Senior Contracts Principal

SAIC•Flexwork, MD

13h•Remote

About The Position

SAIC is seeking a Senior Contracts Principal to join its Strategic Proposal Team (SPT), supporting Federal Civilian agencies. The role operates at the intersection of contracts management and proposal strategy, supporting critical, high-visibility bids in a fast-paced, high-stakes, deadline-driven environment. The position partners with capture, program, pricing, subcontracts, and executive leadership as a strategic advisor, balancing risk, compliance, and growth. It assesses how contract terms, conditions, and structures affect financial risk, margins, and cash flow. The role is also hands-on and accountable for drafting, authoring, and finalizing contractual and business proposal volumes, including cost/price narratives, OCI mitigation plans, total compensation plans, and representations and certifications. The position is 100% remote within the United States.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree and 10 or more years of progressive experience in federal contracts management, proposal development, and pre-award negotiations; alternatively, a master's degree and 8 or more years of experience; or a PhD or JD and 5 or more years of experience.
Demonstrated track record leading contractual strategy on high-dollar, complex federal bids, preferably for Federal Civilian agencies such as VA, State, DHS, or HHS.
In-depth working knowledge of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), agency-specific supplements, and federal procurement methodologies.
Demonstrated ability to evaluate contract terms through a risk-and-reward lens, assess financial risk exposure, and develop balanced, defensible positions.
Hands-on experience developing compliant, compelling cost narratives, OCI plans, and business volumes under tight proposal deadlines.
U.S. citizenship required.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree or relevant professional certifications such as CPCM or CFCM.
Experience with various fixed-price contract types is preferred.
Experience supporting Federal Civilian agencies such as VA, State, DHS, or HHS is preferred.

Responsibilities

Own the end-to-end strategy, authoring, and review of critical business and contractual proposal volumes, including Cost/Price Narratives, OCI Mitigation Plans, Total Compensation Plans, and Representations & Certifications.
Review RFPs and RFQs in depth to assess contractual obligations, identify ambiguities or onerous requirements, formulate internal and customer-facing questions, review and help develop assumptions, and advise capture and program teams on risk allocation, mitigation, and competitive win strategies.
Support pre-RFP shaping, author white papers, support RFI responses, and negotiate strategic teaming agreements, nondisclosure agreements, and terms and conditions matrices that articulate pricing and risk postures.
Work with pricing analysts to understand pricing models and submission files and ensure compliance with RFP instructions, internal policy, approved cost estimating system standards, and contract-type regulatory requirements.
Evaluate proposed contract terms, performance obligations, limitation of liability, intellectual property rights, and payment terms, and communicate their direct impact on the contract's financial risk profile.
Provide subject matter expertise in structuring, interpreting, and optimizing performance under diverse contract vehicles, including FFP, FPIF, CPFF, CPIF, CPAF, T&M, and hybrid models.
Collaborate with Subcontracts and Procurement to assess partner risk, establish prime contract flow-downs, and structure balanced subcontracting and small business participation plans.
Advise executives and senior leaders on deal structure, risk posture, and negotiation strategies for high-visibility opportunities.
Synthesize complex legal, financial, and programmatic information into clear, actionable guidance for stakeholders, including senior leadership and external customers.
Lead negotiations with Federal Contracting Officers and acquisition personnel during pre-award discussions, competitive ranges, and contract modifications, safeguarding SAIC's financial and operational interests.
Promote and share best practices in contracts management, negotiation, and proposal support to improve processes, compliance, and proposal quality.
Align contractual and pricing strategies across Capture, Program, Pricing, Finance, Subcontracts, Legal, and Operations.