Senior Contracts Administrator

Mettle Ops • Madison Heights, MI

6d

About The Position

Mettle Ops is a Michigan-based defense contractor specializing in energetic systems, advanced manufacturing, and defense systems integration. The Senior Contracts Administrator position is designed to complement a contracts team led by a Contracts Manager with deep Government-side contracting expertise by adding a professional whose formative experience was built in industry - navigating contracts from the contractor's perspective, managing subcontractor ecosystems, and supporting business development cycles. Reporting to the Contracts Manager, this role carries meaningful individual responsibility for day-to-day administration of commercial and Government contracts, subcontract management, proposal support, and regulatory compliance across Mettle Ops' active program portfolio. The ideal candidate understands what it means to be the contractor - managing risk, protecting margin, maintaining customer relationships, and operating inside a compliance framework, not just describing one.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree required — Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, Finance, Legal Studies, or related field preferred
• 5–10 years of contracts experience, with the majority on the industry (contractor) side — prime contractor, subcontractor, or both
• Demonstrated experience administering U.S. Government contracts under FAR/DFARS (FFP, IDIQ, T&M, or cost-type)
• Hands-on subcontract management experience, including flowdown compliance and supplier negotiations
• Proposal pricing or cost volume experience on competitive Government procurements
• Defense industry experience strongly preferred; production/manufacturing environment experience a plus
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint); SharePoint
• Familiarity with Government contract and compliance platforms: PIEE/iRAPT (WAWF), SAM.gov, SPRS, CPARS
• Experience with Deltek Costpoint, JAMIS, or comparable Government contractor ERP preferred
• Comfort working with solicitation and contract databases (beta.SAM.gov, FPDS, USASpending.gov)
• FAR / DFARS fluency
• Contract types and pricing structures
• Subcontract flowdown compliance
• Cost accounting / cost allowability (FAR Part 31)
• Progress payments and billing mechanisms
• Negotiation and risk identification
• Clear written and verbal communication
• Cross-functional collaboration
• Attention to detail under deadline pressure
• Comfort with ambiguity and evolving priorities
• Must be a U.S. Person (U.S. Citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident) as required by ITAR/EAR program access
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance (Secret) required; current clearance preferred
• Must be willing to complete export control training and comply with all ITAR/EAR obligations applicable to program access

Nice To Haves

• Master's degree or J.D. a plus, but not required
• NCMA Certified Professional Contracts Manager (CPCM) — highest preference
• NCMA Certified Federal Contracts Manager (CFCM)
• NCMA Certified Commercial Contracts Manager (CCCM)
• APICS CSCP, ISM CPSM, or equivalent supply chain certification considered
• Candidates who are CPCM/CFCM-eligible and actively pursuing certification will be considered on an equivalent basis.
• Current security clearance preferred

Responsibilities

• Administer a portfolio of U.S. Government prime contracts (FFP, IDIQ, T&M, CPFF) and commercial agreements through full lifecycle - award through closeout
• Prepare, review, and negotiate contract modifications, statements of work, CDRLs, and engineering change proposals
• Monitor contract performance against cost, schedule, and technical baselines; flag deviations to program leadership
• Maintain contract files, correspondence logs, and compliance records in accordance with internal and regulatory requirements
• Coordinate with DCAA and DCMA on audits, property surveillance, and quality oversight activities
• Draft, negotiate, and administer subcontracts and purchase orders in compliance with FAR/DFARS flowdown requirements
• Conduct subcontractor source selections, evaluate proposals, and support make-or-buy analyses
• Monitor subcontractor performance; issue cure notices and corrective action requests as warranted
• Verify subcontractor SPRS scores, cybersecurity compliance, and small business certifications in SAM.gov prior to award
• Administer consent-to-subcontract requirements and obtain CO approval where required
• Lead or support cost and price volume development for competitive and sole-source proposals
• Prepare cost narratives, basis of estimate (BOE) documentation, and rate support packages
• Develop compliance matrices against RFP Sections C, L, and M; identify gaps and mandatory requirements
• Coordinate teaming agreements and NDAs in support of capture activities
• Interface with pricing, technical, and BD teams to produce cohesive, compliant proposals
• Maintain working knowledge of FAR, DFARS, and applicable agency supplements (AFARS, DARS, DLAD)
• Support CMMC Level 2 compliance maintenance; assist in SPRS assessment documentation
• Apply export control screening (ITAR/EAR) to agreements and technical data exchanges; coordinate with ITAR/EAR compliance consultant as required
• Ensure Buy American Act / Trade Agreements Act / Berry Amendment compliance on applicable procurements
• Support NISPOM (32 CFR Part 117) compliance activities where facility clearance or classified program access is required
• Serve as contractual point of contact for program managers, engineers, and finance personnel on contract-related matters
• Contribute to development and delivery of contracts training for non-contracts staff
• Maintain and update contract templates, standard clause libraries, and internal playbooks

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior