Senior Contracts Manager

AeroVironment•Simi Valley, CA

11d•$139,000 - $212,000

About The Position

The Senior Contracts Manager leads and supports contract management for complex aerospace, defense, and government projects. The role develops bid, capture, and contract negotiation processes and documentation, and supports agreements throughout their lifecycle, including amendments and interpretations. The manager partners with cross-functional teams to streamline contract workflows, mitigate risk, evaluate performance, manage relationships, and ensure agreements support business goals and comply with applicable requirements and company policies. Responsibilities span proposal preparation and review, pre- and post-award negotiations, contract administration, modifications, close-outs, agreement drafting, compliance, flow-down coordination, audit liaison and leadership, records management, and contract data validation and reporting. The position requires significant experience with DoD/Federal and international government contracting, knowledge of relevant regulations and contract types, and the ability to communicate business and technical risks to leadership. The role requires access to ITAR/EAR-controlled information. Applicants must qualify as a U.S. person or be eligible for an export license; some positions may require current U.S. citizenship. The position requires a Secret clearance or the ability to obtain a U.S. security clearance. The work is in an office environment and may require travel to sites, programs, and special functions. The salary range is $139,000–$212,000. AV offers medical, dental, and vision coverage, a 401(k) with company matching, a 9/80 work schedule, and a paid holiday shutdown.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
Minimum of 8–10 years of experience performing duties in an aerospace, defense, or government contracting environment.
Currently hold or be capable of obtaining a U.S. security clearance; Secret clearance is listed, with Top Secret preferred.
Current expertise in Federal and International regulations and relevant legal concepts.
Significant experience in directly related International and DoD/Federal prime government contract administration or management, including senior-level experience and work across the full spectrum of contract types.
Entrepreneurial focus and ability to thrive in a dynamic, technically focused environment.
Business acumen, experience developing innovative solutions, and a successful record of problem solving.
Ability to translate between business and technical risk and communicate clearly to leadership.
Proven contract drafting and negotiation skills.
Knowledge of FAR/DFAR, OTAs, and U.S. Government acquisition laws and regulations.
Broad experience with firm-fixed-price, cost-type, commercial and non-commercial, production, development, and sustainment contracts.
Broad experience with license, non-disclosure, and teaming agreements.
Working knowledge of Truthful Cost or Pricing Data requirements, including FAR Part 15.
Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal, and presentation skills.
Ability to work collaboratively and inspire confidence in coworkers and customers.
Ability to work in an office environment; sit and stand for long periods; talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone keyboard; and sit, stand, stoop, reach, bend, and lift up to 10 pounds.
Hand and wrist dexterity to use a computer.
Applicants must qualify as a U.S. person under ITAR/EAR or be a person who can be approved for an export license; some positions may require current U.S. citizenship.

Nice To Haves

Federal Contract Manager (CFCM) certification.
Advanced degree.
Top Secret security clearance.
Experience contributing to continuous improvement and implementing company procedures and contract management processes.
Ability to work effectively with varying levels of seniority, including staff, managers, and external partners.
Highly organized, professional approach to conducting business.
Critical-thinking, negotiation, and conflict-resolution skills.
Process-oriented, results- and deadline-driven approach, with professional appearance and conduct.
Familiarity with finance and accounting procedures.
Ability to excel in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment where small teams share a broad variety of duties.
Strong initiative and drive to accomplish goals and meet company objectives.
Effective problem-solving, analytical, interpersonal, and communication skills.

Responsibilities

Partner with Operations, Contracts leaders, Sales, Strategy and Marketing, Finance, Legal, and other functions on bid and proposal preparation, contract negotiation, review, and administration for new and sustaining products and services.
Manage contract administration throughout the lifecycle, including proposal review and preparation, leading pre- and post-award negotiations, executing modifications, initiating close-outs, and supporting programs for complex, multi-year contracts.
Draft, evaluate, and negotiate agreements including non-disclosure, sales and purchase, subcontract, consulting, license, master, FAR-based, OTA, and other contractual agreements.
Ensure contract terms and agreements comply with applicable regulations and requirements and company policies.
Monitor long-term contract performance; summarize obligations, commitments, and performance for internal stakeholders; and assess changes to contract terms, preparing recommendations and risk reviews for management.
Coordinate terms-and-conditions flow-downs with program management, engineering, product support, finance, quality, supply chain management, manufacturing, and other departments as required.
Liaise with the Defense Contract Management Agency and other audit agencies, and potentially lead internal and external audits.
Maintain accurate contract files, including original contracts, correspondence, changes, deviations, modifications, amendments, and clarifications.
Review contract-related data uploaded to business systems to ensure accuracy and completeness.
Oversee contract document and file maintenance and retrieval, validated data, report preparation, and status reviews.
Perform other duties as assigned.