Senior Manager, Contracts and Compliance

Axillon Aerospace•San Diego, CA

6d•Hybrid

About The Position

This leadership opportunity offers the ability to influence business strategy, strengthen compliance, and help deliver innovative aerospace solutions that make a difference. The Senior Manager, Contracts & Compliance is responsible for the administration, negotiation, execution, and lifecycle management of commercial and U.S. Government contracts while ensuring compliance with contractual, regulatory, and customer-specific requirements. This role partners with Program Management, Supply Chain, Legal, Finance, Operations, and Business Development to mitigate contractual risk, maintain strong customer relationships, and ensure supplier and subcontractor compliance throughout the contract lifecycle. The position also supports Government compliance initiatives including FAR/DFARS flow-down implementation, CPSR readiness, small business compliance, subcontract management, and contract governance. The position is a hybrid role working from the Axillon San Diego location and requires up to approximately 30% travel to Axillon locations, customers, and industry events.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in finance, engineering, business, or related field; advanced degree preferred.
8-12+ years of experience in civil and DoD aerospace marketplace; aerospace composites or advanced materials preferred.
Strong knowledge of FAR, DFARS, government contract administration, and contract flow-down requirements.
Experience supporting CPSR audits or similar government reviews.
Demonstrated success negotiating complex commercial and government agreements.
Excellent written, verbal, and executive communication skills.

Nice To Haves

Experience administering Small Business Subcontracting Plans preferred.

Responsibilities

Lead the negotiation, administration, interpretation, and execution of commercial and government contracts
Review solicitations, proposals, NDAs, Teaming Agreements, LTAs, Purchase Orders, and customer terms and conditions.
Identify, negotiate, and mitigate contractual risks including indemnification, warranties, limitation of liability, payment terms, liquidated damages, intellectual property, termination rights, and change management
Ensure contractual commitments align with operational capability, financial objectives, and business strategy.
Provide strategic contract guidance to executive leadership throughout the proposal and execution lifecycle.
Develop and maintain company contract governance processes and approval workflows.
Ensure proper implementation and administration of FAR, DFARS, and customer-required contract clauses.
Manage supplier and subcontractor contractual flow-down requirements, ensuring mandatory clauses are incorporated into purchase orders and subcontract agreements.
Support Contractor Purchasing System Review (CPSR) compliance, documentation, corrective actions, and audit readiness.
Partner with Supply Chain to ensure subcontract documentation complies with customer and government requirements.
Maintain contract files supporting customer, internal, and government audits.
Develop policies, procedures, and training promoting contractual compliance and sound business practices.
Partner with Business Development to support capture strategy, proposal development, and negotiations.
Collaborate with Supply Chain to ensure subcontract and supplier agreements reflect customer obligations.
Work closely with Operations and Program Management to proactively identify contractual risks.
Mentor contract professionals and establish standardized contract management processes.
Drive continuous improvement initiatives that strengthen contract compliance and reduce enterprise risk.