Senior Specialist, Subcontracts

L3Harris•Huntsville, AL

About The Position

The Senior Specialist, Subcontracts operates as a Supplier Program Manager (SPM), leading complex subcontract procurement activities in support of defense and aerospace programs. The role is responsible for cost, schedule, technical, and performance requirements for specialized materials, equipment, and services. It manages the full subcontract lifecycle—from acquisition strategy development, solicitation, proposal evaluation, negotiation, and award through post-award administration and closeout—while ensuring compliance with contractual, regulatory, and business requirements. With general oversight, the Senior Specialist serves as a key subcontracts subject matter resource and manages high-value, high-risk, and complex subcontracting efforts that directly affect program execution and customer commitments. The role works across program management, contracts, engineering, quality, finance, supply chain, and legal to develop subcontracting strategies, resolve supplier issues, mitigate risk, and achieve successful business outcomes. This position supports critical defense and aerospace programs in a highly regulated environment. The schedule is 9/80: employees work 9 out of every 14 days, totaling 80 hours, and have every other Friday off. Travel up to 25% may be required.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 6 years of prior relevant subcontracts experience; or a graduate degree and a minimum of 4 years of prior related subcontracts experience; or, in lieu of a degree, a minimum of 10 years of prior related subcontracts experience.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of supply chain management, lean manufacturing, assembly, and ATP processes.
Experience interpreting program management, engineering, and supplier demands in a continuously changing environment with minimal guidance.
Working capability with typical office computer programs for program management, including MS PowerPoint, MS Project, MS Excel, and MS Word.
Experience supporting supplier contracts above the TINA ($2M) threshold with minimal guidance.

Responsibilities

Lead subcontract activities for complex and specialized materials, equipment, and services supporting defense and aerospace programs.
Develop and execute subcontract strategies aligned with program objectives, customer requirements, compliance obligations, and business goals.
Prepare and review subcontract specifications, statements of work, sourcing plans, bid packages, and terms and conditions for complex procurements.
Lead supplier solicitations, conduct bidders’ conferences, manage proposal receipt and evaluation, and support source selection decisions.
Perform detailed cost and price analyses and evaluate proposals based on technical, schedule, financial, and performance considerations.
Lead negotiations for subcontract pricing, terms and conditions, schedule commitments, risk allocation, and other business provisions within delegated authority.
Oversee subcontract awards and administer subcontracts through the full lifecycle, including performance management, funding actions, modifications, claims support, and closeout.
Identify, assess, and mitigate subcontractor financial, technical, schedule, quality, and execution risks.
Resolve complex subcontract issues and develop mitigation or recovery plans with internal stakeholders and suppliers.
Provide subcontract guidance and strategic support to program teams, ensuring alignment with technical requirements, contractual obligations, and program schedules.
Oversee application of FAR, DFARS, customer flow-downs, and company policies to subcontract actions and supplier management activities.
Support fact-finding, audits, internal reviews, and compliance assessments related to subcontracting.
Drive continuous improvement of subcontract policies, procedures, tools, and processes to improve efficiency, compliance, and business performance.
May mentor, train, or informally lead less experienced subcontracts professionals.
May lead cross-functional initiatives or represent the subcontracts function in program reviews, management reviews, and customer-facing discussions.
May sign supplier agreements and purchase orders within delegated authority.