Senior Contracts Specialist - Aerospace | Defense

This requirement is mandatory for this position.

The Opportunity

StaffRight Associates is recruiting for a Senior Contracts Specialist to join an aerospace and defense organization, steering high-stakes negotiations and shaping how a varied mix of agreements covering technology solutions and professional services comes together. This is a fully on-site role based in Vienna, Virginia, with Redlands, California available as an alternate location; full relocation is paid for candidates moving to Redlands.

As the Senior Contracts Specialist, you will own agreements from the earliest proposal stages through final closeout, partnering with finance, legal, delivery, and business stakeholders to structure deals, contain risk, and keep every term tied to the organization’s goals. The portfolio spans commercial clients, public sector entities, and federal agencies, giving you a direct voice in contracting strategy, process refinement, and the organization’s overall risk posture.

What You’ll Do

• Steer every phase of the contract lifecycle, spanning RFP response and proposal preparation, negotiation, execution, and closeout.
• Draft, scrutinize, and negotiate sophisticated agreements, statements of work, and associated terms and conditions.
• Pinpoint and evaluate contractual, commercial, and operational exposure, then put targeted mitigation measures in place.
• Architect playbooks and standards that elevate contract governance and risk reduction.
• Partner with finance, legal, delivery, and other cross-functional groups to keep contract execution on track.
• Navigate the distinct contracting demands of commercial customers, public sector bodies, and federal agencies.
• Leverage expertise in FAR, DFARS, and related federal procurement regulations to keep agreements compliant.
• Streamline contracting processes, tools, and workflows to boost efficiency and consistency.

What You Bring

Required

• 5+ years of Contract Administration experience, with a track record of taking on progressively larger and more complex agreements.
• Proven results in Contract Negotiation and Contract Management across a broad variety of agreement types, structures, and terms.
• Solid command of Commercial Risk Management, Contract Law, and established Procurement Best Practices.
• Outstanding Written Communication and Verbal Communication skills, paired with strong Stakeholder Influence and Cross-Functional Collaboration.
• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline such as political science, legal studies, or business administration.
• Eligibility to work in the United States with no need for employer visa sponsorship (sponsorship is not available).

Preferred

• Master’s degree in political science, legal studies, business administration, or a comparable discipline.
• Background in Federal Contracting, including the terms and conditions typical of large systems integrators.
• Working knowledge of federal agencies and regulatory frameworks such as ITAR, Export Administration Regulations (EAR), FAR/DFARS, Small Business Administration (SBA) requirements, and Defense Security Service requirements.
• Hands-on negotiation of Subcontracting arrangements, Software Licensing terms, Cloud Computing agreements, Professional Services Agreements, and clauses governing Intellectual Property.

Compensation & Total Rewards

• Salary: $100,000–$120,000 annually (USD)
• Engagement: Full-time, direct hire; fully on-site in Vienna, Virginia, or Redlands, California (no remote option)
• Benefits: Top benefits package and 401(k); relocation paid, including full relocation for candidates moving to Redlands, California

Joining StaffRight Associates

When you partner with StaffRight Associates in your search for your next role, you’re doing more than pursuing a job, you’re aligning yourself with a team of experts committed to placing top-tier talent in truly impactful positions. We take pride in fostering professional growth and connecting forward-thinking individuals with organizations that value innovation and excellence. We look forward to showcasing your expertise in a way that resonates with our clients and opens the door to meaningful opportunities.