Contracts Specialist

Job ID 2610446

Location El Segundo, CA, US

Date Posted 2026-03-23

Category Program Management

Subcategory Project Analyst

Schedule Full-Time

Shift Day Job

Travel Yes - 10% of the time

Minimum Clearance Required TS.SCI

Clearance Level Must Be Able to Obtain TS/SCI with Poly

Potential for Remote Work ORA_ON_SITE

Description

SAIC’s Horizon program is seeking a highly skilled Contracts Specialist to lead acquisition planning, contracting strategy, and contract management efforts within the Space Domain Awareness (SDA) and Space Surveillance & Reconnaissance (S&R) mission areas. This role requires expertise in contract negotiation, compliance, risk mitigation, and program oversight to support the U.S. Space Force (USSF) Space Systems Command (SSC), ensuring alignment with the Warfighting Acquisition System (WAS) approach for rapid capability fielding. This position is located in El Segundo, CA.

Embedded in the Government’s Space S&R team, you will provide essential contracting leadership to ensure the successful acquisition, integration, and delivery of the next generation of space-based SDA and S&R capabilities. The role focuses on developing acquisition strategies, managing contract execution, and ensuring contractual alignment with program objectives while fostering collaboration and maintaining compliance with Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) and mission needs.

Key Responsibilities – Driving Mission Success

• Provide expert advice to the Program Manager and Senior Space Force Leadership on acquisition strategies that leverage commercial innovations, non-traditional contract mechanisms (e.g., Other Transaction Authorities [OTAs], Commercial Solutions Openings [CSOs]), budgeting, and execution. Support the preparation of acquisition documentation, such as ESIS, ASP, ASD, J&A, Source Selection Strategies, and other strategy-specific deliverables.
• Collaborate with technical personnel and acquisition teams to design, refine, and evaluate statements of work (SOWs), data deliverable requirements, and contract deliverables, ensuring alignment with rapid acquisition practices and commercial engagement approaches.
• Assist in contract negotiations with a focus on price reasonableness using market research and industry standards, ensuring flexibility in commercialization partnering and alignment with mission objectives. Provide support for contract execution policies, modifications, incentive structures, and closeout procedures.
• Offer specialized expertise in drafting and executing non-traditional contracts, hybrid arrangements, and streamlined approaches to funding, award fees, period of performance extensions, and other contract actions, ensuring compliance with Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) while integrating innovative contracting practices.
• Develop and coordinate program planning and tailored execution documents utilizing the Warfighting Acquisition Strategy framework and streamlined approaches derived from DoDI 5000.02, with a focus on rapid fielding and capability delivery aligned with agile acquisition principles.
• Support source selection processes by drafting evaluations and advising on criteria that promote competition and flexibility for commercial and non-traditional solutions, ensuring best value for government-focused outcomes.
• Provide programmatic assessments of contractor milestone reviews and deliverables with an emphasis on managing risks, fostering adaptability, and ensuring alignment with operational capability goals and Warfighting Acquisition Strategy timelines.
• Monitor and evaluate contractor performance for adherence to contract terms and conditions, emphasizing the timely execution of deliverables and adaptability to emerging mission requirements or shifts in priority.
  
  

Qualifications

Qualifications – What You Bring to the Team

We’re looking for an exceptional contracts specialist who can innovate in complex, fast-paced environments and drive contracting success at every stage of the acquisition lifecycle. Minimum qualifications for the role include

• Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 10 years of related experience, with demonstrated expertise in
• Federal contracting regulations and procurement procedures, including Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS).
• Innovative acquisition strategies, such as Other Transaction Authorities (OTAs), Commercial Solutions Openings (CSOs), and other non-traditional contracting mechanisms.
• Contract management throughout the acquisition lifecycle, including pre-award activities (e.g., drafting solicitations, developing contracting strategies, proposal evaluations), post-award administration (e.g., contract modifications, oversight of deliverables), and closeout processes.
• Developing performance-based and incentive-based contracts, ensuring alignment with mission objectives, and fostering partnerships with traditional and non-traditional vendors.
• Must have an in-scope security background investigation (T5 or SSBI), adjudicated for SCI eligibility, and currently enrolled in the Continuous Evaluation program (if applicable).
• Must be willing to be nominated for and gain access to Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) and Special Access Programs (SAPs) and consent to a Polygraph examination.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications – What Sets You Apart

• Master’s degree in Business Administration, Contracts Management, or a related field.
• Professional certification in contracts management or project management (e.g., NCMA CPCM, DAWIA Level III in Contracting, or PMI PMP).
• Experience within the National Security Space domain, particularly in contracting activities or acquisition strategy development.
• Experience working in a U.S. Government weapons system program office, contracting office, or a development environment supporting acquisition, integration, and procurement activities.
• Familiarity with non-traditional acquisition approaches, such as Other Transaction Authorities (OTAs) and Commercial Solutions Openings (CSOs), and their application in delivering rapid mission capabilities.
  
  

Target salary range $120,001 - $160,000. The estimate displayed represents the typical salary range for this position based on experience and other factors.