Contract Manager

Contracts Manager

Company Background

Our client develops cutting-edge software-defined radio (SDR) products and processing solutions to enable spectrum dominance for maritime, land, air, and space domains.

Job Summary

You will be responsible for drafting, negotiating, and administering contracts, mitigating risk, and monitoring regulatory compliance (FAR, DFARS, etc.). You’ll act as a key partner to engineering, procurement, program management, and legal, enabling them to scale efficiently and responsibly. Job duties will also include support their Space Canadian affiliate.

Responsibilities

Contract Drafting & Negotiation

• Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of contracts including customer agreements, prime contracts, subcontracts, supplier/vendor contracts, software licensing agreements, NDAs, and teaming agreements.
• Work with Supply Chain to ensure all subcontracts include proper flow-down clauses, data rights, IP provisions, export control, and cybersecurity requirements.
• Escalate and collaborate with Legal Counsel on non-standard terms, high-risk provisions, or deviations.

Contracts Management

• Maintain and manage contractual record-keeping via a contract repository system. Track key milestones, renewals, amendments, deliverables, and change orders.
• Interact with business teams to monitor parties’ compliance with contract obligations (deliverables, warranties, service levels), and handle modifications or extensions as needed.
• Ensure contracts meet internal policy standards, audit requirements, and regulatory obligations. Administration of some contractual/FAR requirements (e.g. small business subcontracting plans, commercial item justifications, related supplier flow downs and questionnaires).

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Translation

• Work closely with Program Managers, Engineering, Production, Procurement, and Finance to translate contractual requirements into actionable plans, schedules, and work breakdowns.
• Review proposals and bid documents to identify contractual risk and provide clarity on terms.
• Communicate obligations and risks to internal stakeholders in non-legal language, facilitating alignment and accountability.

Risk Management & Compliance

• Assess contract risk and recommend mitigation strategies (indemnities, liability limitations, insurance, dispute resolution, etc.).
• Administer and monitor compliance with internal policies and external regulations (FAR, DFARS, ITAR/EAR, CMMC, NIST).
• Support contracts compliance reviews, audits, governmental oversight engagements (e.g., DCAA, DCMA), contract closeouts, and compliance investigations.

Reporting, Metrics & Insights

• Prepare executive-level summaries of contract health, risk, and opportunities.
• Deliver insights and recommendations to leadership to support strategic decision-making.

Process Improvement & Tools Implementation

• Develop and maintain standard contract templates, playbooks, checklists, and workflows.
• Lead or participate in selecting, configuring, and driving adoption of a Contract Lifecycle Management (CLM) and recordkeeping systems and contract tools.
• Conduct training or awareness sessions for business teams on contract best practices, roles, and responsibilities.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree, preferably in Business, Law, Project Management, or a related field.
• 10 years of experience in government contracting and commercial contracts for technology, especially with defense or other regulated industries.
• Working knowledge of FAR, DFARS, export controls (ITAR/EAR), and cybersecurity contract clauses.
• Advanced issue-spotting, analytical, drafting, redlining, and negotiation skills.
• Proven ability to collaborate across functions (Engineering, PM, Procurement, Finance).
• Excellent verbal and written communication, organization, and project management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple, complex contracts and priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• High integrity, attention to detail, and confidentiality.
• Some limited travel will be required (approximately 10%).

Desired

• Prior experience in audits, government oversight, or contract compliance (DCAA, DCMA).
• Demonstrate experience with international contracting (Direct Commercial Sale [DCS] and Foreign Military Sales [FMS] Contracts) as well as denied party screening.
• Familiarity with product development, embedded systems, or communications technologies.
• Advanced degree or legal qualification (JD, LL.M., or similar).
• Knowledge of cybersecurity standards (e.g. NIST 800-171, CMMC).
• Active US Government Security Clearance or the ability and willingness to obtain a Secret or Top Secret/SCI security clearance, which requires US citizenship.

Benefits

• Join a successful and growing company investing in our future success
• Flexible work hours
• Generous vacation policy
• Paid five-week sabbatical every five years
• 401(k) matching
• Health, dental, vision insurance
• Life and long-term disability insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Wellness reimbursement
• Charitable giving company match
• Competitive salary commensurate with experience and performance
• Fun, laid-back culture and rewarding work!

This is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer - All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.