Contracts Manager

We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated Contracts Manager to oversee the full lifecycle of contracts with the Department of Defense (DoD) and other U.S. Government agencies. The ideal candidate has a strong background in federal contracting, excellent knowledge of FAR/DFARS, and proven experience managing complex government and commercial agreements. This role is critical to our growth strategy and requires a detail-oriented professional who can ensure compliance, mitigate risk, and support business objectives through sound contract management and negotiation practices.

Responsibilities and Duties

• Manage the full contract lifecycle, from pre-award planning, proposal support, and contract negotiation through execution, modifications, and closeout.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for all contractual matters between Auterion and U.S. Government contracting officers, prime contractors, and subcontractors.
• Review and interpret RFPs, RFIs, and solicitations to identify contractual requirements, risks, and flow-down clauses.
• Draft, review, and negotiate a variety of contractual documents, including NDAs, teaming agreements, subcontracts, purchase orders, and government contracts.
• Ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and company policies, including FAR, DFARS, ITAR/EAR export controls, NIST SP 800-171/CMMC cybersecurity, supply-chain and small business subcontracting requirements, and other DoD/IC mandates. Maintain readiness for DCMA, DCAA, or Inspector General audits and advise leadership on evolving regulatory impacts.
• Coordinate with cross-functional teams (Business Development, Capture, Program Management, Engineering, Finance, and Legal) to align contract terms with program and pricing strategies.
• Monitor contract performance and deliverables, track modifications, and maintain accurate contract records and correspondence.
• Identify and mitigate contractual risks, providing proactive guidance to management and stakeholders.
• Develop and maintain standard contract templates, policies, and procedures to drive efficiency and consistency across the organization.
• Lead or support internal audits, external government audits (e.g., DCMA, IG), vendor performance evaluations (e.g., CPARS) and contract close-out activities: funds release, deliverables acceptance, lessons-learned.
• Drive contract management process improvements, including implementation/use of contract lifecycle management (CLM) tools, dashboards and analytics to provide visibility and track key performance indicators (KPIs).

Qualifications and Skills

• Bachelor's degree in business, law, finance, or a related field; advanced degree or relevant certifications (e.g., CPCM, NCMA, PMP) preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in U.S. Government contracting (preferably DoD/IC) with demonstrated success managing contracts of varying complexity.
• Deep understanding of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS); familiarity with NIST cyber requirements, ITAR/EAR, supply chain flow-down, small business rules, and audit/contract close-out procedures
• Experience with various contract types, including FFP, T&M, CPFF, OTA, IDIQ, GSA, and subcontracts.
• Strong negotiation and analytical skills, with the ability to interpret complex terms and propose creative solutions.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively across functions and with government/industry partners.
• Highly organized and detail-oriented, capable of managing multiple priorities under tight deadlines.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint); experience with contract management systems and CRM tools (e.g., HubSpot) is a plus.
• Demonstrated ability to balance compliance and business goals in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
• US Citizenship required. Active Secret Clearance preferred.

Benefits

• Flexible working hours
• Stock Options
• Unlimited PTO
• Health Insurance (includes dental & vision)
• Medical flex spending
• Life Insurance
• Retirement Plan - 401k
• Enhanced maternity & paternity leave
• Learning and development opportunities

About Auterion

We are building the leading software platform for AI-powered autonomous systems for enterprise and government customers. Our team is supporting the most important missions and solving the most challenging problems.

At Auterion, we bring together the sharpest minds who love to solve the hardest problems. Join a vibrant team built on innovation, openness, and excellence, where you'll be empowered to develop ideas, collaborate across all levels, and make an impact that matters.