National Radio Astronomy Observatory
Title: Contracts Specialist, Sr.
Location: 5651 Balloon Fiesta Pkwy, Albuquerque, NM 87113, USA
Requisition Number: 288
Job Family: Contracts, Grants, and Procurement
Pay Type: Salary
Required Education: ADM
Position Descriptio n: Position Summary The National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) is a prestigious research and development organization that plays a vital role in the study of the universe. Associated Universities, Inc. (AUI) is a nonprofit organization that manages and operates the NRAO under a cooperative agreement with the National Science Foundation. The Observatory is a hub for technological and scientific collaboration, operating state-of-the-art radio telescope facilities for use by the international scientific community. The Observatory has been instrumental in the study of black holes, galaxies, and the early universe.
The National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO), managed by Associated Universities, Inc. (AUI), is seeking an experienced Senior Contracts Specialist, Major Acquisitions to lead complex, high-value procurements supporting NRAO scientific, engineering, construction, and major capital programs. The successful candidate will initially serve as the lead contracts professional for the High Resolution Subarray antenna procurement and will play a significant role in future Next Generation Very Large Array construction acquisitions, including procurements exceeding $100 million. This is a senior individual contributor role, not primarily a transactional purchasing position. The Senior Contracts Specialist will provide acquisition leadership from planning through closeout, establish contracting strategies, identify weaknesses in acquisition approaches and documentation, guide multidisciplinary teams in developing defensible procurement records, and prepare executive and external review-quality acquisition documentation. The position reports to the Contracts and Procurement Manager, who retains contracting and signature authority.
The position is based at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory offices in Albuquerque, NM.
What You Will be Doing - Develop and critically assess acquisition strategies addressing competition, technical complexity, schedule, contract type, cost, intellectual property and data rights, manufacturing readiness, supplier capacity, supply chain risk, production transition, funding, and program objectives; identify unsupported assumptions or evidentiary gaps and coordinate their resolution.
- Develop defensible acquisition documentation, including sole source and limited competition justifications, suitable for review by NRAO leadership, AUI, NSF, auditors, oversight organizations, and other external stakeholders.
- Conduct cost and price analysis, evaluate contractor proposals and bases of estimate, analyze major cost drivers, develop negotiation positions, support complex negotiations, and document price reasonableness.
- Draft, negotiate, and administer complex contractual instruments and apply Uniform Guidance, NSF requirements, AUI/NRAO policies and procedures, and other applicable Federal procurement standards throughout the acquisition lifecycle.
- Lead the contracting workstream for complex and high-value acquisitions from acquisition planning through award, administration, and closeout.
- Serve as a trusted acquisition advisor to project teams, technical staff, Finance, Legal, senior management, sponsors, and external stakeholders.
Work Environment Work is mission driven, team oriented and typically performed in an office setting within a research or development environment. The position is based at NRAO offices in Albuquerque, New Mexico, with periodic domestic and international travel to NRAO sites, vendor facilities, sponsor meetings, negotiations, and project locations.
Who You Are: Education - Bachelor's degree in business, finance, supply chain, contracts or acquisition management, law, engineering, public administration, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of relevant education and substantial directly related experience
Experience - Three years of experience in purchasing or a related field.
- Demonstrated experience independently leading complex competitive and noncompetitive acquisitions from strategy through award and administration, including preparation of executive quality acquisition plans, source selection documentation, justifications and approvals, negotiation memoranda, and award recommendations.
- Demonstrated experience conducting detailed cost or price analysis, evaluating contractor bases of estimate, developing negotiation positions, and supporting complex negotiations.
- Demonstrated knowledge and practical application of Federal procurement requirements and acquisition principles, including Uniform Guidance and familiarity with FAR based acquisition practices.
Preferred Qualifications - Experience with major scientific, aerospace, defense, research and development, construction, advanced manufacturing, antenna, observatory, or other complex engineered system acquisitions, including major system production transition, manufacturing readiness, supplier qualification, supply chain risk, intellectual property, or technical data rights.
- Experience supporting procurements for Federal agencies, Federal contractors, FFRDCs, major research facilities, cooperative agreement recipients, universities, or nonprofit research organizations
- FAC C, DAWIA Contracting, NCMA CPCM, CFCM, or comparable professional certification.
Skills and Competencies - Strong analytical judgment and written communication skills, including the ability to identify weaknesses in complex acquisition strategies, translate technical requirements into contractual approaches, and produce concise, defensible acquisition documentation.
Additional Requirement Must be authorized to work in the United States, able to travel domestically and internationally as required, and comply with applicable AUI/NRAO safety, procurement integrity, conflict of interest, and information security requirements.
Total Rewards: Compensation The starting salary of this position is between $87,000 and $106,000. Factors which may affect starting pay within this range may include; education, experience, skills, competencies, other qualifications of the successful candidate, as well as internal equity and labor market conditions.
Benefits: Associated Universities, Inc (AUI) offers a comprehensive benefits package addressing the needs of employees and their families with most benefits beginning on the first day of employment, subject to eligibility requirements. AUI provides:
- Excellent paid time off (13 holidays, annual accrual of up to 24 vacation days)
- Medical, dental and vision plans are effective on the first day of employment.
- AUI's retirement benefit contributes an amount equal to 10 percent of a qualified participant's base pay with no required employee contribution.
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Application Instructions: Select the "Apply" button above. Please be prepared to upload your current CV/Resume and a cover letter describing interest and suitability for the position .
Equal Opportunity Employer Statement: AUI is an equal opportunity employer. To view our complete statement, please visit . If you require reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, you may submit your request by sending an email to . PM20
Compensation details: 87000-106000 Yearly Salary
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