Senior Contracts Manager (Aerospace)

Karman Space & Defense; Gulfport (MS); On-site; USD 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Vision

Life Insurance

401k

Tuition Reimbursement

Paid Holidays

Employee Referral Program

Job summary

Karman Space & Defense in Gulfport is seeking a Senior Contracts Manager to manage a portfolio of complex government and commercial contracts. This role involves supervising junior personnel, ensuring compliance, and providing negotiation support.

The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in contracts administration, strong negotiating skills, and a Bachelor's Degree. The position includes benefits like medical, vision, and 401k.

Qualifications

• 8-10 years of experience in contracts administration and management.
• Experience with government prime contracts and compliance.
• Ability to manage a complex workload independently.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of government and commercial contracts.
• Draft and negotiate contractual documents.
• Monitor contract performance obligations and communicate risks.

Skills

FAR/DFARS knowledge

Negotiation skills

Communication skills

Independent workload management

Legal and compliance risk identification

Leadership and mentorship

Microsoft Office Suite proficiency

ERP and CLM systems experience

NCMA professional certification

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Finance, or Accounting

Job description

The Senior Contracts Manager is responsible for managing a diverse portfolio of complex government and commercial contracts, supervising junior contracts personnel, serving as a subject matter expert on contract administration and compliance matters, and cross‑market collaboration within the Contracts function. Reporting to the Director of Contracts, this role provides experienced review and negotiation support for assigned agreements, ensures regulatory and contractual compliance across the assigned market segment, and identifies and escalates material risk items in accordance with the relevant Delegation of Authority policy. The Senior Contracts Manager operates with a high degree of independence and plays a key role in developing their team, building/implementing effective processes and ensuring compliance with contracting standards.

ABOUT US:

Karman Space & Defense provides concept‑to‑production solutions for mission‑critical systems on spacecraft, launch vehicles, missiles, hypersonics, and integrated defense systems. We believe that solving the industry’s most complex and mission‑critical challenges requires relentless determination and a willingness to push the boundaries of possibility. Karman Space & Defense brings to bear unparalleled production capabilities, unmatched engineering expertise, and unflinching analysis to render the impossible, possible.

COMPANY BENEFITS:

• Medical
• Vision
• Life
• 401k
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Paid Holidays
• Employee Referral Program

GENERAL SKILLS AND APTITUDE:

• Deep working knowledge of FAR/DFARS, government contract administration, and commercial contracting principles
• Strong negotiation skills and sound business judgment with ability to structure favorable business arrangements
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to translate complex contractual issues into clear guidance for non‑contracts stakeholders
• Demonstrated ability to manage a complex workload independently while supervising others
• High integrity with strong instincts for identifying and escalating legal and compliance risk
• Collaborative leadership style with a genuine commitment to team development and mentorship
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and experience with ERP and CLM systems
• NCMA CPCM, CFCM, or equivalent professional certification preferred

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Manage a portfolio of government prime contracts, and commercial agreements from capture through closeout
• Build/Manage relationships with Prime Contracts counterparts
• Work with cross functional teams including Finance, Business Development and Program Management to develop effective new business capture strategies
• Assist in the development, implementation and improvement of company‑wide Contract policy
• Draft and negotiate routine contractual documents using approved templates and playbooks; identify/escalate non‑standard or high‑risk terms to the Director of Contracts
• Review and approve minor deviations from approved playbooks within defined authority limits; document all approved deviations in the CLM system with rationale
• Process and coordinate contract modifications, amendments, task orders, and funding adjustments; ensure appropriate approvals are obtained prior to execution
• Monitor contract performance obligations, deliverables, funding levels, and milestones; proactively communicate risks to Program Management
• Assist subcontract/procurement teams with negotiation of terms as needed
• Develop program‑specific flow‑down terms applicable to prime contract requirements
• Lead or support proposal contract reviews for assigned pursuits, including identification of contractual risks and preparation of certifications
• Ensure compliance with FAR, DFARS, TINA, ITAR, and other applicable regulatory requirements across assigned market segment
• Conduct periodic contract performance and administrative compliance reviews for assigned market segment
• Identify and escalation high‑risk indemnification, IP (including patents), liability, data privacy, or export control issues
• Supervise assigned Contract Administrators; provide day‑to‑day guidance, task assignment, and quality review of work product
• Provide training and mentorship to junior contracts personnel on procedures, compliance requirements, and Company standards
• Maintain accurate and complete contract records in the CLM and ERP systems; generate metrics and management reports
• Perform other duties as assigned

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Finance, Accounting, or demonstrated successful work experience meeting minimum years; advanced degree a plus
• Minimum of 8‑10 years of progressive experience in contracts administration and management preferably in the Aerospace and Defense industry
• Substantial experience with government prime contracts and subcontracts, including FAR/DFARS compliance, Truthful Cost or Pricing Data Act (formerly TINA), and ITAR requirements
• Experience with Other Transactions, Undefinitized Contract Actions, Cost contracts, and other standard procurement agreements
• Experience supervising or mentoring contracts professionals preferred
• NCMA CPCM, CFCM, or equivalent professional certification preferred
• Must be a U.S. citizen

To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, certain positions may require applicants to be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:

Minimal travel may be required for this position

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

As a federal contractor, Karman Space & Defense is committed to compliance with all federal employment eligibility requirements. We participate in E-Verify, a web‑based system that allows enrolled employers to confirm the eligibility of their employees to work in the United States. As an E-Verify employer, federal compliance mandates that we require documentation to verify your identity and employment authorization upon hire.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities. The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.

Karman is committed to equal employment opportunity. We will not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment on any legally recognized basis (“protected class”) including, but not limited to race; color; religion; genetic information; national origin; sex; pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; age; disability; citizenship status; uniform servicemember status; or any other protected class under federal, state, or local law. Our management is dedicated to ensuring the fulfillment of this policy with respect to hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, recruitment advertising, pay, and other forms of compensation, training, and general treatment during employment