Senior Contracts Administrator

About the Organization Mettle Ops is a woman-owned business experienced in defense program management, federal acquisitions, business development, engineering, analysis, reporting, and risk management with the mission of helping soldiers survive on the battlefield. Through transparency and grit, Mettle Ops delivers multidisciplinary, comprehensive Department of Defense engineering solutions to government and industry partners on a national scale with a mission to build business based on a philosophy of hard work and dedication.

Mettle Ops believes they have a high obligation to the warfighter, their home state of Michigan, their customers, their employees, their faith, and their place on this earth. Mettle Ops is inspired by courage and tenacity and so-named Mettle Ops.

EOE Statement We are an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.

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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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…