The future of aerospace and defense starts here.
Ursa Major was founded to revolutionize how America and its allies access and apply high-performance propulsion, from hypersonics to solid rocket motors, satellite maneuvering and launch. We design and deliver propulsion and defense systems that solve the most urgent and critical national security demands.
As the Manager, Subcontracts reporting to the Director of Strategic Sourcing & Procurement, you will serve as a strategic partner to Engineering, Compliance, Program Management, Finance, and Legal, ensuring subcontracts are effectively structured, negotiated, executed, and managed to support program objectives while minimizing contractual, financial, and operational risk. You will do this in compliance with Procurement and Ursa Major standards, strategies, and initiatives.
The ideal candidate brings a strong understanding of Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), FAR Supplement, and commercial terms and conditions. This role requires independent navigation of complex subcontracting activities, exercising sound business judgement, identifying potential risks, and developing solutions in a fast-paced, evolving environment.
Job Responsibilities:
- Independently manage the entire subcontracting lifecycle, including proposal evaluation, negotiations, award, administration, modifications, and closeout.
- Lead the preparation, issuance, and evaluation of Requests for Information (RFIs), and Requests for Proposals (RFPs).
- Develop and negotiate subcontract agreements, including fixed-price, time-and-materials, and cost-reimbursement arrangements, as applicable.
- Establish and maintain subcontract documentation, ensuring contractual requirements, approvals, and records are accurate and compliant.
- Proactively manage subcontract performance, including deliverables, milestones, schedules, funding, changes, and contractual obligations.
- Identify and resolve subcontract-related issues, disputes, and performance concerns with minimal supervision.
- Develop negotiation strategies that balance business objectives, supplier relationships, regulatory compliance, and risk exposure.
- Interpret and apply applicable FAR, FAR supplement, and other commercial terms requirements to subcontracting activities.
- Review and negotiate supplier exceptions or proposed modifications to contractual flowdowns.
- Support internal and external audits, government reviews, and purchasing system compliance initiatives.
- Ensure SOWs contain technical requirements, scope, deliverables, milestones, acceptance criteria, responsibilities, and performance expectations.
- Serve as the primary point of contact for assigned subcontractual matters, providing guidance and recommendations to internal stakeholders.
- Develop and implement scalable subcontract management practices that support the organization's continued growth.
- Grow and manage the subcontracts team.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Contracts Management, Finance, a related field, or equivalent relevant experience.
- 8+ years of progressive experience in subcontract administration, contract management, or government procurement, preferably within aerospace, defense, or advanced manufacturing.
- Demonstrated experience independently managing complex subcontracts from solicitation through closeout.
- Strong working knowledge of FAR, FAR supplements, and subcontract flowdown applicability.
- Proven ability to review complex contractual terms and conditions and assist internal requestors with Statements of Work.
- Strong understanding of contract types, pricing structures, and associated risk considerations.
- Demonstrated ability to identify contractual risks and develop practical mitigation strategies.
- Excellent negotiation, analytical, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
- Ability to manage competing priorities, make informed decisions, and execute independently in a fast-paced environment.
- Strong attention to detail with the ability to understand both contractual requirements and broader business objectives.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience supporting Department of Defense (DoD) programs.
- Experience with Cost Accounting Standards (CAS), Truthful Cost or Pricing Data requirements, and contractor purchasing system compliance.
- Familiarity with Defense Priorities and Allocations System (DPAS), ITAR, export controls, and applicable government subcontracting requirements.
- Experience negotiating intellectual property rights, technical data rights, and complex aerospace or defense supplier agreements.
- Experience supporting development, prototype, new product introduction (NPI), and production environments.
- Experience working with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems and contract management tools.
- Experience developing subcontract templates, procedures, negotiation playbooks, or compliance frameworks.
- Professional certifications such as CPCM, CFCM, or NCMA-related credentials.
