Contracts Principal

SAIC•Remote Work, VA

1d•Remote

About The Position

SAIC’s Business Management organization is seeking an experienced Contracts Principal to manage contracts and proposals within the Air Force, Space and Intelligence Business Group, supporting the Defense and Civil Space Market. The position may be performed remotely anywhere in the United States. The Contracts Principal serves as a strategic partner to stakeholders during capture, proposal, and contract execution, applying federal government contracting expertise and a proactive, solutions-oriented approach. The role requires independent judgment, attention to detail, collaboration, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment. The position involves customer-facing work with Contracting Officers and acquisition specialists, strategic advice on traditional and innovative acquisition vehicles, contract and proposal analysis, negotiations, contract risk management, and internal education. The Contracts Principal also develops acquisition strategies for emerging technologies, including AI and cloud computing, and stays informed about regulatory developments such as FAR reform.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration or a related discipline and 10 years of relevant experience, or a master’s degree in Business Administration or a related discipline and 8 years of relevant experience; an additional 4+ years of experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
U.S. citizenship required.
Extensive cost proposal experience.
Thorough understanding and broad application of contract administration principles, concepts, practices, and standards.
In-depth knowledge of laws, regulations, and policies governing assigned contracts, including the FAR, TINA, and GAAP.
Strong knowledge of federal government contracting industry practices.
Proven experience in contract risk management and negotiation.
Demonstrated experience with OTA agreements, including prototype OTAs and follow-on production transactions, and working knowledge of the statutory and regulatory framework governing OTA use and limitations.
Strong proposal writing skills, including developing, structuring, and reviewing compliant proposals across contract types and acquisition vehicles.
Ability to communicate complex technical and contractual concepts precisely and concisely, including within strict page limits.
Ability to synthesize complex legal and contractual topics and communicate them clearly to collaborators from diverse backgrounds and disciplines.
Effective critical-thinking skills and the ability to quickly assimilate and act on new information.
Strong organizational skills and ability to manage fluctuating workloads and competing priorities.
Self-directed and dependable, with awareness of limitations and a collaborative approach to manager engagement.
Reliable, structured, risk-aware, agile, and creative, with a consistent record of delivering on commitments.

Nice To Haves

Experience in both FAR-based and non-FAR-based proposal environments.
Familiarity with non-traditional defense contractors and their intersection with OTAs and other innovative acquisition vehicles.
Experience with as-a-service models, such as Software-as-a-Service, Infrastructure-as-a-Service, and Platform-as-a-Service.
Interest in and awareness of regulatory developments, including FAR reform initiatives.

Responsibilities

Serve as a primary customer-facing interface with Contracting Officers and acquisition specialists, building and maintaining trust-based customer relationships.
Lead negotiations, pursue resolutions that protect SAIC’s interests, and exercise judgment about when to commit to a position or seek further review.
Advise internal stakeholders on acquisition mechanisms such as OTAs, CSOs, and prototype project proposals, including implications for intellectual property, data rights, competitive positioning, cost and pricing, and programs.
Contribute to discussions about non-traditional defense contractors, teaming, and competitive positioning.
Identify, assess, and mitigate Organizational Conflicts of Interest; author and update OCI mitigation plans and review them with contracts management before submission to program leadership.
Review, analyze, and interpret contractual documents; assess compliance with company policy, government specifications, and master agreement requirements; advise business and program leaders on contractual rights, obligations, and terms.
Escalate issues to contracts management or in-house legal counsel when appropriate.
Educate internal and external partners on contracting strategies, marketplace dynamics, and competitive approaches, communicating trade-offs and relevant insights.
Develop acquisition strategies for emerging technologies, including identifying opportunities, analyzing market trends, preparing acquisition plans, and aligning plans with organizational goals and regulatory requirements.
Address risks associated with emerging technologies, rapid innovation cycles, and evolving industry standards.
Maintain awareness of significant regulatory developments, including proposed and ongoing FAR reform, and consider their effects on contract structures, compliance, and acquisition strategy.
Develop, structure, and review technically and contractually compliant proposals across contract types and acquisition vehicles.