Contracts Manager

AeroVironment, Inc.; Virginia (MN); Hybrid; USD 95,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

AeroVironment, Inc. is seeking a Contracts Manager to oversee complex contract workflows across cross-functional teams, ensuring compliant and timely performance on aerospace programs.

The role requires deep knowledge of FAR/DFAR, strong drafting and negotiation skills, and a Secret clearance (Top Secret preferred). You will coordinate with operations, legal, and finance to manage multi-year agreements from bid to close-out.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration or related field.
• 6–8 years' aerospace/defense/government contracting experience.
• Secret level security clearance (Top Secret preferred).
• Expertise in Federal and International regulations and legal concepts.
• Experience with DoD/Federal prime contract administration/management.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with Operations, Contracts, Sales, Strategy, Finance, and Legal on bid/ proposal preparation, contract negotiation, and administration for products and services.
• Manage contract lifecycle: modifications, award activities, close-outs, and program support for multi-year contracts.
• Draft and negotiate NDAs, SAs, Subcontracts, MSAs, Licensing, and other contractual documents (FAR/DFAR, OTAs).
• Ensure agreements comply with regulations and company policies; assess and revise unfavorable clauses.
• Coordinate flow-downs of terms with program management, engineering, finance, quality, and supply chain.
• Liaise with DCMA and audits; serve as point of contact for internal/external audits.
• Maintain accurate contract files and data; prepare reports and status reviews.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Skills

Secret clearance

Contract drafting

Negotiation

FAR/DFAR knowledge

Government contracting

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration or related field

Tools

Contract management systems

Job description

Worker Type

Regular

Locations and Work Schedule

• We are flexible regarding work location, and you may be based to your choice of either Herndon, VA or Annapolis Junction, MD.
• We offer a flexible work schedule. In addition to offering a 9/80 work schedule, we also offer work from home days . The average/expectation is that you would be in the office 2-3x a week.

Summary

The Contracts Manager position requires complex thinking skills, with a deep understanding of contract management processes and regulations as they pertain to complex aerospace projects. As a Contracts Manager you will partner closely with cross-functional teams, including legal, finance, procurement, and engineering, to streamline contract workflows and mitigate risks. Your expertise will be essential in evaluating contract performance, managing relationships, and ensuring the execution of agreements that support business goals. The Contracts Manager develops the bid, capture and contract negotiation processes and documents, and then ensures efficient performance throughout the contract's lifecycle, supporting amendments and interpretations as necessary.

Position Responsibilities:

• Work closely with Operations, the Contracts team and other functions including Sales, Strategy and Marketing, Finance, and the Legal team on bid and proposal preparation, contract negotiation, contract review and administration for new and sustaining products and services.
• Perform contract management and administrative duties throughout the contract lifecycle including, but not limited to, proposal review and preparation, leading pre and post award negotiations, executing contract modifications, initiating contract close-outs and providing overall contracts support to programs with complex, multi-year contracts
• Responsible for drafting, evaluating, negotiating various agreements such as, Non-Disclosure Agreements, Sales/Purchase Agreements, Subcontracts, Consulting Agreements, License Agreements, Master Agreements, and other Contractual agreements, such as FAR based contracts, OTAs, etc.
• Responsible for ensuring that agreements/terms and conditions comply with all applicable regulations and requirements, while also adhering to company policies.
• Conduct a thorough review of contract terms and other agreements, identifying unfavorable clauses and incorporating necessary revisions to maximize protection for the Company. Analyze the impact of these modifications and revisions to contract terms and prepare recommendations and risk reviews for management.
• Manage and monitor the performance of long‑term contracts and agreements. Analyze and concisely summarize contractual obligations, commitments, and performance for internal stakeholders.
• Coordinate flow‑downs of terms and conditions with all functional departments including program management, engineering, product support, finance, quality, supply chain management, manufacturing, as required.
• Liaison with Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) and other audit agencies. May serve as the primary point of contact for all internal and external audits.
• Oversee maintenance of accurate files for each contract which will include original contract, all correspondences, changes/deviations, modifications/amendments, clarifications, etc.
• Review uploaded contracts related data in business systems to ensure data is accurate and complete.
• Oversee maintenance and retrieval of contract documents/files and validated data, preparation of reports and participation in status reviews
• Other duties, as assigned

Basic Qualifications (Required Skills & Experience):

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration or related field is required or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience
• Minimum of 6-8 years' experience performing duties and responsibilities in an aerospace/defense/ government contracting environment
• Presently hold a Secret level Security Clearance (Top Secret preferred).
• Current expertise in Federal and International regulations, and relevant legal concepts
• Significant experience in directly related International and DoD/Federal prime government contract administration/management.
• Entrepreneurial focus and ability to thrive and excel in a dynamic and technically focused environment.
• Demonstrated business acumen with experience in developing innovative solutions and a successful record of problem solving.
• An ability to translate between business and technical risk and communicate clearly to leadership.
• Proven Contract Drafting and Negotiation skills.
• FAR/DFAR knowledge; OTA knowledge, working knowledge of US Government acquisition laws and regulations
• Broad experience with a variety of contract types: firm fixed price, cost-type, commercial/non-commercial, production, development, and sustainment
• Broad experience with license, non‑disclosure and teaming agreements
• Demon