- Experience with FARSITE and/or Ironclad
Colorado law requires us to tell you the base compensation range of this role, which is $152,080 - $190,100, determined by your education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities. What we can’t quantify for you are the exciting challenges, supportive team, and amazing culture we enjoy.
Classification: Full-time Exempt
Benefits Include: (Please note, Interns are not eligible for benefits)
- Unlimited PTO - Vacation, Sick, Personal, and Bereavement
- Paid Parental and Adoptive Leave
- Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
- Tax Advantage Accounts (HSA/FSA)
- Employer Paid Short and Long Term Disability, Basic Life, AD&D
- Additional Benefit Options Including Voluntary Life and Emergency Medical Transport
- EAP Program
- Retirement Savings Plan - 401k with Company Match
How To Apply:
Interested candidates are encouraged to apply by filling out the application below and clicking "Submit Application". This position will be posted for a minimum of 3 days and will remain open until filled or adjusted based on the volume of applicants.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Contracts Management, Finance, a related field, or equivalent relevant experience
- 8+ years of progressive experience in subcontract administration, contract management, or government procurement
- Experience in aerospace, defense, or advanced manufacturing
- Experience independently managing complex subcontracts from solicitation through closeout
- Strong working knowledge of Federal Acquisition Regulation, FAR supplements, and subcontract flowdown applicability
- Experience reviewing complex contractual terms and conditions and assisting with Statements of Work
- Understanding of contract types, pricing structures, and associated risk considerations
- Ability to identify contractual risks and develop practical mitigation strategies
- Strong negotiation, analytical, communication, and stakeholder management skills
- Ability to manage competing priorities, make informed decisions, and execute independently in a fast-paced environment
- Strong attention to detail and ability to understand contractual requirements and broader business objectives
- Experience supporting Department of Defense programs
- Experience with Cost Accounting Standards, Truthful Cost or Pricing Data requirements, and contractor purchasing system compliance
- Familiarity with DPAS, ITAR, export controls, and applicable government subcontracting requirements
- Experience negotiating intellectual property rights, technical data rights, and complex aerospace or defense supplier agreements
- Experience supporting development, prototype, new product introduction, and production environments
- Experience with ERP systems and contract management tools
- Experience developing subcontract templates, procedures, negotiation playbooks, or compliance frameworks
- Professional certification such as CPCM, CFCM, or an NCMA-related credential
- Experience with FARSITE and/or Ironclad
What the Team is Saying
Ursa Major Compensation & Benefits Highlights
-
Leave & Time Off Breadth — Unlimited PTO covering vacation, personal, sick, and bereavement leave is paired with paid company holidays and two weeklong company-wide shutdowns in July and at year-end. This structure provides guaranteed downtime in addition to flexible time off.
-
Parental & Family Support — Paid parental and adoptive leave is explicitly included, and family-oriented supports are highlighted in company and third‑party materials. These inclusions signal meaningful coverage for growing families, though exact paid durations are not publicly specified.
-
Healthcare Strength — Coverage spans medical, dental, vision, prescription drugs, HSA/FSA, and employer‑paid short‑ and long‑term disability, basic life, and AD&D. Health coverage breadth appears strong across official listings.
Ursa Major Insights
What We Do
Ursa Major was founded to address a critical shortfall in the U.S. industrial base and bring a new model to aerospace and defense systems: we design and manufacture the world’s leading propulsion systems for space, hypersonic applications, and missile systems. Our products and technologies require an extraordinary team – a team that will mold tomorrow’s technologies while deploying today’s best. We are an intrinsically motivated team that has a passion for solving problems and empowering each other every day to develop our skills, knowing that there is always room for growth.
Why Work With Us
We believe that each unique team member fuels the creativity necessary to build the world’s best propulsion systems. This is realized as a deeply held commitment to celebrating individuality, hiring talent across all backgrounds and experiences, building a culture of inclusion, and constantly challenging ourselves to improve.
Gallery
Ursa Major Offices
OnSite Workspace
Most employees work on-site with some positions allowing hybrid and/or remote work.
