Contracts Administrator

Aston Carter•San Diego, CA

20h•Onsite

About The Position

The Contracts Administrator is responsible for independently managing a broad portfolio of commercial and government contracts from cradle to grave. This role supports prime contracts with the U.S. Department of Defense and leads commercial contracting activities, ensuring compliant, timely, and accurate execution of agreements in a fast-paced aerospace and defense environment.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field.
6+ years of experience in government contracting.
Hands-on experience drafting, negotiating, and executing commercial contracts, including subcontract agreements, consulting agreements, nondisclosure agreements, and purchase orders.
Working knowledge of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS), with at least 1–3 years of FAR/DFARS experience.
Experience supporting U.S. Department of Defense contracts or working within an aerospace, defense, or related government contracting environment.
Experience in contract administration, contract negotiation, and proposal development.
Strong attention to detail and accuracy in reviewing and drafting contractual documents.
Effective negotiation skills with the ability to balance business objectives and risk mitigation.
Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to explain complex contractual concepts clearly.
Strong critical and analytical thinking skills with the ability to identify issues and propose practical solutions.
Ability to take initiative, manage multiple priorities, and perform effectively under pressure and tight deadlines.
Proven ability to work independently with minimal supervision and without a formal training program.
Ability to collaborate as a team player with a proactive, solutions-oriented attitude in a dynamic environment.
Eligibility to obtain and maintain a Department of Defense personnel security clearance.

Nice To Haves

Juris Doctorate degree or legal experience is preferred.
Prior experience with the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) is beneficial.
Experience in research and development contracting is a plus.
Familiarity with ISO quality standards in a production or manufacturing environment.
Expirience in the aerospace and defense industry, including understanding of compliance culture, program structures, and stakeholder dynamics.
Experience working on nationally relevant defense programs or similar high-visibility initiatives.
Ability to quickly adapt to new processes and contribute to continuous improvement efforts.

Responsibilities

Draft, review, negotiate, and execute a variety of contracts, including subcontracts, consulting agreements, purchase orders, and nondisclosure agreements.
Support the evaluation, negotiation, and review of prime contracts with the United States Government, particularly Department of Defense (DoD) contracts.
Provide clear guidance to program teams regarding contractual rights, obligations, and risks, including interpretation of contract terms and conditions.
Offer mentorship and guidance to junior contracts specialists to support their development and ensure consistent contracting practices.
Manage the full contract lifecycle, including proposal support, contract execution, modifications, and contract closeout activities.
Maintain detailed and organized contract records to ensure traceability, audit readiness, and compliance with internal and external requirements.
Track key contract deadlines, deliverables, and milestones to support on-time performance and mitigate risk.
Assist with the continuous improvement of internal processes, procedures, policies, and compliance documentation related to contracts and regulatory requirements.
Support proposal development efforts, including responses to RFPs and RFQs, by reviewing terms, identifying risks, and recommending negotiation strategies.
Collaborate closely with program managers, engineering, finance, and other stakeholders to align contractual commitments with operational and business objectives.
Operate with a high degree of independence, quickly learning existing policies and procedures and contributing effectively without formal, structured training.
Ensure adherence to FAR and DFARS requirements for both commercial and non-commercial acquisitions and support compliance across the contract portfolio.