Contract Engineer Jobs in Novi, MI (NOW HIRING)

Ascent Aerospace - Inspiring the next generation of flight!
Ascent Aerospace is a world-renowned, single-source provider of production and automated assembly systems for the aerospace and defense industry. We provide high-precision advanced automated equipment as well as a full suite of both mold and assembly tooling required for the aerospace manufacturing market, including the largest Invar molds ever made - making us the largest tooling group in the industry. We work with our customers to develop their project and see it through, from process engineering to build and installation, to ensure it is an efficient and cost-effective solution. As a true, single-source integrator, we have proven tools to surpass our customer expectations. We have greater control of timing and schedules, which allows for 100% accountability, and avoids costly mark-ups, ultimately saving our customers money. The result: a group of businesses, each an industry leader within their own discipline, now acting as one truly integrated supply base.
SUMMARY OF POSITION
The Contracts Manager, Government & Commercial Operations is responsible for supporting and executing the company's contract management function across commercial and defense related business activities for a fast-paced, growth-oriented aerospace manufacturing and engineering organization.
This role focuses on the full contract lifecycle, including contract intake, drafting, review, negotiation support, execution, administration, change management, contract organization, repository discipline, and post-award operational support, with particular emphasis on government and commercial customer contracts, subcontract controls, FAR/DFARS-informed contract administration, and scalable process execution.
This position serves as a key operational partner to the VP, Contracts and works closely with finance, program management, project controls, supply chain, legal, and operations to improve contract visibility, searchability, compliance support, and execution quality across the business.
This role also supports evaluation, implementation, and governance of AI-enabled contract lifecycle management tools and helps train internal stakeholders on key contractual obligations, risk points, and operating disciplines.
This role is based in Macomb, Michigan and serves as the primary on-site contact for contract-related questions and coordination.
The role reports administratively to the CFO and functionally to the VP, Contracts, who retains ownership of Contract Management, Export Compliance, FSO/FCL responsibilities, and final authority over designated government-compliance matters.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
This document in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying the position.

• Lead day-to-day contract administration activities across the contract lifecycle, including intake, drafting, review, negotiation support, execution, amendment tracking, notices, change management, and closeout support for customer contracts.
• Review, draft, negotiate, and administer commercial and defense related customer contracts and related documents, including NDAs, purchase terms, teaming related documents, consulting agreements, licensing agreements, master agreements, and other contract vehicles.
• Support review and administration of subcontracts, supplier agreements, rental leases, and other non-customer agreements, with final ownership for designated non-customer agreements remaining with the VP, Contracts.
• Support defense customer contracting activities, including review of FAR and DFARS related terms, contract flow-down implications, cost-reimbursable and cost-plus contract administration requirements, disclosure-related obligations, and rate-audit support.
• Develop and maintain contract playbooks, clause summaries, intake processes, approval workflows, and administration procedures that improve consistency, speed, and control.
• Own contract cataloging, records retention support, repository administration, metadata discipline, and searchability to ensure that executed agreements and related records are complete, organized, and readily accessible.
• Lead the business-side evaluation, implementation, and day-to-day governance of contract lifecycle management and AI-enabled contract tools, including workflow design, tagging structures, clause organization, and user adoption support, while ensuring appropriate human review and escalation for higher-risk matters.
• Serve as the primary Michigan-based point of contact for contract questions, issue triage, and cross-functional coordination with program teams, project managers, project controllers, supply chain, and finance.
• Train project managers, project controllers, and other stakeholders on key contract clauses, operational obligations, compliance-sensitive provisions, and common commercial or government-contract risk issues.
• Support the VP, Contracts in matters involving ECCN/USML classification support, export compliance data gathering, ITAR-related process support, SAM.gov maintenance support, and other government-compliance activities, without initial responsibility for FSO/FCL duties.
• Coordinate fact gathering, issue summaries, and documentation for internal or external legal counsel on contract, dispute, claim, compliance, or other legal matters, and escalate sensitive or non-routine matters appropriately.
• Assist in internal and external audit support, including preparation of contract files, subcontract support documentation, flow-down evidence, change documentation, and corrective action tracking.
• Build redundancy through documentation, process standardization, cross-training, and knowledge transfer across the contract management function.
• Perform other related duties as assigned by management.

