Demo

Subcontract Closeout Specialist

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory
Laurel, MD Full Time
POSTED ON 4/17/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 5/16/2026
Description

Do you love to dig into contract details and drive process improvements?

Are you searching for important work in federal contracting and compliance?

Do you like contributing to cross-functional projects with national impact?

If so, we're looking for someone like you to join our team at APL.

We are seeking a highly skilled and detail-oriented Subcontract Closeout Specialist to lead the subcontract closeout process as part of our prime contract closeout efforts. This position plays a critical role in ensuring compliance with contractual, regulatory, and organizational requirements.

Key Responsibilities

Subcontract Closeout

  • Lead the review and closeout of subcontract actions in compliance with prime contract terms, organizational policies, and federal regulations (e.g., FAR, DFARS).
  • Conduct detailed analysis of subcontract documentation to identify outstanding obligations, including final invoices, audits, property reconciliations, and deliverables.
  • Partner with subcontract managers and financial teams to confirm final costs, resolve discrepancies, and obtain required approvals.
  • Coordinate with external subcontractors to collect all necessary closeout documentation, such as final release of claims, certifications, and other contractual requirements.
  • Monitor and track the status of subcontract closeout actions, ensuring timely completion and reporting progress to leadership.

Compliance and Auditing

  • Ensure all subcontract closeout activities meet organizational standards and federal regulations, including FAR/DFARS clauses.
  • Support audits by providing required documentation and addressing audit findings related to subcontract closeouts.

Stakeholder Collaboration

  • Act as a liaison between subcontract managers, finance, legal, and external stakeholders to resolve closeout challenges.
  • Facilitate cross-functional meetings to address complex or high-value subcontract closeout issues.

Qualifications

You meet our minimum qualifications for the job if you have...

  • A Bachelor’s degree in Business, Contract Management, Finance, or related field
  • 3 years of Contract administration, negotiation or closeout experience, including work on cost-reimbursable, time-and-materials, and fixed-price contract types
  • Demonstrated experience preparing and reviewing detailed paperwork & certifications in support of closeout activities
  • Strong communication and organization skills
  • Excellent attention to detail, analytical skills, and ability to manage a high volume of closeouts across multiple projects
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (particularly Excel) and SharePoint
  • Hold U.S. citizenship or permanent resident status, as required to access APL facilities and networks, subject to applicable laws.

You'll go above and beyond our minimum requirements if you have...

  • 5 years of subcontract administration or closeout experience, including extensive work on cost-reimbursable, time-and-materials, and fixed-price subcontract types
  • Personally closed out a high volume of complex subcontracts, including those involving:
    • Universities
    • FFRDCs
    • Small businesses with approved purchasing systems
  • Hands-on experience supporting or responding to DCAA or DCMA audits
  • Familiarity with incurred cost submissions, rate reconciliations, and audit-ready file reviews
  • Experience coordinating final rate settlements and tracking rate adjustments across multiple years
  • Helped develop or refine subcontract closeout policies, standard operating procedures, and tools (e.g. closeout trackers, document templates)
  • Advised on risk-based closeout approaches or recovery of unclaimed costs
  • Working knowledge of the FAR (Federal Acquisition Regulation), especially Parts 4, 16, 42, and 49
About Us

Why Work at APL?

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) brings world-class expertise to our nation’s most critical defense, security, space and science challenges. While we are dedicated to solving complex challenges and pioneering new technologies, what makes us truly outstanding is our culture. We offer a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere where you can bring your authentic self to work, continue to grow, and build strong connections with inspiring teammates.

At APL, we celebrate our differences of perspectives and encourage creativity and bold, new ideas. Our employees enjoy generous benefits, including a robust education assistance program, unparalleled retirement contributions, and a healthy work/life balance. APL’s campus is located in the Baltimore-Washington metro area. Learn more about our career opportunities at http://www.jhuapl.edu/careers.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, occupation, marital or familial status, political opinion, personal appearance, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. APL is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals of all abilities, including those with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in any part of the hiring process, please contact Accommodations@jhuapl.edu.

The referenced pay range is based on JHU APL’s good faith belief at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as geographic location, work experience, market conditions, education/training and skill level with consideration for internal parity. For salaried employees scheduled to work less than 40 hours per week, annual salary will be prorated based on the number of hours worked. APL may offer bonuses or other forms of compensation per internal policy and/or contractual designation. Additional compensation may be provided in the form of a sign-on bonus, relocation benefits, locality allowance or discretionary payments for exceptional performance. APL provides eligible staff with a comprehensive benefits package including retirement plans, paid time off, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, flexible spending accounts, education assistance, and training and development. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

Minimum Rate

$58,700 Annually

Maximum Rate

$146,300 Annually

Salary : $58,700 - $146,300

If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution. Compensation Planning
Enhance your organization's compensation strategy with salary data sets that HR and team managers can use to pay your staff right. Surveys & Data Sets

What is the career path for a Subcontract Closeout Specialist?

Sign up to receive alerts about other jobs on the Subcontract Closeout Specialist career path by checking the boxes next to the positions that interest you.
Income Estimation: 
$73,352 - $97,055
Income Estimation: 
$91,406 - $117,952
Income Estimation: 
$95,070 - $132,417
Income Estimation: 
$91,406 - $117,952
Income Estimation: 
$116,652 - $155,713
Income Estimation: 
$95,070 - $132,417
Employees: Get a Salary Increase
View Core, Job Family, and Industry Job Skills and Competency Data for more than 15,000 Job Titles Skills Library

Job openings at Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory

  • Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory Hill, UT
  • Description Are you searching for meaningful work in technical efforts that enable U.S. strategic deterrence objectives to shape and prevail against threat... more
  • 9 Days Ago

  • Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory Laurel, MD
  • Description Do you have a passion for space and a drive to make an impact in national defense? Are you an experienced Program or Project Manager excited ab... more
  • 9 Days Ago

  • Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory Laurel, MD
  • Description Do you love to work with teams to solve hard technical problems related to anti-submarine warfare? Do you enjoy critical thinking and setting t... more
  • 9 Days Ago

  • Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory Laurel, MD
  • Description Do the challenges of analyzing, testing, and evaluating electro-optic systems intrigue you? Are you interested in developing analytical and sta... more
  • 9 Days Ago


Not the job you're looking for? Here are some other Subcontract Closeout Specialist jobs in the Laurel, MD area that may be a better fit.

  • OCT Consulting, LLC Washington, DC
  • OCT Consulting is a business management and technology consulting firm that supports Federal Government clients. We provide consulting services in the area... more
  • 15 Days Ago

  • Bechtel Global Corporation Reston, VA
  • Requisition ID: 293527 Relocation Authorized: National - Family Telework Type:Full-Time Office/Project Work Location: Various Work Locations USA Salary Ran... more
  • 3 Days Ago

AI Assistant is available now!

Feel free to start your new journey!