Contracts Administrator

Karman Space & Defense; Gulfport (MS); On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

401(k) match

Paid Time Off

HSA with company contribution

FSA

Life and AD&D insurance

Short- and long-term disability

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Karman Space & Defense is seeking a Contracts Administrator to support the full lifecycle of government and commercial contracts. You will ensure contractual accuracy, maintain documentation, coordinate internal and external communications, and help teams understand and execute contract requirements to support program execution and compliance.

The role requires knowledge of FAR/DFARS, ERP/contract management systems, and strong MS Office skills.

Qualifications

• College degree preferred; minimum of four years of equivalent experience required.
• Knowledge of FAR, DFARS, and government contracting principles.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.
• Experience with ERP or contract/document management systems.

Responsibilities

• Administers government prime and commercial contracts from award through closeout.
• Serves as contracts point of contact for customers, prime contractors, and internal teams.
• Reviews solicitations, contracts, modifications, amendments, and purchase orders to identify requirements, risks, and compliance considerations.
• Drafts and administers routine contractual documents and escalates non‑standard or high‑risk terms as needed.
• Coordinates contract modifications, amendments, task orders, and funding actions, ensuring required reviews and approvals.
• Monitors performance obligations, deliverables, funding levels, periods of performance, reporting requirements, and milestones, communicating risks and action items.
• Supports interpretation and implementation of contractual requirements across functional areas.
• Assists with reviewing and negotiating contractual terms and flow‑down requirements for procurement, business development, and operations.
• Develops and maintains contract requirement matrices and flow‑downs to support compliance with prime contract obligations.
• Supports proposal activities by reviewing terms and conditions, analyzing solicitations, and identifying contractual, commercial, and compliance risks.

Skills

Contracting principles

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

MS Office

ERP systems

Job description

Karman Space & Defense is a leader in the rapid design, development, and production of critical, next-generation system solutions that align with the U.S. Department of War and its allies’ core mission priorities, and meet the accelerating demand for access to space. Building on nearly 50 years of success, we deliver Payload & Protection Systems, Aero/Hydrodynamic Interstage Systems, and Propulsion & Launch Systems to more than 80 prime contractors supporting over 130 space and defense programs.

This role is part of our Maritime Defense Systems business, which delivers integrated solutions with decades of proven performance across submarine, surface, and autonomous naval platforms supporting high-priority national defense programs. Our bow-to-stern capabilities include acoustic and sonar protection systems, propulsion systems, advanced composite structures, missile subsystems, canisters and launchers, and autonomous underwater vehicle subsystems. From concept through production, we combine engineering, materials expertise, specialized manufacturing, and large-scale testing to deliver mission-ready systems that reduce technical risk and support long‑term operational performance.

In this role, you will support contract administration throughout the full lifecycle of government and commercial contracts. You will ensure contractual accuracy, maintain documentation, coordinate internal and external communications, and help teams understand and execute contract requirements. Your work will support program execution, timely contract actions, and compliance with prime contract obligations.

Schedule

• The work schedule follows a 4×10 configuration: Monday through Thursday, 6:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with every Friday off.

Responsibilities

• Administers government prime and commercial contracts from award through closeout.
• Serves as a contracts point of contact for customers, prime contractors, and internal teams.
• Reviews solicitations, contracts, modifications, amendments, and purchase orders to identify requirements, risks, and compliance considerations.
• Drafts and administers routine contractual documents and escalates non‑standard or high‑risk terms as needed.
• Coordinates contract modifications, amendments, task orders, and funding actions, ensuring required reviews and approvals.
• Monitors performance obligations, deliverables, funding levels, periods of performance, reporting requirements, and milestones, communicating risks and action items.
• Supports interpretation and implementation of contractual requirements across functional areas.
• Assists with reviewing and negotiating contractual terms and flow‑down requirements for procurement, business development, and operations.
• Develops and maintains contract requirement matrices and flow‑downs to support compliance with prime contract obligations.
• Supports proposal activities by reviewing terms and conditions, analyzing solicitations, and identifying contractual, commercial, and compliance risks.

Required Qualifications

• College degree preferred; minimum of four years of equivalent experience required.
• Knowledge of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS), and government and commercial contracting principles.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.
• Experience with enterprise resource planning (ERP) or contract/document management systems.

Preferred Qualifications

• Certified Professional Contracts Manager (CPCM), Certified Federal Contracts Manager (CFCM), or equivalent certification from the National Contract Management Association (NCMA).

Physical Requirements

• Regularly walking, standing, and moving throughout manufacturing or warehouse environments.
• Ability to lift items weighing up to 50 lbs.
• May involve bending, stretching, lifting, stooping, turning, twisting, pushing, pulling, climbing, or working in enclosed areas.
• Work may occur in hot or cold environments with low to moderate noise levels and potential dust exposure.
• May require use of personal protective equipment such as safety glasses, gloves, hearing protection, respirators or dust masks, protective footwear, and protective clothing.
• May require overtime, non‑standard hours, nights, or weekends. The essential functions of this position must be performed with or without reasonable accommodation.

This position requires U.S. person status under U.S. export control laws, including U.S. citizens and nationals, lawful permanent residents, refugees, and asylees.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid time off
• Health Savings Account (HSA) with company contribution
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Company‑paid life and AD&D insurance
• Short‑and long‑term disability coverage
• Tuition reimbursement

Karman Space and Defense is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.