Senior Contracts Administrator

Karman Space & Defense; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid time off

Health Savings Account (HSA) with公司哦?

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)

Company-paid life and AD&D insurance

Disability coverage

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Karman Space & Defense is seeking an experienced Contracts professional in Washington, DC to manage cradle-to-grave contracts supporting DoD programs. You will negotiate, draft, and administer agreements with government agencies and prime contractors.

The role requires deep knowledge of FAR/DFARS, ITAR/EAR, and various contract types. You will work with program management, accounting, and supply chain to ensure compliance, risk mitigation, and on-time deliverables.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in contract administration, preferably aerospace/defense.
• Deep FAR/DFARS knowledge and common contract types (FFP, T&M, CPFF, CPAF, CPIF, OTAs).
• Experience negotiating FFP/CPFF and CAS‑covered contracts.
• Know ITAR and EAR export controls.
• Proficient in MS Office and Adobe Acrobat.
• Strong drafting, redlining, and stakeholder communication.

Responsibilities

• Supports cradle-to-grave contract administration, including NDAs and subcontracts.
• Reviews, redlines, and negotiates contracts and POs; applies flow-down clauses.
• Analyzes RFPs and cost volumes for FAR/DFARS compliance.
• Maintains contract files for audits and reports.
• Acts as primary contact for contract matters with gov't officers and primes.
• Ensures adherence to terms, FAR/DFARS, export controls, and deliverables.
• Collaborates with internal teams on compliance and risk.
• Supports cost and pricing reviews for policy compliance.
• Monitors contract performance and mitigates risks.
• Keeps updated on regulatory changes and training.
• Coordinates with programs, accounting, and supply chain for deliverables.
• Educates teams on contract rights and risk mitigation.

Skills

Contract administration

FAR/DFARS knowledge

Negotiation

Regulatory compliance

Communication skills

Independent work

Education

Bachelor’s degree or higher

Federal procurement experience

Tools

Microsoft Office

Adobe Acrobat

Job description

Job Description

Karman Space & Defense is a leader in the rapid design, development, and production of critical, next‑generation system solutions that align with the U.S. Department of War and its allies’ core mission priorities, and meet the accelerating demand for access to space. Building on nearly 50 years of success, we deliver Payload & Protection Systems, Aero/Hydrodynamic Interstage Systems, and Propulsion & Launch Systems to more than 80 prime contractors supporting over 130 space and defense programs.

Responsibilities

• Supports cradle‑to‑grave contract administration, including preparing, reviewing, and negotiating non‑disclosure agreements, teaming agreements, and subcontracts.
• Reviews, redlines, and negotiates contracts and purchase orders, ensuring compliance with terms and conditions and preparing flow‑down clauses.
• Analyzes requests for proposals (RFPs), solicitations, cost volumes, and contract volumes for compliance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS), and U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) regulations.
• Maintains comprehensive contract files for audits, compliance reviews, and internal reporting.
• Serves as the primary point of contact for contract‑related matters with government contracting officers, prime contractors, and internal stakeholders.
• Ensures adherence to contractual terms, FAR, DFARS, export control requirements, deliverables, and compliance obligations throughout contract execution.
• Collaborates with internal teams to ensure contractual and regulatory compliance.
• Participates in cost and pricing reviews to support compliance with regulations and company policies.
• Monitors contract performance and compliance, identifying and mitigating risks.
• Stays current on regulatory changes and participates in training related to contracts and compliance.
• Works with program management, accounting, and supply chain teams to meet contract deliverables and reporting requirements.
• Coordinates with suppliers and subcontractors to ensure compliance with contract terms and deliverables.
• Educates internal teams on contractual rights, obligations, and risk mitigation strategies.

Required Qualifications

• At least 10 years of experience in contract administration, preferably in the aerospace and defense industry.
• Strong working knowledge of FAR, DFARS, and contract types including firm‑fixed‑price (FFP), time‑and‑materials (T&M), cost‑plus‑fixed‑fee (CPFF), cost‑plus‑award‑fee (CPAF), cost‑plus‑incentive‑fee (CPIF), and other transaction agreements (OTAs).
• Experience negotiating FFP and CPFF contracts, cost accounting standards (CAS)‑covered contracts, and compliance with the Truthful Cost or Pricing Data Act.
• Knowledge of export control requirements including International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and Export Administration Regulations (EAR).
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and Adobe Acrobat.
• Strong contract drafting, redlining, and negotiation skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to engage diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision while managing multiple contracts.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, finance, law, or a related field, or at least 12 years of direct federal procurement or acquisition experience.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Experience working with major DoD agencies and prime contractors.
• Contract experience in space, missile defense, or hypersonic programs.
• Secret or higher clearance.
• This position requires U.S. person status under U.S. export control laws, including U.S. citizens and nationals, lawful permanent residents, refugees, and asylees.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid time off
• Health Savings Account (HSA) with company contribution
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Company‑paid life and AD&D insurance
• Short‑ and long‑term disability coverage
• Tuition reimbursement

Karman Space and Defense is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.