Manager, Manager Commercial Contract

AESC is looking to add a Commercial Contract Manager to our team in Santa Clara, CA.

• Full-Time
• Remote/Hybrid/On-site

AESC is an exciting, newly created global organization committed to solving the challenges of a sustainable future and becoming the leading supplier of full-value-chain battery solutions. Our lithium-ion batteries can be found in nearly one million electric vehicles worldwide and have a stellar safety record of zero-critical issues. AESC US is leading the way in battery technology. We design and manufacture EV battery technology for various electric vehicles and equipment. We are working hard towards unlocking the full potential of sustainable energy and climate change mitigation. We will continue to build upon our successes and expand into new markets and industries, producing innovative and competitive products and technologies that advance the goal of a zero-carbon emission future. AESC is headquartered in Japan and has battery manufacturing locations in Japan, UK, China, and the U.S.

Our mission is to solve the challenges for a sustainable future. Together, we can make a meaningful impact.

The Commercial Contract Manager will be responsible for managing the commercial and contractual aspects of utility-scale energy storage projects, from bid stage through contract execution and project delivery. This role serves as a key interface between sales, legal, engineering, supply chain, and project execution teams to ensure contracts are commercially sound, risk-balanced, and aligned with company strategy. The ideal candidate has experience with large-scale energy or infrastructure contracts and a strong understanding of project risk, pricing, and commercial terms.

Contract Development & Negotiation

• Lead the review, drafting, and negotiation of commercial contracts for utility-scale BESS projects, including supply agreements, EPC contracts, LTSA/O&M agreements, and framework agreements.
• Support sales and business development teams during RFP, RFQ, and bid phases by reviewing commercial terms and conditions.
• Negotiate key commercial terms including pricing structures, payment milestones, liquidated damages, performance guarantees, warranties, limitations of liability, and change management provisions.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate commercial and contractual risks associated with utility-scale projects.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with legal counsel to ensure contracts comply with applicable laws, regulations, and company policies.
• Collaborate with engineering, project management, compliance team, and supply chain teams to align contract terms with technical scope, delivery schedules, and manufacturing constraints.
• Support project execution teams by interpreting contract terms, managing contractual correspondence, and resolving commercial disputes.

Contract Administration & Governance

• Maintain ownership of contracts throughout the project lifecycle, from contract signature through final acceptance and closeout.
• Manage change orders, claims, variations, and amendments in coordination with project management teams.
• Ensure compliance with contractual obligations, including milestone deliverables, documentation, and notice requirements.
• Maintain accurate contract records, risk registers, and commercial trackers.

Commercial Strategy & Risk Management

• Support the development of standard contract templates, commercial playbooks, and negotiation guidelines.
• Monitor market trends, customer contracting practices, and risk profiles in utility-scale energy storage and power infrastructure markets.
• Provide input on commercial structures, contract exhibits, and risk allocation

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Law, Engineering, Finance, or a related field; advanced degree or legal background preferred.
• 5+ years of experience in commercial contract management, contract negotiation, or commercial operations within energy, power generation, renewables, or large infrastructure projects.
• Proven experience managing high-value, long-duration contracts (multi-million-dollar projects).
• Strong understanding of project-based contracting, including EPC and equipment supply agreements.
• Ability to identify and balance commercial risk while supporting business objectives.
• Excellent negotiation, communication, and stakeholder management skills.

Preferred Skills & Knowledge

• Experience with utility-scale BESS projects, renewable energy, power electronics, or grid infrastructure.
• Familiarity with performance guarantees, availability metrics, degradation warranties, and long-term service agreements for energy storage.
• Understanding of utility and IPP contracting practices.
• Experience working across international projects and multi-jurisdictional contracts.

Proficiency with contract management systems and Microsoft Office or Google

Welcome to AESC, supporting our state-of-the-art Gigafactories, where you'll have the opportunity to tackle the world's most fascinating challenges alongside exceptionally talented individuals who are driven to make a difference. At AESC, we offer a comprehensive compensation package. In addition, we provide a range of valuable benefits, such as 401K, and health insurance. We strive to ensure that our employees are well taken care of, enabling them to focus on their work and contribute to our collective mission of changing the world.

Even if you don't meet every requirement listed, if you believe this role suits you well, we encourage you to apply. Your application gives us the opportunity to learn more about you and explore potential fits within our team.

