Job Title: Contracts Administrator

Job Description

The Contracts Administrator is responsible for independently managing a broad portfolio of commercial and government contracts from cradle to grave. This role supports prime contracts with the U.S. Department of Defense and leads commercial contracting activities, ensuring compliant, timely, and accurate execution of agreements in a fast-paced aerospace and defense environment.

Responsibilities

Draft, review, negotiate, and execute a variety of contracts, including subcontracts, consulting agreements, purchase orders, and nondisclosure agreements.Support the evaluation, negotiation, and review of prime contracts with the United States Government, particularly Department of Defense (DoD) contracts.Provide clear guidance to program teams regarding contractual rights, obligations, and risks, including interpretation of contract terms and conditions.Offer mentorship and guidance to junior contracts specialists to support their development and ensure consistent contracting practices.Manage the full contract lifecycle, including proposal support, contract execution, modifications, and contract closeout activities.Maintain detailed and organized contract records to ensure traceability, audit readiness, and compliance with internal and external requirements.Track key contract deadlines, deliverables, and milestones to support on-time performance and mitigate risk.Assist with the continuous improvement of internal processes, procedures, policies, and compliance documentation related to contracts and regulatory requirements.Support proposal development efforts, including responses to RFPs and RFQs, by reviewing terms, identifying risks, and recommending negotiation strategies.Collaborate closely with program managers, engineering, finance, and other stakeholders to align contractual commitments with operational and business objectives.Operate with a high degree of independence, quickly learning existing policies and procedures and contributing effectively without formal, structured training.Ensure adherence to FAR and DFARS requirements for both commercial and non-commercial acquisitions and support compliance across the contract portfolio.

Essential Skills

Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field.6+ years of experience in government contracting.Hands-on experience drafting, negotiating, and executing commercial contracts, including subcontract agreements, consulting agreements, nondisclosure agreements, and purchase orders.Working knowledge of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS), with at least 1–3 years of FAR/DFARS experience.Experience supporting U.S. Department of Defense contracts or working within an aerospace, defense, or related government contracting environment.Experience in contract administration, contract negotiation, and proposal development.Strong attention to detail and accuracy in reviewing and drafting contractual documents.Effective negotiation skills with the ability to balance business objectives and risk mitigation.Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to explain complex contractual concepts clearly.Strong critical and analytical thinking skills with the ability to identify issues and propose practical solutions.Ability to take initiative, manage multiple priorities, and perform effectively under pressure and tight deadlines.Proven ability to work independently with minimal supervision and without a formal training program.Ability to collaborate as a team player with a proactive, solutions-oriented attitude in a dynamic environment.Eligibility to obtain and maintain a Department of Defense personnel security clearance.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

Juris Doctorate degree or legal experience is preferred.Prior experience with the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) is beneficial.Experience in research and development contracting is a plus.Familiarity with ISO quality standards in a production or manufacturing environment.Expirience in the aerospace and defense industry, including understanding of compliance culture, program structures, and stakeholder dynamics.Experience working on nationally relevant defense programs or similar high-visibility initiatives.Ability to quickly adapt to new processes and contribute to continuous improvement efforts.Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of San Diego, CA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $48.00 - $58.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job\n classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be\n subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits\n available for this temporary role may include the following:\n\n
• Medical, dental & vision\n
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital\n
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available\n
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)\n
• Short and long-term disability\n
• Health Spending Account (HSA)\n
• Transportation benefits\n
• Employee Assistance Program\n
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

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

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on May 11, 2026.

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\n\nAbout Aston Carter:\n

Aston Carter provides world-class corporate talent solutions to thousands of clients across the globe. Specialized in accounting, finance, human resources, talent acquisition, procurement, supply chain and select administrative professions, we extend the capabilities of industry-leading companies. We draw on our deep recruiting expertise and expansive network to meet the evolving needs of our clients and talent community with agility and excellence. With offices across the U.S., Canada, Asia Pacific and Europe, Aston Carter serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® double diamond winner for both client and talent service.

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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.

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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 astoncarteraccommodation@astoncarter.com for other accommodation options.

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