Contracts Manager - International

AEVEX Corp.; Solana Beach (CA); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

AEVEX Corp. is seeking an International Contract Manager in Solana Beach, CA to oversee DoD, DCS and FMS contracts. You will negotiate, review, and manage complex international agreements while ensuring compliance with FAR/DFARS and ITAR/EAR standards.

The role requires deep knowledge of international contracting, export controls, and cross‑cultural negotiation. Strong communication and leadership skills are essential as you collaborate with Legal, Finance, and program teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration or related field; advanced degree preferred.
• 8+ years of experience in contract management.
• Experience with U.S. Government contracting (FAR/DFARS) and international frameworks.
• Ability to obtain/maintain DoD security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Oversee full contract lifecycle for DoD, FMS, and DCS programs.
• Ensure compliance with U.S. and international laws (FAR, DFARS, ITAR/EAR).
• Negotiate and draft vendor, service, licensing, and confidentiality agreements.
• Assess and mitigate contract risks.
• Coordinate with program, legal, export compliance, finance, and supply chain teams.
• Mentor junior contract administrators.
• Provide training on contract management practices.
• Maintain strong external relationships with government and international partners.
• Identify opportunities to streamline processes.

Skills

Contract law

Negotiation

Risk management

Communication

Contract management

Cross-cultural communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

Contract management software

Microsoft Office

Job description

The International Contract Manager is responsible for managing and administering U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), Direct Commercial Sales (DCS), and Foreign Military Sales (FMS) contracts, ensuring compliance with U.S. Government acquisition regulations and company policies. This role involves leading the negotiation, execution, and oversight of complex international defense contracts and agreements. The position requires knowledge and expertise in international contracting, export control considerations, and working knowledge of foreign government and commercial contracting practices, and when to engage others such as Legal and Finance to address other risk considerations, including tax, employment, etc. The ideal candidate will possess deep knowledge of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), Defense FAR Supplement (DFARS), and DoD 5105.38-M (Security Assistance Management Manual), along with strong communication and cross-cultural negotiation skills.

Essential Functions

· Oversee the full contract lifecycle, monitoring performance, addressing issues or deviations, and ensuring fulfillment of all contractual obligations related to DoD, FMS and DCS programs.

· Ensure compliance with U.S. and non-U.S. laws, regulations (including ITAR/EAR, FAR, DFARS, and DoD 5105.38-M, anti-corruption), and company policies by staying current with applicable standards and guidance.

· Implement contract management policies, procedures, and best practices.

· Coordinate with program, legal, export compliance, finance, and supply chain teams to negotiate favorable contract terms and conditions and contract obligations are met.

· Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of contracts, including vendor agreements, service contracts, licensing agreements, and confidentiality agreements.

· Assess and mitigate risks associated with contract terms, conditions, and obligations.

· Identify, assess, and mitigate contractual risks and liabilities through proactive strategies and negotiation.

· Serve as the primary contractual point of contact, fostering positive relationships with government, international, and industry partners.

· Identify opportunities to streamline contract processes and improve efficiency.

· Provide training and support to internal stakeholders on contract management practices, and mentor junior contract administrators and share expertise on international contract regulations.

· Perform other duties as required.

Standard Essential Functions

· Regular and reliable attendance on a full time basis [or in accordance with posted schedule].

· Responsible for exhibiting professional behavior with both internal and external business associates that reflects positively on the company and is consistent with the company's policies and practices.

· Embodies AEVEX’s cultural values and aligns daily actions with department goals and company culture.

Qualifications and Competencies

· Strong understanding of contract law, negotiation principles, and risk management.

· Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.

· Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

· Proficiency in contract management software and Microsoft Office Suite.

· Professional certification in contract management (e.g., CPCM, CFCM, or equivalent) is a plus.

• Directs and provides expert knowledge in the day-to-day function of the department.

• Identifies, recruits, and retains top-notch talent.

• Champions AEVEX’s culture and empowers employees to take responsibility for their jobs and goals.

• Coaches, mentors, engage and develop the team, including overseeing new employee onboarding and providing career development planning and learning opportunities.

• Sets performance standards and encourages employee engagement and results through delegation, continuous feedback, goal setting, and performance management.

• Maintains transparent communication. Appropriately communicates organization information through department meetings, one-on-one meetings, and appropriate email, and regular interpersonal communication.

• Provides oversight and direction to the employees in accordance with AEVEX’s policies and procedures.

Education / Certifications

· Bachelor's degree in Business Administration is preferred, Legal Studies, or related field

· Advanced degree preferred.

Experience

· 8+ years of experience in contract management

· 3+ years of experience managing International Contracts

· Experience with U.S. Government contracting (FAR/DFARS) and international contracting frameworks (e.g., FIDIC, ICC, or foreign government procurement regulations).

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties the employee is:

· Constantly required to sit, and to reach to use computers and other office equipment

· Constantly required repetitive movements of wrists, hands, and/or fingers

For the purpose of this summary, occasionally is used to represent up to 1/3 of the time given to the work day, frequently represents 1/3 to 2/3 of the time and constantly represents 2/3 or more of the time.

Security Clearance

· Ability to obtain/maintain a Top-Secret DoD clearance, U.S. Citizenship required.

About AEVEX

AEVEX, headquartered in Solana Beach, California, supports the U.S. national security mission and partner nation needs around the world by providing full-spectrum aviation, remote sensing, and analysis solutions. The company's capabilities include custom design and engineering; rapid prototyping; sensor integration and sustainment; aircraft modification and certification; flight test instrumentation and support; mission operations service; advanced intelligence data processing, exploitation, and dissemination solutions; and tailored hardware and software mission-system tools. AEVEX uses agile and customized approaches to rapidly define, develop, and deliver specialized solutions for airborne special mission needs for the U.S. Government, partner nations, and commercial businesses. AEVEX has major offices in California, Florida, North Carolina, Ohio, and Virginia.

AEVEX provides a full suite of comprehensive benefits, including a 401(k)-retirement plan, comprehensive Medical, Dental, Vision, Disability and Life insurance group coverage with a portion of the premiums paid by the company, professional development funds, and an Employee Assistance Plan (EAP) with counseling, legal help, child and elder care support, among other benefits for qualified employees.

AEVEX is an Equal Opportunity employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, religious creed, color, sex (including pregnancy, breast feeding and related medical conditions), gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, military and veteran status, marital status, age, protected medical condition, genetic information, physical disability, mental disability, or any other protected status in accordance with all applicable federal, state and local laws.

Voluntary Self-Identification

For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey. Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiring process or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in a confidential file.

As set forth in AEVEX’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy, we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection. As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measure the effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categories is as follows:

A "disabled veteran" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service‑connected disability.

A "recently separated veteran" means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.

An "active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

An "Armed forces service medal veteran" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.

To be considered for this position, you must be a U.S. Person or, if not, fall within a legally recognized export control exception or authorization. If hired, you must be able to provide valid proof of such status.