Contract Specialist

ZenaDrone Inc.; Maryland; On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision benefits

401k

Clearance support and professional dev

Job summary

ZenaDrone Inc. is seeking a Defense Contract Specialist to own the full lifecycle of DoD and federal government contracts, from solicitation review through award, modification, and close-out.

You will be the subject matter expert on FAR/DFARS compliance, interface with government COs and ACOs, and partner with BD and program teams to win and execute federal work. This role requires 4–5 years of federal contract experience, active Secret clearance, and NCMA CPCM/CFCM certification or active

Qualifications

• 4–5 years of federal government contract administration experience.
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Contract Management, Law, or related field.
• NCMA CFCM or CPCM certification, or active pursuit preferred.
• Active Secret clearance (or ability to obtain).

Responsibilities

• Manage cradle-to-grave lifecycle of DoD and federal government contracts (FFP, CPFF, CPAF, T&M, IDIQ).
• Review, interpret, and negotiate contract terms with government contracting officers.
• Ensure full compliance with FAR, DFARS, and agency-specific supplements across all active contracts.
• Lead contract kickoff meetings; maintain contract files and deliverable tracking.
• Prepare and submit REAs, contract modifications, and funding requests.
• Coordinate with finance on contract funding, billing milestones, and revenue recognition.
• Support proposal teams with contract risk review, Ts&Cs redlines, and pricing guidance.
• Identify and mitigate contractual risks; elevate issues to leadership proactively.
• Maintain working relationships with PCOs, ACOs, and DCMA representatives.
• Track regulatory changes and update internal policies accordingly.

Skills

Federal contract administration

FAR/DFARS knowledge

Contract risk review

Leadership / briefing

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business, Contract Management, Law or related field

NCMA CFCM or CPCM certification (preferred)

Tools

Deltek Costpoint

ERP systems for government contracts

Job description

ZenaDrone is an industry leader in advanced drone technology, specializing in aerial data capture and intelligent analysis solutions for agriculture, infrastructure, land surveying, and public safety. Our mission is to streamline field data collection and enhance operational efficiency using cutting-edge UAV platforms and sensor technologies.

Role Overview:

The Defense Contract Specialist owns the full lifecycle of government contracts — from solicitation review through award, modification, and close-out. You will be the subject matter expert on FAR/DFARS compliance, work directly with BD and program teams, and interface with government COs and ACOs. This role is critical to ZenaDrone's ability to win and execute federal business.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage cradle-to-grave lifecycle of DoD and federal government contracts (FFP, CPFF, CPAF, T&M, IDIQ)
• Review, interpret, and negotiate contract terms and conditions with government contracting officers
• Ensure full compliance with FAR, DFARS, and agency-specific supplements across all active contracts
• Lead contract kickoff meetings; maintain contract files and deliverable tracking
• Prepare and submit REAs, contract modifications, and funding requests
• Coordinate with finance on contract funding, billing milestones, and revenue recognition
• Support proposal teams with contract risk review, Ts&Cs redlines, and pricing guidance
• Identify and mitigate contractual risks; elevate issues to leadership proactively
• Maintain working relationships with PCOs, ACOs, and DCMA representatives
• Track regulatory changes and update internal policies accordingly

Required Qualifications:

• 4-5 years of federal government contract administration experience
• Deep working knowledge of FAR, DFARS, and DoD contracting regulations
• Experience with multiple contract types: FFP, CPFF, CPAF, T&M, IDIQ, BPAs
• Bachelor's degree in Business, Contract Management, Law, or related field
• NCMA CFCM or CPCM certification, or active pursuit preferred
• Active Secret clearance (or ability to obtain)
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; able to brief leadership and government stakeholders

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with DCAA audits, CAS compliance, and certified cost or pricing data submissions
• Prior work with drone, UAS, ISR, or defense technology programs
• Familiarity with ITAR and export control requirements
• Experience with Deltek Costpoint or other government contract ERP systems

Compensation and Benefits

• Competitive base salary plus performance-based incentives
• Full health, dental, and vision benefits
• 401k
• Clearance support and professional development funding
• Collaborative, mission-driven team environment