Contracts Manager

About the role

The Contracts Manager leads the review, negotiation, administration, and closeout of government and commercial contracts supporting Skyeton's aerospace and defense business. The position serves as the primary point of coordination for contractual matters across proposals, awards, program execution, changes, and closeout, helping the company meet customer commitments while protecting its financial, operational, and intellectual property interests.


This role partners with executive leadership, Business Development, Program Management, Finance, Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, and legal counsel. Success requires sound business judgment, strong knowledge of defense contracting, accurate records, and the ability to explain contract requirements and risks clearly in a fast-growing organization.


What you'll do

• Manage the contract lifecycle for assigned U.S. government, prime contractor, commercial, and international customer agreements, from opportunity review through final closeout.

• Review solicitations, requests for proposals and quotations, statements of work, specifications, terms and conditions, and award documents; identify obligations, exceptions, ambiguities, and business risks.

• Lead contract negotiations involving scope, pricing structure, payment, delivery, acceptance, warranties, liability, indemnification, termination, disputes, confidentiality, and intellectual property, coordinating with legal counsel as needed.

• Prepare and negotiate nondisclosure agreements, teaming agreements, contract modifications, and other business agreements using approved templates and review processes.

• Assess applicable Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS), agency provisions, and customer requirements; translate applicable clauses into actionable responsibilities.

• Partner with proposal teams on compliance matrices, contractual exceptions, representations and certifications, pricing assumptions, and required internal approvals before submission.

• Conduct contract kickoff reviews and maintain an obligations register covering deliverables, milestones, reporting, notices, funding, options, acceptance requirements, and key dates.

• Administer fixed-price, cost-reimbursement, time-and-materials, and indefinite-delivery agreements and associated orders, as applicable to Skyeton's portfolio.

• Monitor scope, funding, period of performance, delivery schedules, and contractual limits; coordinate timely notices and escalate potential overruns, delays, or performance concerns.

• Manage changes and modifications; document scope impacts and support negotiation of equitable adjustments or claims with Program Management, Finance, and legal counsel.

• Partner with Supply Chain to identify and communicate applicable subcontract flow-downs and support review of supplier and subcontract terms.

• Coordinate with Finance on billing milestones, payment terms, contract funding, revenue-related documentation, and resolution of payment or acceptance issues.

• Coordinate with responsible specialists on export controls, international transactions, cybersecurity and controlled information requirements, government property, and other contract-specific obligations.

• Maintain complete, secure contract files, negotiation records, approvals, correspondence, amendments, and version history; support audits, reviews, and customer inquiries.

• Serve as the contractual point of contact for customers and contracting representatives within delegated authority; route technical, legal, and commercial decisions to the appropriate owners.

• Prepare contract status reports and concise risk summaries for leadership; improve templates, approval workflows, obligation tracking, and contract management practices.

• Support closeout by confirming completion of deliverables, final invoicing, property disposition, required releases, and record retention with responsible departments.

• Provide practical contract training to internal teams; perform other related duties as assigned. Execute agreements only within documented signature authority.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business administration, contract management, finance, supply chain, legal studies, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of relevant education and experience.

• Five or more years of progressively responsible contract administration or management experience, including U.S. government or defense industry contracts.

• Demonstrated experience negotiating and administering contracts with government agencies, defense prime contractors, or aerospace customers.

• Working knowledge of FAR and DFARS requirements, contract types, proposal requirements, flow-down clauses, modifications, and closeout processes.

• Ability to interpret complex contract language, identify commercial and compliance risks, and recommend practical solutions in coordination with internal stakeholders and legal counsel.

• Understanding of pricing structures, funding, payment terms, delivery and acceptance requirements, data rights, intellectual property, and confidentiality provisions.

• Strong written and verbal communication, negotiation, organization, and analytical skills; ability to manage competing deadlines and confidential information.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and contract tracking or document management systems; ability to maintain accurate, auditable records.

• Ability to work independently, collaborate across functions, and establish effective customer relationships in a growing manufacturing business.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with UAS, avionics, aircraft manufacturing, defense technology, or other complex engineered products.

• Experience supporting both prime contracts and subcontracts, development and production programs, and international defense sales.

• Certified Professional Contracts Manager (CPCM), Certified Federal Contracts Manager (CFCM), Certified Commercial Contracts Manager (CCCM), or comparable credential.

• Familiarity with other transaction agreements, intellectual property and technical data rights, government property administration, and contract audit support.

• Experience coordinating contractual requirements involving ITAR/EAR, controlled unclassified information, cybersecurity, or foreign military sales.

• Experience establishing contract management processes and systems in a startup or rapidly expanding organization.

Skills and Competencies


Contract negotiation and administration • Government contracting • Risk assessment and escalation • Customer focus • Financial and business judgment • Accurate documentation • Cross-functional collaboration • Candid communication and accountability


Benefits

• Competitive compensation commensurate with experience.

• Paid Time Off (PTO) and a 401(k) plan with company match.

• Company-paid employee medical coverage, plus dental and vision insurance, subject to plan terms.

• Career growth opportunities within a growing aerospace organization supporting mission-critical unmanned aircraft systems.

Work Environment


Work is primarily performed in an office environment with regular collaboration across engineering, manufacturing, finance, and program teams. Visits to manufacturing facilities and customer or supplier locations may be required. Domestic and international travel may be required based on business needs. Duties involve computer work, reviewing detailed documents, and participating in meetings. Essential functions may be performed with or without reasonable accommodation.


Equal Opportunity Statement


Skyeton is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic. Reasonable accommodations are available for qualified applicants and employees.


This position may involve access to export-controlled items, technical data, or customer information. Employees must meet applicable access requirements. Any required background screening or customer or government clearance requirements will depend on the position's assigned work.


About Skyeton, Inc

Skyeton is an aerospace and defense technology company focused on the design, production, and support of advanced unmanned aerial systems. At our growing Fayetteville, North Carolina operation, employees help establish and scale U.S.-based manufacturing capabilities that support demanding customer missions.

Company Culture

Skyeton combines the energy of a growing organization with the discipline required in aerospace manufacturing. We value teamwork, accountability, practical problem-solving, precise execution, and a willingness to improve. Our people make a difference, and every employee contributes directly to product quality, operational readiness, and customer success.