Principal Subcontracts Administrator

The Giant Magellan Telescope is the most powerful ground-based telescope ever engineered. It was designed to push the boundaries of human knowledge and discover the unknown. With unmatched image quality, seven of the world’s largest mirrors will launch our view into the universe to uncover the cosmic mysteries of dark matter, investigate the origins of chemical elements, and search for signs of life on distant exoplanets for the first time.

The 30-meter class telescope is under construction at Las Campanas Observatory in Chile’s Atacama Desert, one of the best locations on Earth to view the heavens. From this unrivaled vantage into the southern sky, the Giant Magellan Telescope will produce the sharpest and most detailed images ever taken of our universe.

When complete in the early 2030s, the Giant Magellan Telescope will be the largest public-private funded science project in history. The endeavor was founded by an international consortium of 15 research institutions representing Australia, Brazil, Chile, Israel, South Korea, Taiwan, and the United States, and is managed by the GMTO Corporation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Pasadena, California. Our culture is impactful, inclusive, and fearlessly innovative. We solve the most difficult engineering challenges and scientific questions with talented individuals who share a passion for revolutionizing humanity’s knowledge of the universe.

We invite you to join our team and leave your mark on astronomy’s future and beyond.

The Universe Awaits™

Contracts and Procurement

Contracts Officer

As a recognized expert in contracts and procurement, works independently and exercises a high degree of independent judgment reporting to the Contracts Officer, the Principal Contracts Administrator will manage the contract formation and execution processes for the largest and most complex contracts that GMTO enters.

The Principal Contracts Administrator partners closely with GMT Technical Managers to lead the acquisition of large, complex, and high-value goods and services. This role ensures that all procurements and contracts are executed on schedule, aligned with the defined scope of work, awarded to qualified domestic and international suppliers, delivered within budget, and fully compliant with GMTO policies, federal funding requirements, and applicable laws and regulations. The successful candidate will lead the bidding and proposal process and assist in the evaluation and selection of suppliers and contractors to provide engineering services, construction services, and complex, high value engineered equipment and components.

• Design and implement procurement strategies for large-scale, complex procurements; negotiate pricing and obtain best value for the Project; comply with all legal requirements and regulatory deadlines.
• Administer the proposal solicitation process, including identification of need, specification/scope development, RFP/RFQ drafting/issuance, receipt and analysis of bid/proposal responses, supplier selection contract negotiation, recommendation for award, award notice, contract execution, and post award contract management.
• Negotiate, administer, modify, and terminate standard and nonstandard contracts.
• Prepare and manage RFx events, competitive tenders, site-walks, commercial evaluations, contract awards, and maintenance for direct projects expenses (e.g., capital equipment, construction/engineering materials, subcontractors, and subconsultants).
• Negotiate, prepare, execute, facilitate framework agreements, teaming agreements, and subcontracts.
• Communicate effectively, resolve conflicts, solve problems, and make efficient and effective supply management decisions.
• Assist in the preparation of client approval packages prior to award.
• Escalate contract and insurance exceptions Legal and Contracts Officer.
• Maintain and provide accurate and effective documentation and records management in compliance with internal and external regulations.
• Support the resolution of supplier disputes.
• Provide oversight and guidance to junior contracts staff, serving as an escalation point for complex negotiations and disputes.
• Coordinate planning, shipment and/or storage with forwarding agents.
• Process purchasing-related information (bid documents, tabulations, requisitions, electronic procurement, statements of work, purchase order or contract terms.) update and distribute information in response to inquiries from a variety of internal and external sources.
• Maintain purchasing information, files and records (e.g., RFQs, RFPs, purchase orders, contracts, vendor files, etc.) in compliance with company policies.
• Advise project leadership on contract risk management, developing mitigation strategies for high-value, international, and federally funded procurements.
•  Monitor and support returns, damage replacements and warranty claims.
• Review and resolve any discrepancies with supplier invoices, claims, conflicts, product non-conformance or quality issues.
• Other tasks as assigned by the Contracts Officer.

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration or supply chain management
• Minimum of 15 or more years of domestic and/or international commercial and federal contracting experience focusing on architect, engineering, design and construction contracts.
• Certified Professional Contracts Manager (CPCM), Certified Professional Supply Management (CPSM), or other relevant professional certification.
• Extensive experience managing large, complex, high-value contracts (>$50M) in engineering, construction, or federally funded research environments.
• Proven experience leading negotiation teams, mentoring contract administrators, and shaping
  organizational procurement strategies.
• Confident in presenting to senior business leaders and external clients.
• Deep understanding of contracting terms, measures, concepts, principles, and strategies.
• Understanding of engineering and/or construction industry contracting processes and procedures with hands-on experience in procurement and logistics.
• Proficient using, navigating, and reporting through standard ERP software (e.g., ReqLogic, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics SL or similar) and MS Office products (Word, Excel, Power Point)
• Able to effectively communicate contracting solutions and concepts to stakeholders.
• Excellent time management and communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple concurrent tasks, work under pressure with challenging deadlines while delivering high quality results.
• Strong analytic, quantitative, problem-solving, and project management skills.
• Team player with strong ethics and legal orientation.

• Aerospace, Engineering or Operations backgrounds are preferred.
• Experience with Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), export regulations and ITAR.
• Experience with government grants, particularly the National Science Foundation

• No special working conditions.
• Remote work is possible. Working from Pasadena office once or twice a week is desired.

No special physical requirements.

No direct reports

• Medical insurance
• Vision insurance
• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Disability insurance

$145,000- $175,000

The salary for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, experience, education, and training.

To apply send your resume or CV and a cover letter to careers@gmto.org.

If your skills and experience are a match for the position or if we need additional information, we will contact you. If we do not see a suitable match between your qualifications and the position, we will keep your information on file in the event future positions become available that are more suitable to your qualifications.

We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you have the right to request an accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access our career center as a result of your disability. To request an accommodation, contact a Giant Magellan Telescope Corporation Human Resources Representative.