Administrator) as business volume grows
• Establish a contracts organization capable of supporting larger, more complex, and classified programs

• Opportunity to build and lead the contracts function at a growing A&D startup
• High-impact role with direct access to executive leadership
• Meaningful work supporting national security and advanced technology programs

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Legal Studies, Engineering, or related field (JD or advanced degree a plus)
• 8–12+ years of contracts experience within aerospace, defense, or government contracting environments
• Demonstrated experience negotiating and managing FAR/DFARS-based contracts
• Experience operating in small, mid-sized, or startup organizations where roles are hands-on
• Strong working knowledge of DoD contracting practices and compliance requirements
• Ability to operate independently, exercise sound judgment, and balance risk with business objectives
• Ability to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI DoD clearance
• Active Secret Clearance

• Active DoD TS/SCI clearance
• Prior experience supporting classified programs and secure facilities
• Experience working directly with DoD Contracting Officers
• Background in both prime and subcontractor roles
• Experience standing up a contracts function or significantly improving one
• Familiarity with audits, DCMA/DCAA interactions, and contract-related reviews

The California annual base salary for this role is currently $,000 Pay Grades are determined by role, level, location, and alignment with market data. Individual pay will be determined on a…