The Contracts and Compliance Leader will oversee contract management processes and ensure organizational compliance with legal, regulatory, and ethical standards. This senior role is critical in minimizing risk, safeguarding company interests, and fostering a culture of integrity and accountability across the aerospace and defense operations.
Responsibilities
- Draft, review, negotiate, and manage agreements with customers, suppliers, and partners (FFP, CPFF/CPAF, T&M, IDIQ, OTA, NDAs, Teaming, Subcontracts, Licensing, DPAs).
- Ensure all agreements align with company policies, risk management standards, and regulatory requirements (FAR/DFARS flowdowns, IP/data rights, export, cybersecurity).
- Stand up and steward a centralized contract repository and obligation tracking (renewals, options, deliverables).
- Provide clear guidance to program managers and executives on interpretations, risks, and mitigations. Lead disputes, amendments, renewals, and terminations.
- Develop, implement, and monitor compliance programs, policies, and procedures.
- Design and lead an integrated compliance framework covering ITAR/EAR, OFAC sanctions, anti-corruption (FCPA/UK Bribery Act), FAR/DFARS, DCMA CPSR readiness, counterfeit parts prevention, human-trafficking clauses, data privacy, and records retention.
- Monitor regulatory changes and drive policy updates, training, and internal audits; report risks and findings to leadership.
- Lead the global insurance program (GL, property, product liability, cyber, aviation/space where applicable) to meet contractual obligations while optimizing cost and coverage.
- Conduct investigations, corrective actions, and continuous-improvement initiatives; embed compliance controls into everyday workflows and systems.
- Lead compliance training and awareness programs for employees.
- Partner with engineering, operations, supply chain, finance, and leadership to protect the business, enable speed, and embed integrity in daily operations.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, or related field; JD/MBA and/or compliance certifications (CPCM, CFCM, CCEP, CIPM) preferred.
- 10+ years of progressive experience in contract management, compliance, or legal operations, with at least three years in a leadership role.
- Expert knowledge of contract law and government/aerospace regulatory frameworks (FAR/DFARS, ITAR/EAR) and industry standards (AS9100/ISO 9001).
- Proven success implementing contract lifecycle processes, controls, and tools; excellent negotiation and stakeholder management.
- Strong judgment, clear written/oral communication, and a problem-solving mindset.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in Aviation, Aerospace & Defense sector preferred but not essential.
- Prior experience supporting NASA, DoD, or Tier 1 aerospace / defense primes.
- Experience with contract repository software.
Benefits
- Company paid employee medical insurance
- Company paid employee dental insurance
- Company paid employee vision insurance
- Retirement plan participation (eligibility required)
- Paid sick leave
- Paid vacation
- Paid holidays
- Discretionary bonuses
Compensation
$135,000 to $175,000
Work Arrangement
Hybrid — Riverside, CA, Ontario, CA — Partial remote flexibility
