Senior Contracts Manager, Aerospace & Defense

AeroVironment, Inc.; Simi Valley (CA); On-site; USD 139,000 - 237,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) with company match

Flexible work schedule

9/80 work schedule

Paid holidays

Job summary

AeroVironment, Inc. is seeking a Contracts Manager to lead AV Loitering Munitions Systems contracts. You will guide bid, capture and negotiation processes, and ensure contract performance through lifecycle phases, with strong risk assessment and compliance focus.

You will collaborate with Program Management, Sales, Finance, and Legal to support new and sustaining products, ensuring policy compliance and efficient contract administration across a dynamic aerospace environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with 8 years of related experience.
• Master's degree with 6 years of related experience.
• Strong background in government contracts regulations (FAR/DFARS).
• Experience with contract types such as FFP, CPFF, CPIF, OTAs.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Travel up to 10% within the continental U.S.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic guidance on all contracts topics with urgency and competitive positioning.
• Serve as point-of-contact for the assigned customer portfolio and for pre-contract activities.
• Collaborate with Program Management, Sales, Strategy, Marketing, Finance and Legal on bid and contract activities.
• Manage and monitor performance of long-term contracts and assess obligations.
• Analyze modifications to contract terms and prepare risk reviews for management.
• Coordinate flow-downs of terms with all departments (PM, ENG, QA, Finance, etc.).
• Generate compliance matrices and recommend AV policy-aligned actions.
• Ensure compliance with FAR/DFARS, ITAR/EAR and related regulations.
• Evaluate proposals for accuracy and compliance; prepare submissions.
• Travel within the Continental U.S. up to 10% as required.

Skills

FAR/DFARS compliance

Contract negotiation

Attention to detail

Written and verbal communication

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

Job description

AeroVironment, Inc. is seeking a Contracts Manager to lead AV Loitering Munitions Systems contracts. You will guide bid, capture and negotiation processes, and ensure contract performance through lifecycle phases, with strong risk assessment and compliance focus.

You will collaborate with Program Management, Sales, Finance, and Legal to support new and sustaining products, ensuring policy compliance and efficient contract administration across a dynamic aerospace environment.