ABOUT DEFCON AI

RESILIENCE IN THE FACE OF DISRUPTION. DEFCON AI is an insights company that leverages artificial intelligence, mathematical optimization, data analytics, and software engineering for resilient optimization of complex systems.
In today’s dynamically changing world, DEFCON AI’s technology aligns outcomes with operational goals, better decision making, and empowers customers to anticipate assess, and mitigate the impacts of disruptions.

About the Role

As we expand our U.S. Marine Corps program, we are seeking a Program Contracts Manager to build and own the contract operations backbone that enables successful program execution.

The Program Contracts Manager will own contract operations, subcontract administration, milestone acceptance coordinator, invoice readiness and execution governance for a major US defense program.

You will build the systems, processes, templates, and operating rhythms that allow the program team to execute effectively while ensuring subcontractors, deliverables, invoices, modifications, and contractual obligations remain aligned. You will serve as the day-to-day owner of routine contract and subcontract execution.

What You'll Do

Own Contract & Subcontract Operations

Manage the full lifecycle of contracts and subcontracts, teaming agreements, and consulting arrangements
Draft, review, negotiate, and administer subcontract agreements and modifications
Translate prime agreement requirements into executable subcontract structures
Maintain subcontract records, deliverables, milestones, and commercial terms
Coordinate with program leadership and finance on business positions and negotiations

Drive Milestone & Invoice Readiness

Develop and manage milestone tracking and contract execution artifacts
Coordinate acceptance-package development across technical, program, and finance stakeholders
Build invoice-support packages and readiness documentation
Identify and flag contractual and compliance risks including terms ambiguity, flow-down gaps, undocumented scope changes, and invoice or acceptance exposure before they become program or legal issues
Maintain audit-ready records and submission documentation

Build Scalable Contract Operations

Design templates, trackers, governance processes, and escalation paths
Build process that fits where the program is today while laying the foundation for where it needs to go
Improve discipline around contract execution without slowing delivery
Establish standards for documentation, reporting, and contract governance
Operate independently and effectively without established playbooks, defined predecessors, or a contracts team to hand work off to

Support Program Leadership

Conduct change-impact assessments and modification analysis
Develop decision-ready recommendations for leadership review
Support customer correspondence, clarification requests, and issue resolution
Escalate complex issues with facts, options, and recommended courses of action

Required Qualifications

Experience administering and negotiating contracts and subcontracts in a U.S. defense contracting environment
Experience drafting, redlining, and negotiating contract language
Experience translating prime contract requirements into subcontract flow-downs
Experience supporting milestone-based deliverables and contract execution
Experience building lightweight repeatable processes in fast-moving or immature environments
Ability to operate independently within a matrixed organization
Comfortable operating in ambiguity, making defensible decisions without complete information, and adjusting as the program evolves
US Citizen

Preferred Qualifications

Experience supporting defense technology or software programs
Familiarity with Other Transaction (OT/OTA) contracts
Experience working with acceptance-based invoicing models
Experience supporting multi-party subcontractor ecosystems
Familiarity with DoW program execution environments
NCMA CPCM or CFCM

Why This Role Matters

This role sits at the center of program execution. You will help ensure that contracts, subcontracts, milestones, deliverables, and payments stay aligned while enabling technical and program teams to focus on mission delivery. The right candidate is a builder, operator, and problem-solver who enjoys creating order from complexity and establishing scalable systems in a rapidly growing company.

What We Offer:

A fully remote, results-based environment
Competitive salary, bonus, and equity package
100% employer paid, comprehensive health insurance including medical, dental, and vision for you and your family
Unlimited PTO, with your manager’s approval
Flexible work environment where you manage your work day
14 weeks of fully-paid parental leave

Salary Range: $110,000-$140,000. This represents the typical salary range for this position based on experience, skills, and other factors.

We’re an Equal Opportunity Employer: You’ll receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or on the basis of disability.

Applicant Data Disclosure

By submitting an application, you acknowledge that Defcon AI uses third-party service providers to facilitate its recruitment and hiring processes. These providers include applicant tracking systems, candidate verification platforms, and fraud detection tools (collectively, "Hiring Platforms"). Your application materials, including your résumé, cover letter, work samples, responses to application questions, and any other information you submit, may be transmitted to and processed by these Hiring Platforms for the following purposes:

Managing and administering your application throughout the hiring process;
Verifying the accuracy and authenticity of application materials, including by cross-referencing information you provide against publicly available sources and proprietary databases;
Identifying indicators of potentially fraudulent, fabricated, or materially misleading application content, including but not limited to discrepancies between submitted materials and publicly available professional profiles, geographic anomalies, and fabricated work histories.

Applications that are flagged through this process as containing indicators of fraud or material misrepresentation may be declined from further consideration. If you have questions about the status of your application or the evaluation process, please contact recruiting@defconai.com.

Defcon AI requires its Hiring Platform providers to process your information solely for the purposes described above and in accordance with applicable law. Your information will be retained only for as long as necessary to fulfill these purposes and any applicable legal obligations, after which it will be deleted in accordance with Defcon AI's data retention policies.

For more information about how your data is used, please refer to our Privacy Policy and Applicant Privacy Notice.

Program Contracts Manager

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