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Senior Contracts Manager
USD 150k-165k / year
Posted on Sep 17, 2026
Cellula Robotics is a world-leading developer of long-duration autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), subsea energy systems, and marine autonomy solutions serving commercial, scientific, and defense customers worldwide. Operating across Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom, Cellula is delivering advanced autonomous maritime capabilities to government and commercial clients while expanding rapidly into international defense markets. Our growth strategy includes significant expansion in the U.S. defense sector alongside continued global commercial opportunities.
The Contracts Manager will be responsible for the full lifecycle management of customer, partner, subcontractor, supplier, and government contracts across Cellula's international operations.
The successful candidate will serve as the company's internal subject matter expert for contract review, negotiation, risk assessment, contractual compliance, and contract administration. They will work closely with Business Development, Program Management, Engineering, Finance, Supply Chain, Legal Counsel, and Executive Leadership to ensure Cellula's contractual obligations are effectively managed while enabling continued business growth.
This role requires experience supporting defense, government, and technology contracts and ideally familiarity with contracting frameworks in:
- Canada
- United States
- United Kingdom
Experience with defense procurement and export-controlled technologies is highly desirable.
Key Responsibilities
Contract Management & Negotiation
- Lead review, negotiation, and administration of customer, supplier, teaming, subcontract, NDA, and partnership agreements.
- Support proposal reviews and commercial risk assessments prior to bid submission.
- Negotiate contract terms with government agencies, prime contractors, commercial customers, and international partners.
- Develop and maintain standardized commercial templates and contracting playbooks.
- Manage contractual correspondence, amendments, modifications, claims, and change orders.
- Ensure contractual obligations are communicated and flowed down to internal stakeholders.
Defense & Government Contracting
- Support opportunities involving:
- U.S. Department of Defense
- Canadian Department of NationalDefence
- U.K. Ministry ofDefence
- NATO and allied government customers
- Reviewsolicitation requirements and contracting clauses.
- Assessand manage subcontract and prime contract flow-down requirements.
- Support compliance with government procurement rules and defense contracting requirements.
- Advise internal teams on contract performance risks and obligations.
Contract Risk Management
- Conductcontractrisk reviews during capture, proposal, negotiation, award, and execution phases.
- Identify risks associated with:
- Intellectual property
- Warranties
- Indemnification
- Limitation of liability
- Export controls
- Insurance requirements
- Cybersecurity requirements
- Security obligations
- Prepare risk assessments and recommendations for executive review.
- Participate in bid/no-bid and management review processes.
Contract Administration
- Track contractual deliverables, milestones, notices, and obligations.
- Support contract change management throughout project execution.
- Monitor customer and subcontractor performance requirements.
- Assist Program Managers with contractual interpretation and dispute resolution.
- Ensure contract files and records are maintained in accordance with company procedures.
Export Compliance Support
- Partner with Cellula's Export Compliance Lead and Legal Counsel to ensure contracting activities align with export control requirements.
- Review contract clauses relating to:
- ITAR
- EAR
- Canadian EIPA/ECL requirements
- UK Export Control legislation
- Controlled technical data
- Technology transfer restrictions
- Assist in identifying contract provisions that could create export licensing, reporting, or disclosure obligations.
- Support implementation of export-compliance-relatedcontract managementprocesses.
Process Development
- Develop and maintain:
- Contract review procedures
- Negotiation playbooks
- Standard templates
- Risk assessment frameworks
- Contract approval workflows
- Support continuous improvement of Cellula's contracting and commercial governance processes.
Required Qualifications
Education
- Bachelor's degree in Business, Commerce, Law, Engineering, Public Administration,International Trade,or related field.
- Advanced degree or legal training is considered an asset.
Experience
- 7+ years of commercial, contracts, procurement, or legal support experience.
- Experience supporting defense, aerospace, maritime, robotics, autonomy, or technology organizations.
- Demonstrated experience negotiating complex government and commercial contracts.
- Experience supporting multinational business operations.
Knowledge & Expertise
Strong working knowledge of:
- Government and commercial contracting practices.
- Contract negotiation and risk allocation principles.
- Intellectual property ownership and licensing concepts.
- International subcontracting arrangements.
- Commercial law fundamentals.
Experience with one or more of the following is strongly preferred:
- U.S. FAR (Federal Acquisition Regulation)
- DFARS (Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement)
- Canadian federal government procurement
- Canadian defense procurement
- U.K. public procurement regulations
- U.K. Ministry ofDefencecontracting frameworks
Preferred Qualifications
Candidates possessing several of the following qualifications will be highly regarded:
- Experience supporting U.S. Department of Defense programs.
- Experience supporting NATO or Five Eyes defense projects.
- Experience with export controls and technology transfer regulations.
- Familiarity with:
- ITAR
- EAR
- Canadian Export and Import Permits Act (EIPA)
- Canadian Export Control List (ECL)
- U.K. Export Control Order and related regulations
- Experience with security requirements, controlled information, or classified contracts.
- Contract management certification (NCMA,WorldCC/IACCM, CPCM, CFCM or equivalent).
- Experience within an engineering-driven or project-based manufacturing environment.
Key Competencies
- Exceptional negotiation skills
- Commercial risk management
- Strong business acumen
- Attention to detail
- Executive-level communication skills
- Cross-functional collaboration
- Ability to balance growth objectives against contractual and regulatory risk
- Ability to operate effectively in a fast-growing technology company
Success in the First 12 Months
The successful candidate will:
- Take ownership of thecontract review and approval process.
- Create standard contract templates and negotiation playbooks.
- Improve visibility of contractual risks across active programs.
- Support Cellula's growth in U.S., Canadian, U.K., and otherdefense markets.
- Integrate export compliance considerations into contracting activities.
- Reduce contract review cycle times while improving contractual governance.
- Become the trusted internal advisor for contractual and commercial matters.
Compensation
Competitive base salary, annual performance bonus, benefits package, professional development support, and participation in Cellula's long-term growth strategy.
For individuals based in Virginia or Washington, DC, a salary range of $150,000 - $165,000 is considered
Location: United States (preference for Houston or Washington, DC area) or United Kingdom (Hybrid/Remote Considered)
Reports To: Chief Operating Officer
Travel: Up to 10-25% internationally
Why Join Cellula?
This is a unique opportunity to build the contracts function within one of the fastest-growing marine autonomy companies in the world. You will have direct influence on international defense, energy, and technology programs while helping shape the commercial and contractual foundations of a rapidly expanding global business.