Job Title: Contracts Specialist
Job Description
This full-time Contracts Specialist role offers the opportunity to independently manage a wide range of commercial and government contracts from cradle to grave within the aerospace and defense industry. You will support critical, nationally relevant defense programs by administering contracts, guiding program teams on contractual obligations, and contributing to the continuous improvement of internal processes. The position sits on a small, tight-knit contracts team where your contributions are highly visible and directly influence program success and company growth.
Responsibilities
Draft, evaluate, negotiate, and execute a variety of contracts, including subcontracts, consulting agreements, purchase orders, NDAs, and other commercial agreements.
Support the evaluation, negotiation, and review of prime contracts with the United States Government, particularly Department of Defense (DoD) agreements.
Administer the full cradle-to-grave contract lifecycle, including RFP/proposal activities, contract execution, deliverables, compliance, modifications, funding requirements, and contract closeout.
Provide clear guidance to program teams regarding contractual rights and obligations, including interpretation of terms and conditions and associated compliance requirements.
Offer mentorship and guidance to junior contracts specialists, helping them develop their skills in government and commercial contracting.
Maintain detailed, accurate contract records and documentation to support auditability, compliance, and internal reporting needs.
Track contract deadlines, options, and key milestones to ensure timely action on renewals, modifications, deliverables, and funding actions.
Review, process, interpret, and administer contract modifications, including changes to scope, funding, and contractual requirements.
Support proposal development, including responses to RFPs, RFQs, and RFIs, ensuring contractual terms are aligned with company policies and risk tolerance.
Manage and interpret contractual requirements related to Firm Fixed Price (FFP) and Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contracts, as well as LOC/LOF or similar funding provisions.
Independently research and interpret FAR, DFARS, and other applicable regulations to ensure compliant contracting practices.
Assist with continuous improvement of processes, procedures, policies, and compliance documentation related to contracts and quality standards.
Collaborate diplomatically with internal and external stakeholders to resolve contractual issues, negotiate terms, and support program execution.
Demonstrate strong initiative by identifying contractual risks and opportunities and recommending practical solutions to leadership.
Contribute to a collaborative, teach each other team environment by sharing knowledge and best practices in both commercial and government contracting.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract position based out of San Diego, CA.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $48.00 - $58.00/hr.
Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.
Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: Medical, dental & vision Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital 401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) Short and long-term disability Health Spending Account (HSA) Transportation benefits Employee Assistance Program Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract position based out of San Diego, CA.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Nov 20, 2026.
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in San Diego,CA.
About Aston Carter
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® Platinum Award winner for both client and talent service.
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.
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 (%20astoncarteraccommodation@astoncarter.com) for other accommodation options.
San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.
