Ty Sydnor is a Contracts Manager with Oceaneering Space Systems (OSS) in Houston, TX. His role centers on leading the negotiation, strategy, and administration of a broad portfolio of government contracts, including Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ; Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF); Firm Fixed Price (FFP); and Time and Materials (T&M) agreements.
He works closely with internal and external stakeholders to ensure compliance with federal regulations, such as the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS), while also mentoring contract professionals to support team growth and performance.
“A typical day requires balancing strategic planning with operational oversight—everything from guiding audits and refining workflows to supporting proposal development and mitigating contractual risks.”
Career Journey
Before joining Oceaneering in 2022, Ty spent eight years as a Contracting Officer at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, where he developed a deep understanding of federal acquisition processes. He later transitioned to the private sector, gaining valuable experience in a small business environment and learning to navigate government contracts from the contractor’s perspective. This dual-sector background prepared him well for the complexities of his current role.
A Typical Day
Staying organized is essential in a role that blends compliance, leadership, and strategy. Ty follows a structured schedule to ensure priorities are met and nothing falls through the cracks.
“My day starts with a team stand-up meeting to align on priorities, address escalations, and review upcoming deliverables. From there, I review and approve high-value task orders, collaborate with stakeholders on funding updates, and participate in proposal and capture strategy sessions for new work.”
Late morning and early afternoon often involve direct engagement with government Contracting Officers to resolve inquiries or negotiate terms. Ty also mentors junior staff, conducts compliance reviews, and delivers training in federal regulations and negotiation techniques.
The latter part of his day is focused on process improvements—evaluating workflows, automation tools, and metrics tracking.
“I may prepare reports for leadership on contractual exposure or support audit prep for the Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) and Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA). Before wrapping up, I usually debrief with senior leadership and lay out next steps for the following day.”
A Passion for Contracts
Ty’s work spans both government and commercial aerospace initiatives. He manages build-to-print manufacturing agreements and complex engineering services contracts, each with unique contractual demands and compliance considerations.
“No two days are the same. Each contract brings a unique set of challenges and solving them requires a tailored approach that blends regulation, business strategy, and collaboration. That complexity is what keeps the work dynamic and fulfilling.”
Lessons That Stick
Understanding how individual efforts contribute to larger program objectives is key to successful contract management. For Ty, strategic execution starts with seeing the big picture and helping his team see it, too.
“One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned is the importance of understanding how your individual contributions affect broader program goals. Seeing that interconnectedness helps guide more strategic decisions and fosters stronger cross-functional teamwork.”
Developing the Next Generation
Supporting talent development is a core part of Ty’s role, whether through mentoring early-career professionals or promoting continued learning for experienced team members.
“I actively support our internship programs, including partnerships with local universities like the University of Houston–Clear Lake. These programs offer meaningful professional development for students while cultivating the next generation of contract professionals.”
Opportunities Await
“Oceaneering is a place where you can both launch and grow your career. Whether you’re early in your professional journey or looking to branch into new disciplines, Oceaneering provides the tools, support, and opportunities to become a subject matter expert and thrive long-term.”