Contract Manager

Contracts Manager

Location: Lorton, VA (Hybrid – 2 Days Onsite Per Week)

Salary: Approximately $160,000

Job Type: Direct Hire

• Must have leadership experience and have had at least 4 direct reports
• Must have worked with Department of Defense contracts

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced Contracts Manager to lead a team of contract professionals while supporting complex Department of Defense (DoD) programs involving production and development contracts for highly technical defense systems.

This role is ideal for a contracts leader with significant experience managing contracts tied to defense hardware programs such as missile systems, radar systems, unmanned platforms, aircraft programs, military equipment, lead systems integration efforts, and other complex DoD production environments. The successful candidate will possess strong contract management expertise combined with the ability to understand the technical and programmatic aspects of defense programs and effectively communicate with engineering, program management, business development, and executive leadership teams.

The Contracts Manager will serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership and oversee cradle-to-grave contract administration activities while managing a team of four direct reports. This position requires an individual who can think critically, operate independently, and provide strategic guidance on contractual, financial, and programmatic matters.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead cradle-to-grave administration of prime government contracts from proposal support through contract closeout.
• Manage a team of four Contract Administrators, providing mentorship, leadership, performance management, and professional development.
• Support and administer complex DoD production and development contracts involving highly technical hardware deliverables.
• Serve as a key contracts advisor to Program Management, Engineering, Supply Chain, Finance, and Executive Leadership.
• Review and negotiate contract awards, modifications, funding actions, and contractual agreements.
• Support programs involving development-to-production transitions, production scaling, and long-term program execution.
• Analyze and negotiate contractual requirements associated with development milestones, FAT (Factory Acceptance Testing), LAT (Lot Acceptance Testing), performance-based payments, deliverables, and customer acceptance requirements.
• Advise leadership on contractual risks, opportunities, compliance requirements, and business implications.
• Interpret and apply FAR, DFARS, agency supplements, and customer-specific contractual requirements.
• Support proposal development activities, including RFP review, risk analysis, compliance assessments, and contract strategy development.
• Partner closely with Program Management to ensure contractual requirements align with program execution objectives.
• Manage contract negotiations with U.S. Government customers, prime contractors, subcontractors, and strategic partners.
• Support subcontract development and flow-down requirements associated with complex defense programs.
• Negotiate and administer Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs), Teaming Agreements (TAs), Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs), and other business agreements.
• Identify contractual issues and develop practical business-oriented solutions.
• Support strategic growth initiatives and business capture efforts.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• 10 years of progressive government contracts experience supporting Department of Defense (DoD) programs.
• Prior direct management experience with responsibility for leading and developing contracts professionals.
• Demonstrated experience managing prime government contracts throughout the full contract lifecycle.
• Significant experience supporting DoD production contracts involving hardware deliverables.
• Experience supporting programs involving defense systems such as:
• Aircraft and fighter jet programs
• Missile systems
• Radar systems
• Unmanned systems and robotics
• Military equipment and defense technologies
• Lead Systems Integrator (LSI) environments
• Experience working on programs that progressed from development into production.
• Strong understanding of:
• Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT)
• Lot Acceptance Testing (LAT)
• Performance-Based Payments
• Production milestones and deliverables
• Government funding mechanisms
• Experience supporting:
• Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contracts
• Cost-Reimbursable contracts
• Time & Materials (T&M) contracts
• Strong working knowledge of FAR, DFARS, and government contract compliance requirements.
• Experience negotiating and administering NDAs, Teaming Agreements, and other contractual instruments.
• Strong analytical, critical-thinking, and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to effectively communicate contractual impacts to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Ability to work independently while managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Must be eligible to obtain and maintain a security clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting major defense contractors such as Raytheon, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, General Dynamics, Boeing Defense, or similar organizations.
• Experience participating in formal Contracts Leadership Development Programs.
• Experience supporting highly technical engineering and manufacturing organizations.
• Active Secret Clearance preferred.

What They're Looking For

• A hands-on Contracts Manager who can successfully balance leadership responsibilities with direct contract ownership.
• Someone who understands both the contractual and technical aspects of complex defense programs.
• A professional capable of engaging with Program Managers, Engineers, and senior executives on highly technical contract matters.
• Proven experience supporting DoD production programs with tangible hardware deliverables rather than service-only or commercial contracts.
• Strong leadership presence with experience managing and developing contract professionals.
• A critical thinker who can independently evaluate risks, identify solutions, and provide sound business recommendations.
• An individual who has demonstrated stability and progression within previous organizations.