Contract Manager Jobs in Wheat Ridge, CO (NOW HIRING)

Description

About Barber-Nichols:

Barber-Nichols (BN) is a premier provider of custom turbomachinery solutions serving the Defense, Aerospace, Cryogenics, and Energy industries. Our team consists of industry leaders who collaborate closely with equally accomplished customers to deliver technologies that advance their markets and establish enduring partnerships. At BN, we foster a results-driven environment that values professional growth, rewards achievement, and supports innovation. From designing the blower for NASA's Dragonfly mission to Saturn's moon Titan to engineering critical components for the U.S. Navy's MK-48 program, BN's portfolio spans some of the most exciting and impactful projects in the world. For those seeking to contribute to impactful projects alongside a highly skilled team, BN offers an exceptional place to build your career. 

Position Summary:

The Contracts & Compliance Manager is responsible for the administration, negotiation, execution, and compliance management of customer, supplier and teammate contracts, and non-disclosure agreements across the business. This role serves as a key interface between Sales, Program Management, Engineering, Supply Chain, Finance, and Operations to ensure contractual and regulatory compliance while enabling efficient business execution. This role serves as a senior subject matter resource and escalation point for contractual and compliance-related risk across commercial and U.S. Government business activities.

The position has primary responsibility for commercial and government contract review, negotiation, contract setup and administration, and lifecycle support. Secondary responsibilities include support of export compliance, contractual compliance obligations, and related business processes. The role partners with internal subject matter experts and leadership to identify, escalate, and address contractual and regulatory risks while supporting efficient business execution. 

This is an onsite position based in Arvada, Colorado, requiring regular in-person collaboration with Sales, Program Management, Engineering, Supply Chain, Finance, Operations, and Leadership.

Requirements

Key Responsibilities

Contracts Management & Administration

• Review, negotiate, and administer customer, supplier, subcontractor, consultant, and teaming contracts, and non-disclosure agreements.
• Serve as a primary reviewer and escalation point for contractual terms and conditions requiring leadership, legal, or compliance review.
• Lead redline review and negotiation of contractual terms and conditions to protect company interests while supporting business objectives.
• Evaluate contractual risk and provide practical recommendations to leadership and functional teams.
• Support proposal, capture, and program execution teams with contractual guidance throughout the contract lifecycle.
• Ensure accurate contract setup, entry, and maintenance within ERP and business systems.
• Oversee contract documentation governance, records retention, modifications, and correspondence in accordance with company procedures and customer requirements. 

Government Contracting Compliance

• Interpret and apply FAR, DFARS, and customer-specific contractual requirements.
• Support compliance with U.S. Government contracting regulations and flow-down requirements.
• Coordinate with Finance, Program Management, and Corporate Legal on contractual matters involving risk, claims, changes, and compliance obligations.
• Provide operational guidance and support related to Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) handling requirements and contractual compliance obligations, including escalation of higher-risk or unclear matters to appropriate internal stakeholders.
• Identify and escalate contractual or regulatory risks requiring leadership, legal, or corporate compliance involvement.
• Assist with audits, assessments, and customer compliance reviews.

Export Compliance & Licensing

• Work closely with Corporate Export Compliance Manager to administer Corporate Export Policies and Procedures
• Support company export compliance activities in accordance with ITAR, EAR, and applicable U.S. export regulations.
• Support and coordinate company export compliance activities in partnership with Corporate Export Compliance leadership
• Coordinate export licensing activities including DSPs, agreements, exemptions, and classification support.
• Maintain export records and documentation in accordance with regulatory requirements.
• Support employee training and awareness related to export compliance obligations.

Business Systems & Process Improvement

• Lead continuous improvement initiatives related to contract management, NDA workflows, and compliance systems.
• Develop standardized templates, workflows, approval processes, and tracking tools to improve efficiency and risk management.
• Support implementation and optimization of ERP, CRM, document management, and contract lifecycle management systems.
• Establish metrics and reporting related to contracts turnaround time, NDA processing, licensing status, and compliance performance.

