Contracts Manager Jobs in California

Contracts Manager jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in defense and aerospace, technology, construction, healthcare, and state and local government contracting across seniority levels from entry-level contracts administrator through senior contracts manager and director. Los Angeles, San Diego, and the San Francisco Bay Area account for the largest share of openings, with major employers such as Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin, and Kaiser Permanente maintaining deep contracts management functions across the state. The most in-demand specialties are government and federal contracts, construction contracts, and technology and software licensing agreements. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

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Overview

Open roles63
Top employerNASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Top citySan Francisco, CA
Cities hiring38
Work type48% Hybrid
Top industryConsulting

Showing 5 of 63+ Contracts Manager jobs

Supply Chain Contracts Manager
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Added 2d ago
Supply Chain Contracts Manager
IREN
San Francisco, California
Project & Program Management
Solutions Engineering & Architecture
Technical Program Management
$190k - $240k/yr
Hybrid
Bachelor's degree in finance
201-500

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Contracts Manager, GTM
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Added 3d ago
Contracts Manager, GTM
Anthropic
San Francisco, California
Account Management
Customer Success
Partnerships & Business Development
$135k - $170k/yr
Hybrid
Bachelor's degree
51-200

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Senior Manager, Contracts & Procurement
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Added 3d ago
Senior Manager, Contracts & Procurement
SCRRA/Metrolink
Los Angeles, California
Data Science
Healthcare Administration
IT Support
$119k - $185k/yr
Remote (US)
Bachelor's degree in business

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Contracts Manager (Non-profit government grants)
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Added 3d ago
Contracts Manager (Non-profit government grants)
Tri-Valley Haven
Livermore, California
Corporate Training & Learning Development
Learning & Development
Program Management
$34.25 - $42/hr
Bachelor's degree
11-50

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Contracts Manager
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Added 3d ago
Contracts Manager
REFLECTION
San Francisco, California
Business Strategy
Project Management
Strategy & Corporate Development

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See All 63 Contracts Manager Jobs in California

Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

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Contracts Manager Jobs by City in California

Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.

San Francisco
7 jobs
San Diego
6 jobs
Pasadena
5 jobs
Irvine
3 jobs
Los Angeles
3 jobs
San Jose
2 jobs
Torrance
2 jobs
El Segundo
2 jobs
Sacramento
2 jobs

Contracts Manager Job Market in California

A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory4 open roles
Whatnot2 open roles
Qualcomm2 open roles

Top Industries Hiring

  • Consulting & Professional Services
  • Retail
  • Human Resources
  • Construction & Real Estate
  • Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals

What California Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in contracts manager jobs across California.

  • Bachelor's degree in business, law, supply chain, or a related field required
  • Experience with Federal Acquisition Regulation or California public contracts preferred
  • Professional certification such as CPCM, CFCM, or CCCM strongly preferred by California employers
  • Proficiency in contract lifecycle management software such as Ariba or Icertis required
  • Demonstrated experience negotiating and administering complex commercial or government contracts
  • Strong working knowledge of California commercial code and public contracting regulations

Contracts Manager Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a contracts manager in California?

Most contracts managers in California enter the field with a bachelor's degree in business administration, supply chain management, law, or a related discipline, then build experience in contracts coordination or administration roles. California does not require a state-issued license for most contracts manager positions, but professional certifications from the National Contract Management Association, such as the Certified Federal Contracts Manager or Certified Professional Contracts Manager designation, are widely expected by defense, aerospace, and government employers throughout the state.

Which companies hire contracts managers in California?

Employers hiring contracts managers in California right now include NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Whatnot, and Qualcomm, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. California's concentration of defense primes, large health systems, and enterprise technology companies means demand for experienced contracts professionals is consistent across multiple industries statewide.

Which California cities have the most contracts manager jobs?

San Francisco, San Diego, and Pasadena account for the most contracts manager openings in California. Los Angeles and San Diego drive volume through their dense defense, aerospace, and government contracting ecosystems, with major facilities for companies like Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin, while the Bay Area generates strong demand from enterprise technology companies and large healthcare systems headquartered in the region.

Are there remote contracts manager jobs in California?

Yes, and more than many comparable roles, since contracts management is fundamentally document-driven and can be performed away from a physical site. About 72% of contracts manager openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting the role's suitability for distributed work. Contract review, negotiation coordination, and compliance monitoring are the functions most commonly performed fully remotely.

How can I get hired as a contracts manager in California with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path is securing a contracts administrator or contracts coordinator role, which large California defense and aerospace employers such as Northrop Grumman and Raytheon regularly fill with candidates who hold a relevant bachelor's degree but lack direct contracts experience. University of California and California State University graduates often move into these roles through campus recruiting programs tied to defense and technology companies. Earning an entry-level National Contract Management Association certification and gaining exposure to Federal Acquisition Regulation fundamentals through coursework gives candidates a meaningful edge with California's large government-contractor employer base.

Where can I find and apply to contracts manager jobs in California?

You can find and apply to contracts manager jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings across industries including defense, technology, healthcare, and construction. Find roles that match your experience and apply directly to each one.

See All 63 Contracts Manager Jobs in California

Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

Find Contracts Manager Jobs