Principal Specialist, Contracts (Remote)

Overview

Date Posted: 2026-07-06

Location: Remote (United States - Iowa)

Security Clearance: Active and transferable U.S. government issued security clearance (DoD Secret) required prior to start date. U.S. citizenship is required.

This role involves leading contract management activities across the acquisition lifecycle for aerospace and defense contracts. The position requires expertise in drafting, negotiating, and administering various contract types, ensuring compliance with government regulations, and collaborating with cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead contract management including drafting, interpreting, negotiating, and administering Prime Contracts, Subcontracts, NDAs, PIAs, and related agreements.
• Provide contractual guidance and risk mitigation while ensuring compliance with ITAR, EAR, CUI, and corporate policies.
• Support proposal development by reviewing RFPs, conducting assessments, managing cost volumes, coordinating with pricing/estimating, and preparing submission documents under tight deadlines.
• Collaborate with Program Management, Engineering, Finance, Supply Chain, Legal, and other teams to align contract execution with business objectives.
• Manage customer communications, contract changes, issue resolution, and flowdown of requirements.
• Analyze and negotiate terms and conditions, identify and manage contractual and business risks.
• Execute contract scope across multiple contract types including CPFF, CPIF, CPAF, FFP, and Level of Effort contracts.
• Handle routine and complex contract activities, respond to urgent requirements, and work independently.
• Engage with Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) and Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA), support accounts receivable activities, and maintain coordination with internal and external customer teams.

Requirements

• University Degree with a minimum of 5 years relevant experience, or an Advanced Degree with at least 3 years of experience.
• Active and transferable U.S. government issued security clearance (DoD Secret) required prior to start.
• Experience in contracts management or related fields such as subcontracts, procurement, estimating/pricing, finance, or business/program management.
• Experience administering U.S. Government contracts under FAR and DFARS.
• Experience preparing and negotiating medium to high complexity proposals and contract actions, including sole-source proposals subject to the Truthful Cost or Pricing Data Act.
• Direct engagement experience with customers.

Preferred Qualifications

• Active or prior Top Secret (TS) or TS/SCI clearance and experience in secure environments.
• Experience with complex U.S. Government and commercial contracts, including sole-source proposals, Performance-Based Payments, Progress Payments, OTAs, NDAs, PIAs, MOUs/MOAs, and other industry-standard agreements.
• Familiarity with Intellectual Property, ITAR, EAR, handling Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), and compliance with FAR and DFARS.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, business judgment, and problem-solving skills.
• Proven ability to build and maintain high-performance internal and external customer relationships.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel) and PDF editing software.
• Advanced degree such as MBA, Master’s, J.D., or relevant certifications (NCMA, IACCM, DAWIA).

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary range: $86,800 - $165,200 USD (based on experience and qualifications).
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Three weeks of vacation for new employees.
• 401(k) plan with employer matching and additional retirement contributions.
• Tuition reimbursement and student loan repayment programs.
• Life insurance and disability coverage.
• Optional coverages including pet, home, auto, additional life and accident insurance, critical illness insurance, group legal, and ID theft protection.
• Birth, adoption, and parental leave benefits.
• Fertility and family planning support.
• Adoption assistance and autism benefits.
• Employee assistance program with counseling sessions.
• Wellness rewards program and virtual doctor visits.
• Child and elder care services.
• Second opinion medical program.
• Eligible for relocation assistance.

Location

This is a remote position based in the United States (Iowa). Employees primarily work offsite but may be required to travel to site locations as needed.

Additional Information

• Candidates may be required to attend select interview steps in person regardless of remote status.
• The role is U.S.-based; appropriate pay and benefits apply for candidates residing in U.S. territories.
• The application window is approximately 40 days from the posting date but may be adjusted based on business needs.
• Equal opportunity employer committed to affirmative action for individuals with disabilities and protected veterans.

Applicants must meet all security clearance and citizenship requirements prior to employment.