Federal Contracts Specialist

Aether Aerospace; Sarasota (FL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Aether Aerospace is seeking a Contracts Administrator to manage the full lifecycle of federal contracts and subcontracts across multiple business units. You will work with Program Management, Finance, and Legal to ensure compliance with FAR/DFARS and to support strategic growth.

The role requires strong experience in government contracting, proposal development, and negotiation. Based in a commutable location to Florida and other DoD hubs, the position offers stability and opportunities in a

Qualifications

• 5-7 years of federal government contract administration experience.
• Experience managing prime and subcontract contracts lifecycle.
• Strong knowledge of FAR/DFARS and government contracting principles.
• Experience with multiple contract types (CPFF, T&M, FFP, IDIQ, BPA).

Responsibilities

• Administer the full lifecycle of federal government contracts and subcontracts.
• Review, negotiate, interpret, and administer contract agreements for compliance.
• Monitor funding, expenditures, and period of performance.
• Prepare program financial reports and funding status updates.
• Coordinate with Finance to implement contract awards and invoicing requirements.
• Draft and administer NDAs, Teaming Agreements, MOUs, and other agreements.
• Lead negotiations for teaming and subcontract agreements.
• Ensure audit readiness and assist internal/external audits.
• Collaborate with Program Management, Finance, Pricing, and Leadership.

Skills

FAR/DFARS knowledge

Contract negotiation

Contract administration

Proposal development

Financial reporting

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration/Finance/Contracts Management/Legal Studies

Tools

JAMIS

Unanet ERP

Costpoint ERP

Job description

Start Date: Immediate JHNA, CTSi, and EXPANSIA have come together to form a Defense Technology platform named Aether Aerospace focused on delivering high-impact technologies, technology-enabled services and advanced manufacturing solutions to the U.S. Department of Defense and related national security customers. Backed by Falfurrias Management Partners, the platform brings together deep domain expertise across Army, Navy, and Air Force and Space Force programs, digital engineering, systems integration, and specialized manufacturing capabilities.

The combined organization operates as a multi-entity aerospace and defense technology and tech-enabled services and manufacturing enterprise positioned for scalable growth, operational excellence, and long-term value creation.

Overview

As a Contracts Administrator, you will serve as a key member of Aether's Corporate Contracts team, managing the full lifecycle of federal government contracts and subcontracts across multiple business units. This role partners closely with Program Management, Business Development, Capture, Pricing, Finance, Legal, and Executive Leadership to ensure contractual compliance while supporting strategic growth initiatives. The ideal candidate is experienced in federal government contracting and possesses a strong understanding of FAR/DFARS, proposal development, contract negotiation, subcontract administration, and contract closeout. This position requires excellent organizational skills, sound business judgment, and the ability to independently manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Full-time/Permanent Employee

Location:

Candidate must live within a commutable distance to one of the following areas: Patuxent River, MD, Huntsville, AL, Sarasota, FL, or Newport News, VA.

RESPONSIBILTIES

• Administer the full lifecycle of federal government prime contracts, subcontracts, task orders, purchase orders, modifications, and contract closeout activities.
• Review, negotiate, interpret, and administer standard and non-standard contract agreements while ensuring compliance with company policies and applicable federal regulations.
• Monitor contract funding, expenditures, burn rates, and period of performance to support proactive financial management and ensure contractual compliance.
• Prepare and distribute standardized program financial reports, dashboards, and funding status updates to Program Managers, Delivery Leaders, and Executive Leadership to support informed business decisions.
• Partner closely with Program Management, Delivery Leadership, Finance, and Project Controls to understand program financial performance, contractual funding limitations, revenue recognition impacts, and customer reporting requirements.
• Analyze contract financial data to identify funding shortfalls, cost trends, billing considerations, and contractual risks, providing timely recommendations to leadership.
• Serve as the authoritative contract management representative for assigned programs by ensuring contractual and financial records remain accurate, current, and aligned across contract management and ERP systems.
• Coordinate with Finance to ensure timely implementation of contract awards, modifications, funding actions, invoicing requirements, and revenue-related contract changes.
• Support proposal development efforts by reviewing solicitations, identifying contractual requirements, developing compliance matrices, and preparing contractual documentation.
• Prepare, review, negotiate, and administer Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs), Teaming Agreements (TAs), Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs), Consultant Agreements, and other business agreements.
• Draft, issue, and administer subcontractor Requests for Proposal (RFPs), Requests for Quotation (RFQs), subcontract awards, modifications, and closeout documentation, including appropriate FAR/DFARS flow-down requirements.
• Analyze contract terms, cost proposals, pricing information, delivery schedules, statements of work, and performance requirements to ensure accuracy and compliance.
• Advise management and program teams regarding contractual rights, obligations, risks, IP protections, ITAR and other compliance requirements throughout the contract lifecycle.
• Monitor contract performance to ensure compliance with contractual requirements, customer expectations, company policies, and government regulations.
• Prepare and coordinate contractual correspondence, modifications, notifications, deliverables, and status reports with internal stakeholders and government customers.
• Maintain accurate contract files, historical records, correspondence, and documentation within company contract management systems.
• Develop and improve standard operating procedures (SOPs), templates, and internal processes that increase efficiency and ensure consistent contract administration across the enterprise.
• Partner with Business Development and Capture teams during proposal development, competitive pursuits, and strategic growth initiatives.
• Lead negotiations for teaming agreements, subcontract agreements, strategic partnerships, and other collaborative business arrangements.
• Identify contractual risks and recommend mitigation strategies to leadership.
• Support internal and external audits related to government contracts and ensure documentation is audit-ready.
• Collaborate closely with Finance, Pricing, Program Management, Procurement, Security, and Executive Leadership to ensure successful contract execution.
• Perform additional contract administration and compliance duties as assigned.

Key Qualifications

Clearance: Ability to obtain Secret clearance

Education and Years of Experience: Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Finance, Contracts Management, Legal Studies, or a related field (or equivalent experience).

• 5-7 years of progressively responsible experience in federal government contract administration, including demonstrated experience managing federal government contracts within a government contracting company's corporate Contracts department. Candidates may possess a combination of government and contractor-side contracting experience; however, direct contractor-side experience is required.
• Experience supporting both prime contracts and subcontract administration throughout the full contract lifecycle.
• Strong working knowledge of FAR, DFARS, and government contracting principles.
• Experience administering multiple contract types including CPFF, T&M, FFP, IDIQ, BPA, and Task Orders.
• Experience supporting proposal development and contract negotiations.
• Ability to interpret solicitations, contract clauses, and government regulations.
• Experience developing subcontract documentation including RFQs, RFPs, subcontract agreements, modifications, and closeout packages.
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple contracts simultaneously.
• Strong analytical, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to compliance.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including SharePoint and TEAMS.

Preferred Additional Qualifications

• Experience supporting DoD or Federal Government contractors.
• Experience with JAMIS, Unanet ERP, or Costpoint ERP systems.
• National Contract Management Association (NCMA) certification (CFCM, CCCM, or CPCM).
• Experience supporting mergers, acquisitions, or multi-entity contract portfolios.
• Familiarity with Small Business regulations, subcontracting plans, OCI requirements, export compliance, and organizational compliance programs.

Aether Aerospace is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected characteristic.

There are a host of factors that can influence final salary including, but not limited to, relevant prior work experience, specific skills and competencies, geographic location, education, and certifications.