Qualifications

Qualified candidates will possess the following knowledge, training, experience, and abilities to successfully perform this job. 

Required Qualifications: 

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Legal Studies, International Trade, or related field.
• 5+ years of experience in contracts administration, contracts management, or government contracting environments within aerospace, defense, manufacturing, or related industries.
• Experience reviewing and negotiating commercial and U.S. Government contracts.
• Demonstrated ability to assess contractual risk and determine appropriate escalation paths.
• Experience with export licensing and compliance processes.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and communication skills.
• Experience with ERP, contract management, and document control systems.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience supporting aerospace and defense contracting environments
• Experience supporting highly regulated government programs
• Working knowledge of FAR and DFARS regulations; familiarity with ITAR and EAR requirements preferred.
• Experience administering commercial and government contracts throughout the contract lifecycle.
• Familiarity with Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) handling requirements
• Experience working cross-functionally with Legal, Program Management, Supply Chain, and Export Compliance functions
• Experience supporting ERP, document control, or contract lifecycle management systems in manufacturing environments

Success Metrics / Key Performance Indicators:

• Contract review and negotiation cycle time
• NDA turnaround time
• ERP/contract data accuracy
• Contractual process efficiency improvements
• Internal stakeholder partnership effectiveness
• Timely escalation and resolution of contractual/compliance tasks
• Export license processing and compliance accuracy
• Audit findings and corrective actions
• Audit readiness/documentation integrity
• Reduction in contractual and compliance risk exposure

Physical & Mental Demands:
The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

• Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this position, the incumbent is primarily required to sit, stand, walk, stoop, and bend. Must be able to speak and communicate clearly with others. This position requires the ability to exert up to 25 pounds of force occasionally, up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and up to 5 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Corrected vision of 20/20 or adequate equivalency is required, along with the ability to identify and distinguish colors.
• Mental Demands: While performing the duties of this position, the incumbent must be able to read, write, analyze data and reports, exercise sound judgment, develop plans, procedures, and goals, present information to others, and perform effectively under pressure.
• Work Environment: While performing the duties of this position, the incumbent will be working in a C1D2 environment, where the incumbent is exposed to hazardous materials, fumes, or airborne articles, as well as moving mechanical parts with vibration. High levels of manufacturing and equipment noise is also present. Duties are performed in both indoor and outdoor settings within a manufacturing environment, subject to variable temperatures and conditions. Outdoor duties may be performed in direct sunlight and elevated ambient temperatures characteristic of Florida's summer climate, where heat index values can be extreme. 

Compensation and Benefits:

The salary range for this role is $140,000-$165,000 and is commensurate with the applicant's experience. This range represents the anticipated minimum and maximum base for this position. The final compensation for this position will be set based on the applicant's qualifications (education, training and/or experience related to this role), and therefore, may fall outside the range shown, depending on the circumstances.

Barber-Nichols offers a comprehensive benefits package including: 

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• FSA and HSA with company paid HSA quarterly contributions
• Disability, Life, and AD&D Insurance
• 401(k) with 4% Company Match and Profit Sharing
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan (NYSE: GHM)
• Generous PTO and Paid Holidays with an option to purchase additional PTO
• Tuition reimbursement 
• Performance-based bonus program
• Paid Parental Leave, Military Leave, Jury Duty, and Bereavement Leave

To view our full list of benefits, please visit Careers - Barber-Nichols.

ITAR Requirements: To conform to U.S. Government commercial space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), applicants for employment at Barber-Nichols must be a U.S. citizen or national, lawfully admitted for permanent residence into the U.S. (i.e., current green card holder), or lawfully admitted as a refugee or granted asylum under 8 U.S.C. 1157-1158. Security clearance is not required for this position.

Equal Opportunity Employer:

Barber-Nichols is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer committed to a workplace free from discrimination, harassment, and retaliation of any type. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other protected status as defined by law. Barber-Nichols will ensure individuals with disabilities are provided with reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation. 

Barber-Nichols participates in E-Verify, the federal program for electronic verification of employment eligibility.