Job Details

New ideas are all around us, but only a few will change the world. That’s our focus at JPL. We ask the biggest questions, then search the universe for answers—literally. We build upon ideas that have guided generations, then share our discoveries to inspire generations to come. Your mission—your opportunity—is to seek out the answers that bring us one step closer. If you’re driven to discover, create, and inspire something that lasts a lifetime and beyond, you’re ready for JPL.

Located in Pasadena, California, JPL has a campus-like environment situated on 177 acres in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains and offers a work environment unlike any other: we inspire passion, foster innovation, build collaboration, and reward excellence.

This is a rare opportunity to be a senior Subcontracts Manager in the Acquisition Division Flight Subcontracts Section which functions as an integral part of all JPL/NASA Missions. This individual contributor will be a member of the Planetary Science Subcontract Group and is responsible for managing a portfolio of complex Flight Subcontracts. The Subcontracts Manager’s portfolio consists of research and development subcontracts for the design, fabrication, and test of hardware and software which will fly on robotic spacecraft of national historic importance.  You will serve as the primary business interface with subcontractors in support of project procurement requirements. You will need to use critical thinking skills to develop solutions to unique subcontract issues and autonomously oversee the total supply chain management process, from identification of customer requirements through closeout of the subcontract.

The Subcontracts Manager is responsible for the identification, solicitation, selection, award, drafting and management of subcontracts. You will develop solicitation documents in order to obtain cost or pricing proposals and often technical and management proposals. The Subcontracts Manager is responsible for leading competitive evaluations to establish lowest responsive and responsible bidders, or select best value proposers. You will utilize all available information to formulate negotiation strategies and conduct negotiations on delivery, price, technical requirements and subcontract terms. Subsequent to subcontract award, the Subcontracts Manager partners with an engineer or scientist to manage the cost, schedule, and quality of a Subcontractors performance to ensure compliance with Laboratory requirements and resolve discrepancies. You will also be responsible for negotiating and issuing subcontract modifications as needed and ensuring the timely closeout of subcontracts. Our Subcontracts Managers are adept at providing excellent customer service by navigating customers through the total supply chain process and developing unique acquisition solutions, compliant with NASA JPL requirements, in order to meet the needs of JPL engineers, scientists, and projects

The following qualifications are required:

• Typically requires a Bachelors degree in Business Administration, or related discipline with a minimum of 9 years of related experience; Masters degree in similar disciplines with a minimum of 7 years of related experience; or PhD in similar disciplines with a minimum of 5 years related experience.

• Wide-ranging experience and advanced knowledge in one or more of the following areas: Contract Management, Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), Administration of cost-type R&D contracts.

• Extensive understanding and wide application of advanced principles, theories, concepts and techniques in processing procurements and performing subcontract post award administration.

• Extensive knowledge of industry, government, and/or academic practices and standards across a range of applications related to contract management.

• Demonstrated discretion and independent judgment, creativity and innovation when addressing critical issues and determining appropriate resolutions.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in purchasing flight R&D hardware

• Wide range of experience in applying best business practices in a government related subcontracting environment, including source selection, conducting negotiations and management of a variety of complex subcontracts.

• Strong negotiation skills

• Experience analyzing multi-million-dollar cost proposals

• Understanding of and analytical experience with Earned Value Management (EVM)

• Experience with Oracle Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system

• Professional Designation in Government Contracts or Purchasing Management and/or membership to related professional affiliations

JPL is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy or perceived pregnancy, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, protected military or veteran status or any other characteristic or condition protected by Federal, state or local law.

In addition, JPL is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

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Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision

The Jet Propulsion Laboratory is a federal facility. Due to rules imposed by NASA, JPL will not accept applications from citizens of designated countries or those born in a designated country unless they are Legal Permanent Residents of the U.S or have other protected status under 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3). The Designated Countries List is available here.