REQUIRED SKILLS, EDUCATION, AND EXPERIENCE
Any combination of education and experience providing the required skill and knowledge for successful job performance will be considered. Typical qualifications would be:

• Bachelor's degree in business, Finance, Contracts, Legal Studies, Supply Chain, or a related field required.
• Advanced degree or Juris Doctor preferred.
• Minimum 7 years of progressive experience in contract management, including meaningful experience in aerospace, defense, manufacturing, or other regulated government-contracting environments.
• Demonstrated experience with commercial and defense-related customer contracts, contract administration, and post-award execution support.
• Strong working knowledge of FAR, DFARS, contract flow-down requirements, and practical administration of government-informed commercial and defense contracts, including exposure to cost-plus or cost-reimbursable environments, disclosure requirements, and audit support expectations.
• Experience reviewing and supporting subcontracts and other non-customer agreements, including supplier agreements and related commercial instruments.
• Strong drafting, issue-spotting, negotiation support, and contract interpretation skills.
• Experience establishing or improving contract processes, templates, controls, and governance practices.
• Experience with contract repositories, CLM systems, document management tools, or AI-enabled contract tools strongly preferred.
• Familiarity with export compliance concepts, including ECCN/USML classification support, ITAR-sensitive contracting environments, and government registration support, preferred.
• Strong business and financial acumen, including the ability to understand the operational and profitability impact of contractual terms.
• Ability to work effectively across finance, operations, supply chain, project management, project controls, legal, and executive leadership.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint required.
• Must meet applicable export control requirements, including qualification as a U.S. Person where required by law or contract.
• Ability to obtain and maintain any required security clearance preferred, depending on program access requirements.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Ability to effectively handle tasks in a fast paced environment
• Reports faulty equipment and has the ability to make difficult decisions and seeks management's assistance when needed
• Able to work varied shifts, overtime and weekends when necessary
• Has confidence in leading processes, projects and looks for opportunities
• Ability to work with management team to help drive performance of location

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

• None

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

• As Necessary

WORKING CONDITIONS
Working conditions described here are representative of those that may be experienced by an employee on a daily basis while performing the functions of this job.

• Typically sits for extended periods at a computer workstation
• May access and work in the manufacturing plant
• While performing the duties of this job, employee may be exposed to moving mechanical parts, fumes and airborne particles
• The employee may be exposed to vibration
• The employee is occasionally exposed to caustic chemicals. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate
• May be required to travel to other site locations during the workday
• May be required to work weekends to meet department and business demands
• Work with safe manufacturing processes and understand that eyewear is mandatory in the manufacturing area.
• Knows that safety shoes are recommended in the manufacturing area

PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

• Must be able to sit, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.
• Must be able to see, talk, hear, touch, feel and reach with hands and arms.
• Must be able to frequently walk and stand for short periods of time
• Must be able to lift and move up to 35lbs, occasionally lift and move objects up to 50lbs.

BENEFITS

• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Short- and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Life Insurance
• AD&D Insurance
• PTO
• 401k Match

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
Employment is contingent upon successfully passing an employee reference check, criminal background check, and drug screening.
This position requires use of information that is subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). All applicants must be U.S. persons within the meaning of ITAR. ITAR defines a U.S. person as a U.S. Citizen, U.S. Permanent Resident (i.e. 'Green Card Holder').
Ascent Aerospace is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, genetic information, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected category under applicable federal, state, and local laws. If you have a disability and you believe you need a reasonable accommodation in order to search for a job opening or to submit an online application, please call toll-free +1 586-726-0500. This phone number is created exclusively to assist disabled job seekers whose disability prevents them from being able to apply online. Only messages left for this purpose will be returned. Messages left for other purposes, such as following up on an application or technical issues not related to a disability, will not receive a response.
No Unauthorized Referrals from Recruiters & Vendors
Please note that Ascent Aerospace does not seek or accept unsolicited resumes or offers from third party recruiters or staffing agencies associated with any published or unpublished employment opportunities. Any unsolicited information sent to Ascent Aerospace will be considered as unencumbered and free from any fee or charge whatsoever. Only members of our Human Resources Team have the authority to engage or authorize recruiting services, which must be agreed upon before the unsolicited resume or offer is received.