Contracts Manager

Systemstechnologyresearch; Arlington (VA); On-site; USD 139,000 - 191,000; Full time

Job summary

STR is seeking a Contracts Manager to lead a team of contracts professionals supporting DoD and IC programs. You will provide strategic direction, drive operational excellence, and collaborate with senior leadership to achieve business goals.

The role includes managing lifecycle contract work, ensuring compliance with FAR/DFARS, and advising executives on risk and strategy in a dynamic defense contracting environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a field related to contracts or business.
• 7+ years of Federal government contracting experience with DoD and IC contracts, including supervisory experience.
• Active Secret clearance required; TS/SCI eligibility desirable; U.S. citizenship required.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and manage a team of contracts professionals, including hiring, performance management, and development.
• Oversee full lifecycle contract management across a diverse portfolio of government contracts; ensure quality and compliance.
• Collaborate with business, technical, and functional stakeholders to support growth and program performance.
• Develop and maintain external relationships with customers, primes, subcontractors, and suppliers to support objectives.
• Lead development and review of compliant, competitive proposals with stakeholders.

Skills

Contract management

Team leadership

Federal contracts

DoD/IC experience

Negotiation

Compliance

Export controls

AI in contracts

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

Tools

MS Office

Contract management systems

Job description

About the Role

STR is seeking a highly motivated candidate with federal contract management experience to join our growing Contracts & Supply Chain team as a Contracts Manager.

As a Contracts Manager, you will lead and develop a team of contracts professionals supporting STR’s diverse portfolio of DoD and Intelligence Community (IC) programs. You will provide strategic direction, ensure operational excellence, and build team capability while partnering with senior leadership to drive business outcomes. This manager‑level role carries significant responsibility for team performance, professional development, and organizational impact in a dynamic defense contracting environment.

What you will do

• Lead, mentor, and manage a team of contracts professionals, including hiring, performance management, and professional development.
• Oversee full life‑cycle contract management across a diverse portfolio of government contracts, ensuring quality, compliance, and timely execution.
• Work closely with business, technical, and functional stakeholders to support business growth objectives and strong program performance.
• Develop and maintain effective external relationships with customers, primes, subcontractors, and suppliers to support program objectives and strengthen STR’s business partnerships.
• Direct the development of compliant, competitive business proposals; provide strategic guidance and final review of solicitation responses prepared by your team in collaboration with customers, suppliers, and stakeholders.
• Advise executive leadership on contractual rights, obligations, and risks; serve as the escalation point for complex contractual interpretations and business decisions.
• Ensure maintenance of official contract records and timely response to company data calls; establish and monitor processes for contract documentation and compliance.
• Oversee negotiation and execution of strategic agreements (NDAs, teaming agreements, ACAs, licenses) and personally lead high‑value or complex negotiations.
• Experience using AI‑enabled tools and a strong willingness to learn and apply AI to drive efficiency and improve quality and effectiveness in Contracts and Supply Chain processes.
• Ensure team compliance with FAR/DFARS, regulatory requirements, and company policies; implement training and quality assurance processes to maintain compliance standards.
• Provide strategic counsel to Program Managers and business leaders on contract strategy, risk, and negotiation approaches.
• Collaborate with Program Management, Finance, Engineering, Operations, senior management, and customer counterparts to support program and business objectives.
• Identify and drive process improvements within the Contracts function to enhance efficiency, compliance, and business outcomes.
• Build team capability through coaching, mentoring, and creating development opportunities; conduct performance reviews and manage career progression for all direct reports.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree and 7+ years of Federal government contracting experience with DoD and IC contracts, including 3+ years in a supervisory or team lead role (or Master's degree and 5+ years of experience).
• Active Secret clearance required, TS/SCI eligibility highly desirable (U.S. citizenship required)
• Expert knowledge of FAR/DFARS, contract law, and export control regulations (ITAR, EAR). Proven ability to interpret and apply federal acquisition policies
• Experience with multiple contract types and vehicles, teaming/NDAs/CRADAs/ACAs, and commercial terms including IP and data rights.
• Cross‑functional experience with Program Management, Finance, Engineering, and Operations; ability to assess/communicate contractual risk and translate complex terms for business stakeholders.
• Strong negotiation skills with a track record of achieving balanced outcomes.
• Proven people manager with experience hiring, developing, and retaining high‑performing teams; ability to provide constructive feedback, resolve conflicts, and drive accountability.
• Proactive problem‑solver who manages competing priorities effectively; track record of leadership and process improvement.
• Proficiency with MS Office and contract management systems.

Pay Information

Full-Time Salary Range: $139,000.00 - $191,000.00

The salary range listed is based on external market data. Offers are based on factors, such as but not limited to, the candidate’s experience, education, training, key skills/critical skills, security clearances, and prevailing market and business conditions.

STR is a growing technology company with locations near Boston, MA, Arlington, VA, near Dayton, OH, Melbourne, FL, and Carlsbad, CA. We specialize in advanced research and development for defense, intelligence, and national security in: cyber; next generation sensors, radar, sonar, communications, and electronic warfare; and artificial intelligence algorithms and analytics to make sense of the complexity that is exploding around us.

STRis committed to creating a collaborative learning environment that supports deep technical understanding and recognizes the contributions and achievements of all team members. Our work is challenging, and we go home at night knowing that we pushed the envelope of technology and made the world safer.

STR is not just any company. Our people, culture, and attitude along with their unique set of skills, experiences, and perspectives put us on a trajectory to change the world. We can't do it alone, though - we need fellow trailblazers. If you are one, join our team and help to keep our society safe! Visit us at www.str.us for more info.

STRis an equal opportunity employer. We are fully dedicated to hiring the most qualified candidate regardless of race, color, religion, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

If you need a reasonable accommodation for any portion of the employment process, email us at [e-mail] and provide your contact info.

Pursuant to applicable federal law and regulations, positions at STR require employees to obtain national security clearances and satisfy the requirements for compliance with export control and other applicable laws.