Contracts Principal

SAIC; Colorado Springs (CO); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

SAIC is seeking a cleared Contracts Principal to manage contracts and proposals within the Air Force, Space and Intelligence Business Group. This onsite role is based in Colorado Springs, CO or El Segundo, CA and requires independent, proactive contract leadership.

The successful candidate will partner with Contracting Officers and acquisition specialists, lead negotiations, and apply OCI mitigation, OTAs/CSOs, and data rights considerations to protect SAIC's interests while delivering customer

Qualifications

• Experienced with federal government contracting
• Familiar with OTAs, CSOs, prototype proposals
• OCI identification and mitigation
• Strong stakeholder relationship management and negotiation with Contracting Officers

Responsibilities

• Interface with Contracting Officers and acquisition specialists; lead negotiations and protect SAIC's interests
• Advise on OTAs, CSOs, and prototypes; assess IP rights, data rights, costs and long-term program implications
• Understand NTDC landscape and teaming implications for competitive positioning
• Prepare OCI mitigation plans and coordinate with contracts management
• Interpret contractual documents; advise leadership on terms, rights, and obligations

Job description

SAIC has an opening for a cleared Contracts Principal . This position is being offered onsite in either Colorado Springs, CO or El Segundo, CA.

About SAIC's Business Management Organization

SAIC's Business Management function encompasses the full acquisition value chain - from customer engagement and strategy development on the sell side, to program execution, strategic alliances, supply chain management, and subcontractor development on the buy side, to internal finance. Our team of dynamic acquisition professionals provides critical support across key business areas, including Mission IT, Integration, Engineering Services, SETA, and Professional Services, serving both external and internal customers.

Role Overview:

SAIC's Business Management organization is seeking an experienced and highly capable Contracts Principal to manage contracts and proposals within the Air Force, Space and Intelligence Business Group, specifically supporting the Defense and Civil Space Market. The successful candidate will serve as a strategic partner to key stakeholders throughout the capture, proposal, and contract execution phases, bringing a high level of federal government contracting expertise and a proactive, solutions-oriented mindset. The ideal candidate is self-directed and highly capable of independent work, while maintaining a clear awareness of their boundaries and a willingness to engage manager guidance when appropriate. They are confident, organized, detail-oriented, and skilled at building collaborative relationships while managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as a primary customer-facing interface with Contracting Officers and acquisition specialists; cultivate and maintain strong, trust-based relationships at all levels of the customer organization; demonstrate interpersonal agility across a wide range of customer personalities and communication styles; lead negotiations with a solutions-oriented mindset - recognizing that some positions must be held firmly while others present opportunities for mutually beneficial outcomes; pursue resolutions that protect SAIC's interests while leaving the customer assured they have been heard, respected, and well-served; exercise sound judgment in knowing when to commit to a position in the room and when to take an issue back for further review.
• Demonstrate solid proficiency with innovative and alternative acquisition mechanisms, including Other Transaction Authorities (OTAs), Commercial Solutions Openings (CSOs), and prototype project proposals; advise internal stakeholders on the features, trade-offs, and real-world implications of each vehicle across intellectual property rights, data rights, competitive positioning, cost and pricing considerations, and long-term program implications; understand how SAIC's scale, past performance, and enterprise capabilities position the company competitively within these environments.
• Demonstrate familiarity with the non-traditional defense contractor (NTDC) landscape and how it intersects with OTA and other innovative acquisition vehicles; understand how SAIC positions itself relative to NTDCs in these environments and contribute meaningfully to teaming and competitive positioning discussions.
• Apply a thorough understanding of Organizational Conflict of Interest (OCI) identification, assessment, and mitigation; independently author OCI mitigation plans, including initial drafts and updates in response to emergent concerns or evolving program circumstances; review completed plans with contracts management prior to submission to program leadership, ensuring plans are well-reasoned, accurate, and defensible throughout the program lifecycle.
• Demonstrate the ability to review, analyze, and interpret contractual documents with a depth of understanding that goes beyond procedural compliance; assess adherence to company policy, government specifications, and master agreement requirements while recognizing the practical, real-world legal implications of contractual language and obligations; advise business and program leadership on contractual rights, obligations, and terms and conditions with confidence, while exercising the professional judgment to recognize when an issue warrants escalation to contracts management or SAIC's in-house legal counsel.
• Educate internal and external partners on contracting strategies, marketplace dynamics, and competitive approaches; share insights that elevate team thinking and clearly communicate trade-off considerations.
• Apply a strategic mindset focused on driving innovation and adapting to an