Director of Contracts

Turning Space into a Transportation Layer for Earth Who We Are: Inversion builds advanced reentry systems to deliver next-generation capabilities from space. Our mission is to make Earth radically more accessible by turning Low-Earth Orbit into an on-demand logistics domain. We see space not as a destination, but as a platform — one that unlocks unprecedented speed and global reach. Our spacecraft are designed to deliver payloads anywhere on Earth in under an hour, operating through extreme reentry conditions and landing with high precision. These systems open the door to new ways of testing, delivering, and operating at hypersonic speeds. Inherently dual-use, our technology is built to meet urgent national security needs while laying the groundwork for future commercial applications. Backed by leading investors including Y Combinator, Spark Capital, and Lockheed Martin Ventures, and working with partners such as the U.S. Space Force and NASA, Inversion is pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in space-based defense and logistics. Position Overview: 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. Key Responsibilities: 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 Why Join Us 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 Required Qualifications: 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 Desired Qualifications: 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 $180,000- 230,000   Pay Grades are determined by role, level, location, and alignment with market data.  Individual pay will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: interviews and an assessment of several factors that are unique to each candidate, job-related skills, relevant education and experience, certifications, abilities of the candidate and internal equity. ITAR Compliance: To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here . Equal Employment Opportunity: Inversion provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, veteran status, or disability. Inversion collects and processes personal data in accordance with applicable data protection laws. If you are a US Job Applicant see the CCPA Privacy Policy Notice for further details.

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