---
title: 'Senior Manager, Commercial Contracts at Neon Aerospace'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/senior-manager-commercial-contracts-neon-aerospace-irvine-s73ccp1wdpc6'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-10'
---

# Senior Manager, Commercial Contracts at Neon Aerospace

- **Company:** Neon Aerospace
- **Location:** Irvine, CA
- **Compensation:** $150k–$250k
- **Posted:** 2026-06-17
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-10
- **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/neonaerospace/jobs/4278853009

## Job description

Aerospace is at a turning point — costs are rising, supply chains are strained, and old ways of building can’t keep up. At Neon Aero, we’re breaking that mold. We move fast, think big, and combine start-up agility with aerospace expertise to design, build, and scale aircraft in ways the industry has never seen. Our team leverages automation, AI-driven tools, and a fully connected digital backbone to accelerate innovation and reduce barriers to production.

Here, you won’t just take a job — you’ll help reinvent how the world flies. If you’re ready to solve complex problems, push technology further, and work alongside some of the brightest minds in aerospace, this is your chance to make a real impact.

We are looking for an experienced Commercial Contracts Manager to support a rapidly growing aerospace company in California. In this role, you will lead complex commercial contracting work while also advising on broader corporate and strategic matters. You will partner closely with cross-functional teams and leadership to help the business move quickly, manage risk, and build scalable legal processes in a high-growth startup environment.

## Why This Role Matters

- You will play a central role in shaping and negotiating the agreements that support core business operations, strategic partnerships, and company growth.
- You will help leadership and cross-functional teams make practical, well-informed decisions by translating legal complexity into clear business guidance.
- You will support important corporate activities, including governance, financing-related matters, and strategic transactions.
- You will help strengthen internal legal infrastructure by improving templates, playbooks, and contracting processes that allow the company to scale effectively.
- You will operate in a fast-paced, project-driven environment where priorities can shift quickly based on business needs and transaction timelines.
- You will work in a hybrid setting with regular collaboration across commercial, operational, and strategic initiatives.

What You’ll Bring

- Minimum of 5 years of post-qualification legal experience, preferably combining law firm and in-house experience.
- Significant experience drafting, reviewing, and negotiating complex commercial agreements.
- Strong understanding of corporate legal matters, including governance, financing, and strategic transactions.
- Ability to provide practical, business-oriented legal advice while managing legal and commercial risk.
- Excellent negotiation, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
- Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities, and operate with limited supervision.
- Strong commercial judgment and a pragmatic, solutions-oriented approach.
- Comfortable working in ambiguity and fast-moving startup environments.
- Ability to handle confidential, privileged, and sensitive information with sound judgment and professionalism.
- Prolonged periods sitting and working on a computer.
- Ability to participate in meetings, negotiations, and cross-functional discussions.
- Must be legally authorized to work in the United States.
- May support matters involving ITAR-regulated, export-controlled, confidential, or otherwise sensitive business information.

## Preferred

- Experience supporting aerospace, aviation, space, defense, advanced manufacturing, technology, or engineering-focused businesses.
- J.D. from an accredited law school
- Actie membership in at least one U.S. state bar.
- Familiarity with California business practices and employment-related considerations.
- Experience supporting venture-backed companies and fundraising activities.
- Exposure to government contracting, export controls, or related regulatory matters.

## Why Join Us

- Work alongside elite engineering talent and innovators from across aerospace and tech.
- Be part of a team moving faster than the industry standard.
- Shape solutions that are lower-cost, autonomous, and scalable - the future of aviation.
- Competitive compensation, including equity participation, growth opportunities, and full health benefits (health, vision, dental, 401(k)) designed to support you in and out of work.

This is the expected compensation range for this role. Final compensation will be based on role scope, experience, skills, internal equity and location. This role may also be eligible for bonus/equity/benefits, if applicable. $150,000—$250,000 USD

Neon Aero, Inc is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable law.

We believe that diverse perspectives drive innovation, and we welcome candidates from all backgrounds to apply.

All final candidates must successfully complete a background check and drug screening as a condition of employment.

At this time, Neon Aero and its divisions are not accepting unsolicited resumes from third-party recruiters or staffing agencies.

## About Neon Aerospace

## Core Business
- Primary industry/industries: Aerospace & Defense, Advanced Manufacturing
- Target customers: B2B – aerospace OEMs, defense contractors, and emerging air vehicle developers (electric, supersonic, hypersonic, space, AI-powered platforms)
- Mission or purpose statement: “Push the boundaries of flight” by uniting electrical, software, and mechanical expertise with trusted partnerships and an unwavering commitment to engineering excellence.

