Trace3

Contract Manager - T3G

Trace3$110K — $130K *
Aerospace & Defense
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 5-7 years in contract management with a focus on government engineering services
  • Expertise in FAR and DFARS regulations
  • Experience with various contract types including FFP, CPFF, and IDIQ
  • Financial acumen related to contract funding and invoicing
  • Proficiency in enterprise contract administration tools like Deltek or JAMIS
  • Background in leading contract proposals and managing contractor performance
  • Bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as Business Administration or Contract Management

Responsibilities

  • Serve as the main contractual point of contact for assigned engineering contracts
  • Oversee all phases of contract lifecycle from kickoff to closeout
  • Interpret and communicate contract terms among stakeholders
  • Draft and negotiate contract modifications and adjustments with government authorities
  • Monitor financial aspects of contracts to prevent funding issues
  • Maintain organized and compliant contract documentation
  • Identify contractual risks and develop mitigation strategies

Benefits

  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
  • 401(k) plan with employer match
  • Training and development opportunities
  • Work-life balance with generous paid time off
  • Collaborative workplace culture with snacks and beverages
  • Secure workspace compliant with security protocols
Full Job Description
JOB SUMMARY:

The Contract Manager is a senior business and compliance professional responsible for the full lifecycle management of one or more government engineering service delivery contracts - from award through performance, modification, and formal closeout. Acting as the primary interface between the program delivery team, company leadership, legal counsel, and the government's Contracting Officer (KO), the Contract Manager ensures that all contractual obligations are met on time, within scope, and in full compliance with the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS), and all applicable contract terms and conditions.

SUMMARY OF ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
  • Serve as the primary point of contact and subject matter expert for all contractual matters on assigned engineering service delivery contracts, including Cost-Plus (CPFF/CPAF), Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP), Time-and-Materials (T&M), and IDIQ/Task Order vehicles.
  • Manage the full contract lifecycle from post-award kickoff through contract performance monitoring, contract modifications, option year exercises, and formal contract closeout in accordance with FAR 4.804 requirements.
  • Review, interpret, and communicate all contract terms, conditions, clauses, and special requirements to program leadership, operations teams, subcontractors, and functional support personnel.
  • Draft, negotiate, and execute contract modifications, Requests for Equitable Adjustment (REAs), Undefinitized Contract Actions (UCAs), and bilateral/unilateral modifications in coordination with the government Contracting Officer (KO).
  • Monitor contract funding levels, obligated amounts, and expenditure burn rates; provide proactive notification to the Program Manager and finance when funding thresholds (e.g., 75%, 85%, 100%) are reached to prevent Anti-Deficiency Act exposure.
  • Maintain accurate, complete, and auditable contract files in full compliance with FAR 4.8 documentation requirements and company internal control standards.
  • Ensure program operations remain in continuous compliance with FAR, DFARS, agency supplements, Cost Accounting Standards (CAS), applicable Executive Orders, and all other regulatory requirements governing contract performance.
  • Identify, assess, document, and escalate contractual risks and issues to program leadership and the Director of Contracts; develop and execute risk mitigation strategies and contingency plans.
  • Review all deliverables, Contract Data Requirements Lists (CDRLs), and Performance Work Statement (PWS) compliance outputs prior to government submittal to ensure accuracy and contractual conformance.
  • Support internal and external audits - including DCAA, DCMA, and Inspector General reviews - by preparing required documentation, facilitating access, and coordinating responses to audit findings and corrective action plans.
  • Manage contractor purchasing system compliance for all subcontract awards and modifications; ensure appropriate flow-down of required FAR/DFARS clauses to every tier of the supply chain.
  • Review Requests for Proposals (RFPs), Statements of Work (SOWs), and Performance Work Statements (PWSs) for new task orders and contract modifications; provide contractual risk assessment and redline input to proposal and capture teams.
  • Maintain a professional, responsive, and collaborative relationship with the government Contracting Officer (KO), Contracting Officer's Representative (COR), and Administrative Contracting Officer (ACO) as the authoritative contracts representative on the program.
  • Participate in program reviews, Quarterly Business Reviews (QBRs), Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) evaluations, and contract status meetings as the designated contracts subject matter expert.


REQUIRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

  • Deep working knowledge of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS), including clauses commonly found in engineering, operations & maintenance, and technical services contracts.
  • Proven ability to interpret, apply, and advise program and business development teams on complex contract terms, conditions, and regulatory requirements in a fast-paced, classified environment.
  • Experience administering multiple contract types: FFP, CPFF, CPAF, T&M, IDIQ, and BPA/task order vehicles across the full contract lifecycle.
  • Proficiency in contract administration systems and enterprise tools (e.g., Deltek Costpoint, JAMIS, SharePoint-based contract management platforms, and WAWF/InvoiceX).
  • Strong financial acumen: ability to read and interpret contract funding documents, Standard Form 30 modifications (SF-30), Standard Form 1034 invoices (SF-1034), and program financial performance reports.
  • Familiarity with DCAA audit requirements, Incurred Cost Submissions (ICS), and contractor purchasing system reviews (CPSR).
  • Prior experience as a Contract Manager or Senior Contracts Administrator on DoD engineering services, OM&S, C4I, or technical support contracts.
  • Familiarity with NORAD, Air Force, Space Force, or Intelligence Community contracting environments and their associated regulatory supplements and program-specific requirements.
  • Experience with large IDIQ/GWAC vehicles such as GSA OASIS+, SEWP V, CIO-SP4, STARS III, or Air Force NETCENTS-2.
  • Background supporting or leading contract proposals, including price/cost analysis, contractual terms review, representations and certifications, and teaming agreement execution.
  • Experience with CPARS submissions, management of contractor performance narratives, and responding to government-initiated performance evaluations.
  • Familiarity with Government Property management requirements under FAR Part 45 in an engineering services or systems sustainment context.
  • Demonstrated experience working with Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) and Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) as operational counterparts during program execution.
  • Knowledge of small business subcontracting plan requirements, SF-294/295 reporting, and Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Contract Management, Finance, Law, Public Administration, or a closely related field.


PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to:
  • Remain in a stationary position for extended periods of time.
  • Operate a computer, keyboard, and other office equipment using hands and fingers.
  • Communicate effectively in person, over the phone, and through electronic means.
  • Occasionally move about the office to access files, office equipment, and meeting spaces.
  • Lift and/or move up to 15 pounds as needed.
  • Maintain specific vision abilities, including close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

If working at a Trace3 office, the employee is frequently surrounded by other employees and their conversations on the telephone and in person. The noise level and indoor office temperature may vary.

This position is performed within a secure, classified workspace. Employees must comply with all applicable security protocols and access control procedures, including restrictions on personal electronic devices and the handling of sensitive information.

Actual salary will be based on a variety of factors, including location, experience, skill set, performance, licensure and certification, and business needs. The range for this position in other geographic locations may differ. Certain positions may also be eligible for variable incentive compensation, such as bonuses or commissions, that is not included in the base salary.

Estimated Pay Range

$110,000-$130,000 USD

The Perks
  • Comprehensive medical, dental and vision plans for you and your dependents
  • 401(k) Retirement Plan with Employer Match, 529 College Savings Plan, Health Savings Account, Life Insurance, and Long-Term Disability
  • Competitive Compensation
  • Training and development programs
  • Major offices stocked with snacks and beverages
  • Collaborative and cool culture
  • Work-life balance and generous paid time off

About Trace3

Trace3, Inc. is an Irvine, CA-based Information technology company and managed service provider. The company provides IT Operations Analytics, cloud computing, cybersecurity, machine learning, artificial intelligence, big data intelligence, Internet of Things consulting and data center services for businesses.
Learn more about Trace3

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