Senior Commercial Contracts Manager

Job Description

Job DescriptionSaronic Technologies is a leader in revolutionizing autonomy at sea, dedicated to developing state-of-the-art solutions that enhance maritime operations through autonomous and intelligent platforms.
The Senior Commercial Contracts Manager will play a critical role in supporting the company’s commercial and operational functions by leading the review, negotiation, and lifecycle management of a wide range of non-sales agreements. This role partners closely with internal stakeholders across Finance, Accounting, IT, Supply Chain, Human Resources, Operations, and Engineering to enable efficient business execution while managing legal, financial, and regulatory risk.
The ideal candidate brings deep experience in commercial contracting, strong familiarity with SAS-related services and audit support environments, and a demonstrated ability to operate effectively in government-facing or defense-adjacent organizations. Experience with Navy, maritime, or shipbuilding programs is preferred. Key Responsibilities:

• Commercial Contracting & Negotiation
• Draft, review, and negotiate a broad range of commercial agreements, including professional services, advisory, IT, software, SaaS, cloud, vendor, procurement, NDAs, statements of work, and amendments.
• Support negotiations with third-party vendors, consultants, and service providers to achieve commercially favorable outcomes aligned with company risk tolerance.
• Cross-Functional Legal & Business Support
• Serve as a trusted contracts partner to internal departments including Finance, Accounting, IT, Security, Software, Growth, and HR.
• Advise stakeholders on contract structure, risk allocation, compliance obligations, and business terms.
• Support Finance and Accounting teams with contracts related to SAS examinations, internal controls, financial systems, and audit readiness.
• Government & Defense-Adjacent Contracting
• Apply knowledge of government contracting principles to commercial agreements that support government or defense programs.
• Identify and manage data rights, cybersecurity, and confidentiality obligations relevant to business-to-business engagements.
• Support Navy, maritime, or shipbuilding-related programs by reviewing vendor and services agreements tied to naval platforms, systems, and operations.
• Contract Lifecycle Management & Process Improvement
• Manage contracts through their full lifecycle, from intake and negotiation through execution, renewal, and close-out.
• Develop and maintain contract templates, clause libraries, negotiation playbooks, and approval workflows.
• Partner with Legal Team to standardize contracting practices and improve efficiency, scalability, and auditability.
• Risk Management & Compliance
• Identify contractual risks related to liability, indemnification, data protection, intellectual property, regulatory compliance, and government oversight.
• Ensure agreements align with internal policies, compliance frameworks, and applicable laws and regulations.
• Support internal audits, compliance reviews, and process documentation efforts as needed.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree or contracts management/paralegal certification a plus.
• 8+ years of experience in commercial contracts management, preferably in-house.
• Demonstrated experience supporting a wide range of corporate departments (Finance, Accounting, IT, Operations, etc.).
• Strong familiarity with SAS-related services, audit environments, and internal controls frameworks.
• Proven experience drafting and negotiating complex commercial agreements.
• Excellent organizational, communication, and negotiation skills.
• Ability to operate independently and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with government contracts or government-facing commercial agreements.
• Familiarity with FAR/DFARS concepts, flow-downs, and compliance considerations.
• Prior experience supporting Navy, maritime, shipbuilding, or defense programs.
• Experience in aerospace, defense, maritime, or other regulated industries.
• Familiarity with contract lifecycle management (CLM) tools and process automation.

Physical Demands:

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Occasional standing and walking within the office.
• Manual dexterity to operate a computer keyboard, mouse, and other office equipment.
• Visual acuity to read screens, documents, and reports.
• Occasional reaching, bending, or stooping to access file drawers, cabinets, or office supplies.
• Lifting and carrying items up to 20 pounds occasionally (e.g., office supplies, packages).

Benefits:Medical Insurance: Comprehensive health insurance plans covering a range of servicesSaronic pays 100% of the premium for employees and 80% for dependentsDental and Vision Insurance: Coverage for routine dental check-ups, orthodontics, and vision careSaronic pays 100% of the premium under the basic plan for employees and 80% for dependentsTime Off: Generous PTO and HolidaysParental Leave: Paid maternity and paternity leave to support new parentsCompetitive Salary: Industry-standard salaries with opportunities for performance-based bonusesRetirement Plan: 401(k) plan with company matchStock Options: Equity options to give employees a stake in the company’s successLife and Disability Insurance: Basic life insurance and short- and long-term disability coveragePet Insurance: Discounted pet insurance options including 24/7 Telehealth helplineAdditional Perks: Free lunch benefit and unlimited free drinks and snacks in the office

This role requires access to export-controlled information or items that require “U.S. Person” status. As defined by U.S. law, individuals who are any one of the following are considered to be a “U.S. Person”: (1) U.S. citizens, (2) legal permanent residents (a.k.a. green card holders), and (3) certain protected classes of asylees and refugees, as defined in 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3).
Saronic does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, religion, age, national origin, marital status, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other reason prohibited by law in provision of employment opportunities and benefits.