Following the submission of your application, we are committed to providing timely responses to all applicants, though response times may vary depending on the volume of submissions. If you do not receive an immediate response, please rest assured that this in no way reflects on the quality of your candidacy. Your application will be retained in our files, and we may reach out to you for future roles that align with your skills and interests. As our organization experiences rapid growth, we appreciate your patience in this process. We are actively working each day to enhance our application procedures to ensure a smoother and more efficient experience for all applicants. Thank you for your understanding and enthusiasm for joining our dynamic team.

At AESC, we are committed to providing Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) to all individuals. We participate in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S Join us in our passion to design, manufacture, and sell high-performance products, contributing to a sustainable and zero-carbon emission future.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable otherwise qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

• Ability to sit for extended periods of time.
• Ability to read, write, speak, hear; stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach and lift with hands and arms frequently throughout the day.
• Required to occasionally lift, push, pull and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally required to lift, push, pull and/or move up to 35 pounds.

The work environment is primarily an automated manufacturing plant with a concrete floor and is characterized by some temperature extremes, moderate noise, and forklift traffic. The individual must be able to perform all essential functions as appropriate on the plant floor, in meetings, and with employees, management, customers and suppliers.

Candidate must perform the essential duties and responsibilities with or without reasonable accommodation efficiently and accurately, and without causing significant safety threat to self or others. The statements made herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this job classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive and inclusive list of all responsibilities, duties, and/or skills required of personnel so classified.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Law, Engineering, Finance, or a related field; advanced degree or legal background preferred.
• 5+ years of experience in commercial contract management, contract negotiation, or commercial operations within energy, power generation, renewables, or large infrastructure projects.
• Proven experience managing high-value, long-duration contracts (multi-million-dollar projects).
• Strong understanding of project-based contracting, including EPC and equipment supply agreements.
• Ability to identify and balance commercial risk while supporting business objectives.
• Excellent negotiation, communication, and stakeholder management skills.

Preferred Skills & Knowledge

• Experience with utility-scale BESS projects, renewable energy, power electronics, or grid infrastructure.
• Familiarity with performance guarantees, availability metrics, degradation warranties, and long-term service agreements for energy storage.
• Understanding of utility and IPP contracting practices.
• Experience working across international projects and multi-jurisdictional contracts.

Proficiency with contract management systems and Microsoft Office or Google

Welcome to AESC, supporting our state-of-the-art Gigafactories, where you'll have the opportunity to tackle the world's most fascinating challenges alongside exceptionally talented individuals who are driven to make a difference. At AESC, we offer a comprehensive compensation package. In addition, we provide a range of valuable benefits, such as 401K, and health insurance. We strive to ensure that our employees are well taken care of, enabling them to focus on their work and contribute to our collective mission of changing the world.

Even if you don't meet every requirement listed, if you believe this role suits you well, we encourage you to apply. Your application gives us the opportunity to learn more about you and explore potential fits within our team.

Following the submission of your application, we are committed to providing timely responses to all applicants, though response times may vary depending on the volume of submissions. If you do not receive an immediate response, please rest assured that this in no way reflects on the quality of your candidacy. Your application will be retained in our files, and we may reach out to you for future roles that align with your skills and interests. As our organization experiences rapid growth, we appreciate your patience in this process. We are actively working each day to enhance our application procedures to ensure a smoother and more efficient experience for all applicants. Thank you for your understanding and enthusiasm for joining our dynamic team.

At AESC, we are committed to providing Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) to all individuals. We participate in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S Join us in our passion to design, manufacture, and sell high-performance products, contributing to a sustainable and zero-carbon emission future.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable otherwise qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

• Ability to sit for extended periods of time.
• Ability to read, write, speak, hear; stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach and lift with hands and arms frequently throughout the day.
• Required to occasionally lift, push, pull and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally required to lift, push, pull and/or move up to 35 pounds.

The work environment is primarily an automated manufacturing plant with a concrete floor and is characterized by some temperature extremes, moderate noise, and forklift traffic. The individual must be able to perform all essential functions as appropriate on the plant floor, in meetings, and with employees, management, customers and suppliers.

Candidate must perform the essential duties and responsibilities with or without reasonable accommodation efficiently and accurately, and without causing significant safety threat to self or others. The statements made herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this job classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive and inclusive list of all responsibilities, duties, and/or skills required of personnel so classified.