Contracts Manager

AeroVironment; Simi Valley (CA); On-site; USD 139,000 - 237,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) with company match

Flexible work schedule

9/80 work schedule

Paid holidays

Job summary

AeroVironment, Inc. is seeking a Contracts Manager to lead AV Loitering Munitions Systems contracts. You will guide bid, capture and negotiation processes, and ensure contract performance through lifecycle phases, with strong risk assessment and compliance focus.

You will collaborate with Program Management, Sales, Finance, and Legal to support new and sustaining products, ensuring policy compliance and efficient contract administration across a dynamic aerospace environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with 8 years of related experience.
• Master's degree with 6 years of related experience.
• Strong background in government contracts regulations (FAR/DFARS).
• Experience with contract types such as FFP, CPFF, CPIF, OTAs.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Travel up to 10% within the continental U.S.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic guidance on all contracts topics with urgency and competitive positioning.
• Serve as point-of-contact for the assigned customer portfolio and for pre-contract activities.
• Collaborate with Program Management, Sales, Strategy, Marketing, Finance and Legal on bid and contract activities.
• Manage and monitor performance of long-term contracts and assess obligations.
• Analyze modifications to contract terms and prepare risk reviews for management.
• Coordinate flow-downs of terms with all departments (PM, ENG, QA, Finance, etc.).
• Generate compliance matrices and recommend AV policy-aligned actions.
• Ensure compliance with FAR/DFARS, ITAR/EAR and related regulations.
• Evaluate proposals for accuracy and compliance; prepare submissions.
• Travel within the Continental U.S. up to 10% as required.

Skills

FAR/DFARS compliance

Contract negotiation

Attention to detail

Written and verbal communication

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

Job description

Worker TypeRegularJob DescriptionSummaryThe Contracts Manager supports and leads the mission of AV Loitering Munitions Systems (LMS) Contracts Department by providing excellence in Contracts Administration to internal and external customers. One possesses expert knowledge and is a subject matter expert in professional Contracts Administration within the aerospace and defense industry. The Contracts Manager develops the bid, capture and contract negotiation processes, and then ensures efficient performance throughout the life of each contract, supporting amendments and interpretations as necessary. Detail-orientation is key in this role. The Contracts Manager solves complex problems to make informed decisions collaborating with other functions.Position ResponsibilitiesProvide strategic guidance on all Contracts topics with urgency and competitive positioning in mindDelivers strong customer satisfaction. Serve as point-of-contact for assigned customer portfolio and on pre-contract and active contract activitiesWork closely with Program Management team and other functions including Sales, Strategy, Marketing, Finance, and the Legal team on bid and proposal preparation, contract negotiation, contract review and administration for new and sustaining products.Manages and monitors the performance of long-term contracts and agreements. Analyze and concisely summarize contractual obligations, commitments, and performance for internal stakeholders. Analyze the impact of modifications and revisions to contract terms and prepare recommendations and risk reviews for managementCoordinates flow-downs of terms and conditions with all functional departments including program management, engineering, product support, finance, quality, supply chain management, manufacturing, as required. Assist other Contracts Administrators in ensuring the customer is compliant with the terms and conditionsResponsible for generating compliance matrices and making recommendations in accordance with AV policies and procedures. Ensure compliance with contracting policies, laws and regulations, including but not limited to Federal Acquisition Regulations, Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplements, Cost Accounting Standards, Export Administration Regulations and International Traffic in Arms RegulationsEvaluates proposals for accuracy and compliance with AV Terms and Conditions and export regulations, prepares and submitsKey member of the contracts team, offering training and mentoring.Occasionally may be required to travel within the Continental U.S. 10% or less of the timeOther duties as assignedBasic Qualifications (Required Skills & Experience)Bachelor's degree with 8 years of professional experience Or Master's degree with 6 years of professional related experienceClearance Type: SecretStrong background in Government contracts regulations such as FAR/DFARSStrong background in various contract types such as FFP, CPFF, CPIF, OTAs, etc.Other Qualifications & Desired CompetenciesMasters Degree in Business or Legal field preferredDemonstrates exceptional organizational skills and handles various legal tasks according to work requirements with strong attention to detailExhibits strong written and verbal communication skills to collaborate with functional experts as well as all levels of employeesAble to excel in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment, where small teams share a broad variety of dutiesDisplays strong initiative and drive to accomplish goals and meet company objectivesTakes ownership and responsibility for current and past work productsIs committed to learning from mistakes and driven to improve and enhance performance of oneself, others, and the companyFocuses on teamwork and puts the success of the team above one's own interestsPhysical DemandsAbility to work in an office environment (Constant)Required to sit and stand for long periods; talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone keyboard (Frequent)Clearance LevelSecretThe salary range for this role is:$139,000 - $236,500AeroVironment considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the location, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, education/training, and key skills.ITAR Requirement:This position requires access to information that is subject to compliance with the International Traffic Arms Regulations (“ITAR”) and/or the Export Administration Regulations (“EAR”). In order to comply with the requirements of the ITAR and/or the EAR, applicants must qualify as a U.S. person under the ITAR and the EAR, or a person to be approved for an export license by the governing agency whose technology comes under its jurisdiction. Please understand that any job offer that requires approval of an export license will be conditional on AeroVironment’s determination that it will be able to obtain an export license in a time frame consistent with AeroVironment’s business requirements. A “U.S. person” according to the ITAR definition is a U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder), or protected individual such as a refugee or asylee. See 22 CFR § 120.15. Some positions will require current U.S. Citizenship due to contract requirements.Benefits: AV offers an excellent benefits package including medical, dental, vision, 401(k) with company matching, and flexible work schedule options. Depending on your business unit, role, and customer contract requirements, select programs may offer a 9/80 work schedule and paid holiday shutdown. For more information about our company benefit offerings please visit: http://www.avinc.com/myavbenefits.We also encourage you to review our company website at http://www.avinc.com to learn more about us.Principals only need apply. NO agencies please.About AV:AV isn’t for everyone. We hire the curious, the relentless, the mission-obsessed. The best of the best.We don’t just build defense technology—we redefine what’s possible. As the premier autonomous systems company in the U.S., AV delivers breakthrough capabilities across air, land, sea, space, and cyber. From AI-powered drones and loitering munitions to integrated autonomy and space resilience, our technologies shape the future of warfare and protect those who serve.Founded by legendary innovator Dr. Paul MacCready, AV has spent over 50 years pushing the boundaries of what unmanned systems can do. Our heritage includes seven platforms in the Smithsonian—but we’re not building history, we’re building what’s next.If you're ready to build technology that matters—with speed, scale, and purpose—there’s no better place to do it than AV.We are proud to be an EEO/AA Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/veterans. AeroVironment, Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and welcomes all qualified applicants. Qualified applicants will receive fair and impartial consideration without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic data, sexual orientation, gender identity or other legally protected status.ITAR