Contracts Manager

Computational Physics, Inc.; Springfield (VA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Computational Physics, Inc. (CPI) is seeking a full-time Contracts Manager to own the contracts function for our federal portfolio. You will advise leadership on FAR/DFARS, track funding, manage deliverables, and keep contract files audit-ready while supporting the bid and proposal process.

This solo role requires strong contract management experience, excellent communication, and U.S. citizenship. You will work closely with Finance and Senior Leadership to ensure on-time delivery and compliant

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business, finance, contract management, or related field, or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years of government contracts administration, program control, or program management in a federal environment.
• Knowledge of FAR/DFARS and contract types (FFP, CPFF, T&M, IDIQ).
• Experience developing cost/price proposals for federal solicitations.
• Familiarity with DCAA-compliant accounting and indirect rates.
• Experience with task-order finance tracking, funding/burn analysis, and contract-level P&L.
• Strong spreadsheet skills and experience with ERP/accounting systems (Unanet, Deltek Costpoint, QuickBooks).
• Excellent organization and communication; ability to manage multiple deadlines independently.
• U.S. citizenship and ability to obtain/maintain a U.S. Government security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Administer contract actions: track modifications, options, funding, and terms.
• Manage deliverables (CDRLs) with a calendar and inputs from technical staff.
• Maintain audit-ready contract files for DCAA/DCMA, CPSR, and security artifacts.
• Ensure FAR/DFARS compliance and advise leadership on contract law.
• Track task-order finances: funding, obligations, expenditures, burn rates.
• Own contract P&L and surface variances with recommended actions.
• Report staffing: headcount and labor utilization by contract.
• Coordinate invoicing with Finance to align with terms.
• Assemble proposals and track pipeline with Business Development.

Skills

FAR/DFARS

Contract administration

Cost/profit tracking

Proposal development

Unanet/Deltek

Security clearance

Education

Bachelor's degree in business/finance

Tools

Unanet

Deltek Costpoint

QuickBooks

Job description

Computational Physics, Inc. (CPI) is looking for a full-time Contracts Manager to own the contracts function for our growing federal portfolio. CPI is an employee-owned (ESOP) research and development company founded in 1984, providing scientific and information technology services to U.S. Government organizations and prime contractors, including the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) and the U.S. Naval Observatory (USNO). This is a single-incumbent role: you are the one person at CPI responsible for contracts. That means we need both the depth and breadth to advise leadership on complex FAR/DFARS questions and the willingness to roll up your sleeves and do the hands-on work yourself - from tracking burn rates to building a cost proposal. Working closely with Finance and Senior Leadership, you will keep our task orders on track financially, meet our reporting obligations, provide leadership with a clear, up-to-date picture of contract health, and play a hands-on role in our bid & proposal process. This is a high-visibility position for an experienced, detail-driven professional who wants to own the operational backbone of a federal contract portfolio.

What You’ll Do

Contract Administration & Compliance

• Administer contract actions - track modifications, option exercises, and incremental funding; maintain an accurate record of contract type (FFP, CPFF, TM, IDIQ/task order) and key terms.
• Manage deliverables (CDRLs) - maintain a deliverables calendar, coordinate inputs from technical staff, and ensure on-time, compliant submission.
• Keep contract files audit-ready - organize documentation to support DCAA/DCMA, CPSR, and CMMC/security requirements, including DD-254s and other compliance artifacts.
• Ensure compliance - with the FAR, DFARS, agency supplements, and applicable vehicle requirements; stay current and advise leadership on government contract law and compliance.
• Track task-order finances - monitor funding, obligations, expenditures, and burn rates across task orders and CLINs; watch remaining funding and period of performance, flag approaching ceilings, and prepare Limitation of Funds / Limitation of Cost notifications as required.
• Own contract P&L - track profit and loss at the contract and task-order level; reconcile revenue, cost, and margin against plan, and surface variances to leadership with context and recommended action.
• Report on staffing - maintain staffing and labor-category reporting by contract: headcount, utilization, level of effort against funded hours, and labor-mix compliance with contract terms.
• Deliver COR monthly reporting - prepare and submit accurate, on-time monthly reports to Contracting Officer's Representatives, including status, financials, deliverables, and any required programmatic narrative.
• Coordinate invoicing & billing - work with Finance/Accounting to confirm billing aligns with contract terms and funding, and help resolve invoice or payment issues.
• Produce management reporting - build and maintain dashboards covering funding remaining, backlog, revenue, margin, and headcount by contract for monthly and quarterly reviews; maintain risk and issue logs, and support mitigation tracking.
• Build cost proposals - develop pricing and prepare cost volumes consistent with the solicitation, CPI's rates and estimating practices, and DCAA expectations.
• Assemble and submit proposals - compile the full proposal package, coordinate inputs across technical, finance, and leadership, and manage on-time submission.
• Track the pipeline with Business Development - period-of-performance end dates, option windows, recompetes, and ceiling-increase needs.
• Growth opportunity - for the right candidate, this role can expand to managing the end-to-end bid & proposal process as proposal manager.

Subcontracts & Stakeholders

• Manage subcontractor and consultant actions - track subcontract task orders, funding, and deliverables, and administer subcontract agreements.
• Support program reviews and customer interactions - help prepare and run internal program reviews and customer-facing status meetings.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business, finance, contract management, or a related field - or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years of experience in government contracts administration, program control, or program management within a federal contracting environment.
• Significant knowledge of the FAR/DFARS and federal contract types (FFP, CPFF, T&M, IDIQ/task orders).
• Experience developing cost/price proposals for federal solicitations and assembling complete proposal submissions.
• Familiarity with DCAA-compliant accounting, provisional/indirect rates, and incurred-cost concepts.
• Demonstrated experience with task-order finance tracking, funding/burn analysis, and contract-level P&L.
• Strong spreadsheet skills and experience with a government-contracting ERP/accounting system (e.g., Unanet, Deltek Costpoint, QuickBooks).
• Excellent organization, written and verbal communication, and the ability to manage multiple deadlines independently with minimal oversight.
• U.S. citizenship and the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Active Secret (or higher) security clearance.
• Experience supporting DoD customers, particularly Navy, NRL, or USNO.
• Experience leading or managing the full bid & proposal process.
• PMP and/or NCMA certification (CFCM/CPCM).
• Experience with Unanet for project accounting and resource planning.

About CPI

We love science! We study the physical properties of the Earth and our atmosphere, neighboring planets, and the sun. We make the study of science practical by translating our findings into products, both hardware and software, that make our customer's lives easier and better. CPI has served various U.S. Government agencies, universities, international science organizations, prime contractors, as well as commercial customers for 40 years.

CPI is an employee-owned company

- our team members receive company stock. Employee ownership motivates and empowers increased productivity, contribution to the longevity of the business, improved retention, and enhanced employee engagement.

Why Work for Us?

• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits
• Positive, upbeat, and transparent company culture with opportunities for self-development and career advancement
• Employee-owned small business that allows team members to learn from each other and take ownership
• Professional development support including conference attendance and certification training
• 401(k), Profit Sharing and an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
• Disability insurance (short-term and long-term)
• Flexible spending account
• Health, Dental and Vision insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off

CPI is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please contact us and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Requests for accommodation will be considered on a case-by-case basis.