USG Contracts Manager

About Nominal

Engineers today are building some of the most ambitious machines humanity has ever seen. They should have AI that's purpose-built for them.

Nominal is building the Hardware Intelligence Platform that gives engineers increased visibility into complex physical systems, helps them make better decisions, and ultimately gets their products into the real world faster. It brings together the systems, data, intelligence, and applications hardware engineering requires to meet the AI moment. Hardware engineering teams use Nominal to simulate, test, manufacture, and operate the physical systems that keep the world moving, from spacecraft and autonomous vehicles to next-generation energy systems and robotics.

Our customers span aerospace, defense, manufacturing, transportation, energy, and robotics. They include Anduril, Shield AI, Wisk Aero, Pratt Miller Motorsports, Antares, and Shinkei Systems, amongst others, alongside programs within the U.S. Air Force and Navy. Our team draws from SpaceX, Palantir, Anduril, Applied Intuition, Tesla, and other leading companies, united by a common mission: giving hardware engineers the tools to build the future with speed, safety, and confidence. Were a fast-moving team that owns problems end-to-end, works across disciplines, and thrives at the intersection of hardware and software.

Some of the world's leading technology investors, including Sequoia, Lightspeed, Founders Fund, General Catalyst, Lux Capital, and Insight Partners, are backing Nominal's ambition to change how machines are built and operated.

About the role

Nominals Legal team supports our work with the U.S. Government (USG), including mission partners in the Navy and Air Force. As our government business grows, so do the volume and complexity of the contracts behind it. As a USG Contracts Manager, youll own government contract actions from solicitation review through award and modification, working closely with our attorneys, our Government team, and customers.

This role is ideal for a contracts professional, especially a former USG contracting officer or specialist, who knows how the government buys software and wants to help a fast-growing technology company do it well. Youll own contract actions end to end and decide how to get them done, with goals set together with Legal leadership.

What Youll Do

• Own USG contract actions end to end, from solicitation review and terms negotiation to award, modifications, and closeout.
• Review solicitations and contracts for FAR, DFARS, and agency-specific clauses, data rights, and export control terms, and flag risks with clear recommendations.
• Support proposal teams on contract terms, representations and certifications, and compliance requirements in government bids.
• Work directly with contracting officers and customer program offices where appropriate to resolve contract questions and keep awards on schedule.
• Partner with our attorneys and Government team to support Nominals commerciality positions, such as commercial item and commercial software determinations.
• Maintain contract records, deliverables, reporting obligations, and key dates so nothing is missed after award.
• Improve how USG contracting runs at Nominal through better templates, legal tech automations, and metrics.

Were looking for someone with

• Experience negotiating and administering U.S. Government contracts, either as a government contracting officer or specialist or at a government contractor, preferably a venture-backed technology company.
• Working knowledge of the FAR and DFARS, including commercial item acquisition (FAR Part 12) and data rights.
• Experience with a range of contract vehicles, such as FAR-based contracts, Other Transaction (OT) agreements, and SBIR/STTR awards.
• A track record of owning contract actions end to end and resolving non-routine issues on your own.
• Strong organization and attention to detail across many active contracts and deadlines.
• Clear written communication with contracting officers, program teams, and internal partners.

Skills that accelerate us

• Prior experience as a warranted contracting officer at a Department of Defense (DoD) or Intelligence Community (IC) acquisition organization.
• Experience building legal tech automations, AI workflows, and contract metrics.
• An NCMA certification (such as CFCM or CPCM) or DAWIA/DAU contracting certification.
• Familiarity with export controls (ITAR and EAR) and Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) requirements.

Benefits/Perks

• 100% coverage of medical, dental, and vision insurance
• ️ Unlimited PTO and sick leave
• ️ Free lunch, snacks, and coffee
• Professional Development Stipend
• ️ Annual company retreat

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin.

ITAR Requirements

To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.