Principal Specialist, Contracts (Remote)

Overview

Date Posted: 2026-07-06

Location: Remote (United States - Iowa)

Position Role Type: Remote

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 front-end 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 partners to align contract execution with business objectives.
• Manage customer communications, contract changes, issue resolution, and flowdown of requirements; represent the organization professionally in negotiations and external interactions.
• Analyze and negotiate terms and conditions, identify and manage contractual and business risks, and ensure compliant execution of contract scope across multiple contract types including CPFF, CPIF, CPAF, FFP, and LOE.
• Handle routine and complex contract activities, respond to urgent requirements, and work independently while supporting team members as needed.
• 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 a minimum of 3 years relevant experience.
• Active and transferable U.S. government issued security clearance (DoD Secret) required prior to start date.
• 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 with customers in contract negotiations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Active or prior Top Secret (TS) or TS/SCI security clearance and experience in secure environments.
• Experience negotiating and administering complex U.S. Government and commercial contracts, including sole-source proposals subject to the Truthful Cost or Pricing Data Act, Performance-Based Payments, Progress Payments, and various agreement types such as OTAs, NDAs, PIAs, MOUs/MOAs.
• 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 Degree, Juris Doctor (J.D.), or relevant industry 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 newly hired employees.
• Generous 401(k) plan with employer matching and 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 U.S.-based remote role with primary work from home. Occasional travel to site locations may be required. Candidates residing in U.S. territories will have appropriate pay and benefits applied.

Note: Candidates may be required to attend select interview steps in-person at office locations regardless of remote status.

The application window is approximately 40 days from the posting date but may be adjusted based on business needs.

Equal opportunity employment is provided without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or other protected classes. Affirmative action is provided for qualified individuals with disabilities and protected veterans.