Contracts Manager

Auterion • Arlington, VA

70d

About The Position

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.

Requirements

• 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.

Responsibilities

• 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).

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

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree
• Number of Employees: 101-250 employees