Contracts Operations & Compliance Manager

Position Summary:

The Contracts Operations & Compliance Manager plays a pivotal role in driving effective contract execution and ensuring operational and regulatory compliance across all phases of contract performance across all of Karman. This position is responsible for the oversight of contract operations-including implementation of internal controls, compliance monitoring, procedural enforcement, and policy development-across U.S. Government, commercial, and international contracts.

Working closely with functional teams such as Program Management, Finance, Supply Chain, Legal, and Engineering, the Manager ensures that contract execution aligns with all applicable federal, state, and international regulatory frameworks, including the FAR, DFARS, CAS, ITAR, and EAR. This role serves as a key point of coordination for ensuring that contractual requirements are embedded in day-to-day business processes, that compliance risks are proactively mitigated, and that documentation and reporting remain audit-ready at all times.

The ideal candidate will be a detail-oriented, strategic thinker who brings strong operational insight into contract execution, a proactive approach to compliance oversight, and the ability to design, implement, and manage systems and controls that support enterprise-wide adherence to legal, regulatory, and contractual obligations.

Key Responsibilities:

• Interface with procurement, engineering, program management, and finance teams to ensure alignment of contractual obligations and operational deliverables.
• Manage contract templates and policies across regions
• Assist with the development, implementation, and maintenance of contract management and compliance policies and procedures.

• Perform audits of contract operation processes/procedures and manage associated clean-up initiatives based on findings.
• Assist with the development and maintenance of contract template repositories
  • Manage contract template change log, revision, and clause variance in Karman's contracting system
  • Ensure the templates are always up to date, stored and configured as ready to use by all user groups
• Maintain a comprehensive database of contracts and report within the team
• Assist with the development of processes and technology to support new contracting workflows.
• Develop and implement compliance procedures and tracking mechanisms for government contracts, ensuring adherence to federal contract policies and procedures.
• Ensure strict adherence to FAR/DFARS, CAS, ITAR/EAR, and applicable DoD and agency-specific requirements.
  • Stay current with proposed and enacted government regulations, including FAR, DFARS, and CAS. Assess their impact on Karman and collaborate with management to implement any necessary regulatory changes. Ensure ongoing compliance through oversight and training.
• Assist functional management in developing and maintaining compliant business systems, including accounting, timekeeping, cost estimating, purchasing, and government property systems. Provide policies, procedures, and training to ensure compliance.
• Assist in contract negotiation when required.
• Lead and manage compliance with government portals such as SAM, DDTC ensuring active registrations with accurate and complete information.
• Support internal reviews, mock audits, CPSR preparation, and Corrective Action Plans (CAPs) when needed.
• Collaborate with export compliance and security teams to enforce visitor access controls, technology transfer safeguards, and data protection policies under CUI and ITAR regulations.
• Support internal training programs on contract compliance, ethics, and government contracting best practices.
• Participate in enterprise risk assessments and contract compliance reviews.

Minimum Qualifications:

• BA or BS degree, and/or 10+ years equivalent experience in contract management or contract administration, operations, and or compliance, preferably with a DoD/Defense fast-paced manufacturer or in dynamic environment.
• Strong knowledge of FAR, DFARS, and various contract types (e.g., FFP, T&M, CPFF, CPAF, CPIF, and OTAs).

• Experience with prime contract administration and/or subcontract management.
• Working knowledge of export control requirements such as ITAR and EAR compliance.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint) and Adobe Acrobat.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with the ability to interact with diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision while effectively managing multiple contracts.
• Must be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident due to government contract requirements.
• Contract experience in space, missile defense, or hypersonic programs.