Senior Federal Contracts Specialist

Aether Aerospace•Huntsville, AL

23h

About The Position

Aether Aerospace is a Defense Technology platform formed by JHNA, CTSi, and EXPANSIA. The organization delivers technologies, technology-enabled services, and advanced manufacturing solutions to the U.S. Department of Defense and related national security customers. The Senior Contracts Specialist is a full-time, permanent member of Aether’s Corporate Contracts team and manages the full lifecycle of federal government contracts and subcontracts across multiple business units. The position partners with Program Management, Business Development, Capture, Pricing, Finance, Legal, Procurement, Security, and Executive Leadership to support contractual compliance, successful execution, and strategic growth. The role covers prime contracts, subcontracts, task orders, purchase orders, agreements, modifications, funding actions, and closeout. It includes contract financial monitoring and reporting, proposal support, negotiation and administration of business agreements and subcontracts, compliance and risk advising, audit support, and maintaining accurate records in contract management and ERP systems. The specialist also develops procedures and templates to improve consistency and efficiency across the enterprise. The employee must live within commuting distance of Patuxent River, Maryland; Huntsville, Alabama; or Newport News, Virginia. The position has an immediate start date and requires the ability to obtain a Secret clearance.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, Contracts Management, Legal Studies, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
10–15 years of progressively responsible experience in federal government contract administration.
Demonstrated experience managing federal government contracts within a government contractor’s corporate Contracts department; direct contractor-side experience is required.
Experience supporting both prime contracts and subcontract administration throughout the full contract lifecycle.
Strong working knowledge of FAR, DFARS, and government contracting principles.
Experience administering CPFF, T&M, FFP, IDIQ, BPA, and task order contract types.
Experience supporting proposal development and contract negotiations.
Ability to interpret solicitations, contract clauses, and government regulations.
Experience developing subcontract documentation, including RFQs, RFPs, subcontract agreements, modifications, and closeout packages.
Excellent organizational skills and ability to manage multiple contracts simultaneously.
Strong analytical, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Strong attention to detail and commitment to compliance.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including SharePoint and Teams.
Ability to obtain a Secret clearance.
Must live within a commutable distance of Patuxent River, MD; Huntsville, AL; or Newport News, VA.

Nice To Haves

Experience supporting Department of Defense or other federal government contractors.
Experience with JAMIS, Unanet ERP, or Costpoint ERP systems.
NCMA certification such as CFCM, CCCM, or CPCM.
Experience supporting mergers, acquisitions, or multi-entity contract portfolios.
Familiarity with Small Business regulations, subcontracting plans, organizational conflict of interest requirements, export compliance, and organizational compliance programs.
Combination of government and contractor-side contracting experience.

Responsibilities

Administer the full lifecycle of federal prime contracts, subcontracts, task orders, purchase orders, modifications, and closeout activities.
Review, negotiate, interpret, and administer standard and non-standard contract agreements in compliance with company policies and applicable federal regulations.
Monitor contract funding, expenditures, burn rates, and periods of performance.
Prepare and distribute program financial reports, dashboards, and funding status updates to program and executive stakeholders.
Partner with Program Management, Delivery Leadership, Finance, and Project Controls on program financial performance, funding limitations, revenue recognition impacts, and customer reporting requirements.
Analyze contract financial data to identify funding shortfalls, cost trends, billing considerations, and contractual risks, and recommend actions to leadership.
Maintain accurate and aligned contractual and financial records across contract management and ERP systems.
Coordinate with Finance on implementation of contract awards, modifications, funding actions, invoicing requirements, and revenue-related contract changes.
Support proposal development by reviewing solicitations, identifying contractual requirements, developing compliance matrices, and preparing contractual documentation.
Prepare, review, negotiate, and administer NDAs, teaming agreements, MOUs, consultant agreements, and other business agreements.
Draft, issue, and administer subcontractor RFPs and RFQs, subcontract awards, modifications, and closeout documentation, including FAR/DFARS flow-downs.
Analyze contract terms, cost proposals, pricing information, delivery schedules, statements of work, and performance requirements for accuracy and compliance.
Advise management and program teams on contractual rights, obligations, risks, intellectual property protections, ITAR, and other compliance requirements.
Monitor contract performance for compliance with contractual requirements, customer expectations, company policies, and government regulations.
Prepare and coordinate contractual correspondence, modifications, notifications, deliverables, and status reports with internal stakeholders and government customers.
Maintain accurate contract files, historical records, correspondence, and documentation in company contract management systems.
Develop and improve SOPs, templates, and internal processes for efficient, consistent contract administration.
Partner with Business Development and Capture teams on proposal development, competitive pursuits, and strategic growth initiatives.
Lead negotiations for teaming agreements, subcontract agreements, strategic partnerships, and other collaborative business arrangements.
Identify contractual risks and recommend mitigation strategies to leadership.
Support internal and external government contract audits and maintain audit-ready documentation.
Collaborate with Finance, Pricing, Program Management, Procurement, Security, and Executive Leadership to support successful contract execution.
Perform additional contract administration and compliance duties as assigned.