Subcontracts Administrator IV

Aston Carter; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 147,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage

401(k) retirement savings plan

Paid Time Off and company holidays

Tuition reimbursement and professional

Employee assistance and wellness

Career advancement opportunities

Internal training and development

Job summary

Aston Carter in San Diego, CA is seeking a Subcontracts Administrator IV to own end-to-end subcontract strategy and execution for advanced aerospace and defense programs. This senior role offers autonomy and visibility across Engineering, Program Management, Finance, and Operations.

You will shape supplier strategy, manage risk, and drive successful program execution, negotiating complex agreements and managing high-value packages with minimal supervision.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience managing cradle-to-grave subcontracts within a government contracting or defense environment
• Strong FAR and DFARS knowledge
• Advanced cost and price analysis experience
• Proven success negotiating complex subcontract agreements and supplier relationships
• Experience supporting multiple contract types, including: FFP, CPFF, T&M, Labor Hour, Incentive-Based Contracts
• Strong understanding of subcontract compliance, flow-down requirements, and contract administration
• Ability to independently manage high-value, complex subcontract packages with minimal supervision
• Excellent communication, presentation, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities

Responsibilities

• Lead cradle-to-grave subcontract activities, including solicitation, proposal evaluation, negotiations, award, administration, and closeout
• Develop subcontracting strategies that align with program objectives, schedules, and business goals
• Manage complex procurements involving hardware, software, payloads, radar systems, antennas, and specialized services
• Evaluate supplier proposals for technical adequacy, pricing, risk, and contractual compliance
• Conduct detailed cost and price analysis using labor rates, historical pricing, benchmarking, escalation factors, and competitive analysis
• Lead negotiations involving pricing, delivery schedules, terms & conditions, risk allocation, and performance requirements
• Manage supplier performance and drive resolution of technical, quality, schedule, and compliance-related issues
• Administer subcontract modifications, changes, options, and amendments throughout the contract lifecycle
• Ensure compliance with FAR, DFARS, subcontract flow-down requirements, and internal procurement policies
• Partner with Engineering, Program Management, Finance, and leadership teams to support critical program activities
• Identify and mitigate supplier, schedule, financial, and contractual risks
• Support continuous improvement initiatives that strengthen procurement processes and subcontract management practices

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain, Contracts, Engineering, or related field

Job description

Subcontracts Administrator IV? Strategic Subcontract Leadership | ? Advanced Aerospace & Defense Programs | ? High-Impact Procurement Role

Ready to take ownership of complex, high-value subcontracting efforts that directly support cutting-edge aerospace and defense programs? We're seeking a Subcontracts Administrator IV to lead end-to-end subcontract strategy, supplier negotiations, and procurement execution for highly technical products, services, and systems.

This is a senior-level role offering significant autonomy, visibility, and influence across Engineering, Program Management, Finance, and Operations teams. You'll play a key role in shaping supplier strategy, managing risk, and driving successful program execution.

What You'll Do

• ? Lead cradle-to-grave subcontract activities, including solicitation, proposal evaluation, negotiations, award, administration, and closeout
• ? Develop subcontracting strategies that align with program objectives, schedules, and business goals
• ? Manage complex procurements involving hardware, software, payloads, radar systems, antennas, and specialized services
• ? Evaluate supplier proposals for technical adequacy, pricing, risk, and contractual compliance
• ? Conduct detailed cost and price analysis using labor rates, historical pricing, benchmarking, escalation factors, and competitive analysis
• ? Lead negotiations involving pricing, delivery schedules, terms & conditions, risk allocation, and performance requirements
• ? Manage supplier performance and drive resolution of technical, quality, schedule, and compliance-related issues
• ? Administer subcontract modifications, changes, options, and amendments throughout the contract lifecycle
• ? Ensure compliance with FAR, DFARS, subcontract flow-down requirements, and internal procurement policies
• ? Partner with Engineering, Program Management, Finance, and leadership teams to support critical program activities
• ? Identify and mitigate supplier, schedule, financial, and contractual risks
• ? Support continuous improvement initiatives that strengthen procurement processes and subcontract management practices

What We're Looking For

Extensive experience managing cradle-to-grave subcontracts within a government contracting or defense environment

Strong FAR and DFARS knowledge

Advanced cost and price analysis experience

Proven success negotiating complex subcontract agreements and supplier relationships

Experience supporting multiple contract types, including:

• FFP

• CPFF

• T&M

• Labor Hour

• Incentive-Based Contracts

Strong understanding of subcontract compliance, flow-down requirements, and contract administration

Ability to independently manage high-value, complex subcontract packages with minimal supervision

Excellent communication, presentation, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills

Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities

Preferred Qualifications

• Aerospace, defense, or highly regulated industry experience
• Experience supporting technical procurements involving hardware, software, payloads, radar systems, or other advanced technologies
• Experience working within Integrated Product Teams (IPTs)
• Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain, Contracts, Engineering, or related field
• Experience partnering closely with Engineering, Program Management, Finance, and Executive Leadership
• Strong understanding of supplier risk management and procurement strategy development

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of San Diego, CA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $133610.00 - $133610.00/yr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage 401(k) retirement savings plan Paid Time Off and company holidays Tuition reimbursement and professional development opportunities Employee assistance and wellness programs Career advancement opportunities within a growing aerospace and defense organization Internal training and development resources

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of San Diego, CA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 31, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in San Diego,CA.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [e-mail] ([e-mail]) for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.