Senior Contracts Administrator

Mettle Ops is a Michigan-based defense contractor specializing in energetic systems, advanced manufacturing, and defense systems integration. The Senior Contracts Administrator position is designed to complement a contracts team led by a Contracts Manager with deep Government-side contracting expertise by adding a professional whose formative experience was built in industry — navigating contracts from the contractor's perspective, managing subcontractor ecosystems, and supporting business development cycles.

Reporting to the Contracts Manager, this role carries meaningful individual responsibility for day-to-day administration of commercial and Government contracts, subcontract management, proposal support, and regulatory compliance across Mettle Ops' active program portfolio. The ideal candidate understands what it means to be the contractor — managing risk, protecting margin, maintaining customer relationships, and operating inside a compliance framework, not just describing one.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Contract Administration

• Administer a portfolio of U.S. Government prime contracts (FFP, IDIQ, T&M, CPFF) and commercial agreements through full lifecycle — award through closeout

• Prepare, review, and negotiate contract modifications, statements of work, CDRLs, and engineering change proposals

• Monitor contract performance against cost, schedule, and technical baselines; flag deviations to program leadership

• Maintain contract files, correspondence logs, and compliance records in accordance with internal and regulatory requirements

• Coordinate with DCAA and DCMA on audits, property surveillance, and quality oversight activities

Subcontract Management

• Draft, negotiate, and administer subcontracts and purchase orders in compliance with FAR/DFARS flowdown requirements

• Conduct subcontractor source selections, evaluate proposals, and support make-or-buy analyses

• Monitor subcontractor performance; issue cure notices and corrective action requests as warranted

• Verify subcontractor SPRS scores, cybersecurity compliance, and small business certifications in SAM.gov prior to award

• Administer consent-to-subcontract requirements and obtain CO approval where required

Proposal & Business Development Support

• Lead or support cost and price volume development for competitive and sole-source proposals

• Prepare cost narratives, basis of estimate (BOE) documentation, and rate support packages

• Develop compliance matrices against RFP Sections C, L, and M; identify gaps and mandatory requirements

• Coordinate teaming agreements and NDAs in support of capture activities

• Interface with pricing, technical, and BD teams to produce cohesive, compliant proposals

Regulatory Compliance

• Maintain working knowledge of FAR, DFARS, and applicable agency supplements (AFARS, DARS, DLAD)

• Support CMMC Level 2 compliance maintenance; assist in SPRS assessment documentation

• Apply export control screening (ITAR/EAR) to agreements and technical data exchanges; coordinate with ITAR/EAR compliance consultant as required

• Ensure Buy American Act / Trade Agreements Act / Berry Amendment compliance on applicable procurements

• Support NISPOM (32 CFR Part 117) compliance activities where facility clearance or classified program access is required

Internal Collaboration & Training

• Serve as contractual point of contact for program managers, engineers, and finance personnel on contract-related matters

• Contribute to development and delivery of contracts training for non-contracts staff

• Maintain and update contract templates, standard clause libraries, and internal playbooks