## Products & Services
- **Propellers & Rotors**: Lightweight, high-performance composite propellers and rotors for commercial and defense applications, designed using AI-driven tools and certified to DO-160, DO-178, and DO-254 standards.
- **Actuators**: Linear actuators and electromechanical actuation systems for positioning, propulsion, and environmental control.
- **Engineering Services**: Full lifecycle support – conceptual design, aerodynamic/vibratory prediction, loads analysis, structural design, tooling, composite fabrication, assembly, ground/flight test, and regulatory compliance.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not publicly disclosed (Post-Series A)
- **Key Metric**: Total Funding – $38.5M (Series A, August 2025)
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: Lockheed Martin Ventures (lead investor, corporate venture capital)
- **Growth Signals**: 
  - Raised $38.5M in Series A within months of founding
  - Actively hiring across multiple engineering disciplines (14 open positions as of mid-2026)
  - Operating from three locations: Santa Clara, CA (HQ); Irvine, CA; Manchester, CT
  - Building a Tier-1 U.S. supplier position with a backlog of commercial and defense programs

## Competitive Advantages
- **Regulatory Expertise**: All products are built for aviation and fully meet DO-160, DO-178, and DO-254 certification standards – a critical moat in aerospace.
- **AI-Driven Design**: Proprietary AI tools automate repetitive work, generate design options, and improve with each cycle, producing lighter, stronger, and more affordable products.
- **Startup Agility**: Combines Silicon Valley speed with deep aerospace experience, compressing development timelines and reducing costs without compromising safety.
- **Elite Team**: Leadership includes veterans from Archer, Bell Flight, Bombardier, Supernal, and Google X, bringing proven track records in certifying aircraft and scaling production.

## Strategic Focus
- Scale production capacity for next-generation aircraft programs (electric, supersonic, hypersonic, defense).
- Deepen partnerships with major OEMs and defense primes (e.g., Lockheed Martin).
- Continue investing in AI-driven design and digital backbone to accelerate innovation and reduce barriers to production.
- Expand into new verticals including advanced mobility, robotics, and autonomous systems.

## Why Work Here
- **Culture**: Startup environment that attracts “rare engineering talent” with both regulatory expertise and a drive for rapid innovation. Core values include transparency, challenging convention, moving fast while staying safe, and pursuing excellence.
- **Work Model**: Hybrid – roles are based in Irvine, CA and Manchester, CT. No fully remote positions listed; onsite presence expected for hands-on hardware development.
- **Compensation & Benefits**: Competitive base salary (e.g., Mechanical Engineer range $110,000–$123,750 USD), equity participation, full health/vision/dental benefits, 401K, and growth opportunities.
- **Team**: Work alongside engineers from Archer, Bell, Bombardier, and other top aerospace firms on real hardware that goes from concept to production.
- **Impact**: Directly contribute to shaping the future of aviation with lower-cost, autonomous, and scalable solutions.

## Sources
1. [neon.aero](https://www.neon.aero/)
2. [PitchBook](https://pitchbook.com/profiles/company/1083536-38)
3. [Greenhouse Job Board](https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/neonaerospace)
4. [MapQuest](https://www.mapquest.com/us/california/neon-aero-inc-799118505)
5. [Greenhouse – Mechanical Engineer Job Posting](https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/neonaerospace/jobs/4241556009)

## Other roles at Neon Aerospace

- [Talent Acquisition Specialist](https://feeny.ai/job/talent-acquisition-specialist-neon-aerospace-irvine-xbz5ph2m183j) — Irvine, CA
- [Director of Electrical Engineering](https://feeny.ai/job/director-of-electrical-engineering-neon-aerospace-irvine-x0krwhahz592) — Irvine, CA
- [Director of Mechanical Engineering](https://feeny.ai/job/director-of-mechanical-engineering-neon-aerospace-irvine-30e7xy50kv82) — Irvine, CA
- [Sr. Electrical Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/sr-electrical-engineer-neon-aerospace-irvine-mf18gxm679dh) — Irvine, CA
- [Sr. Mechanical Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/sr-mechanical-engineer-neon-aerospace-irvine-1z13de8hyz8c) — Irvine, CA
- [Senior Embedded Platform Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-embedded-platform-engineer-neon-aerospace-irvine-ye82z9m68xrf) — Irvine, CA
- [Mechanical Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/mechanical-engineer-neon-aerospace-irvine-1twahx86z7yj) — Irvine, CA
- [Senior Engineer, Propellers](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-engineer-propellers-neon-aerospace-manchester-connecticut-wt79pq2zbazs) — Manchester Connecticut, United States
- [Senior Embedded Systems Software Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-embedded-systems-software-engineer-neon-aerospace-irvine-nfp2hyyatd2q) — Irvine, CA
- [Senior Motor Control Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-motor-control-engineer-neon-aerospace-irvine-6whhxpwh46z1) — Irvine, CA