STR is seeking a highly motivated Principal Subcontracts Administrator to join our growing Contracts & Supply Chain team. The Principal, Subcontracts professional will lead and manage the full lifecycle of subcontracts across a diverse portfolio of government contracts. Responsibilities will include subcontracting strategy, solicitation, proposal evaluation, negotiation, award, post-award administration, compliance, performance management, modification, and closeout.
The successful candidate will serve as a subject-matter expert and trusted business partner to Program Management, Engineering, Finance, Supply Chain, Contracts, Legal, and other internal stakeholders. The role requires sound judgment, strong negotiation and communication skills, exceptional attention to detail, and the ability to independently manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced federal contracting environment.
This position offers the opportunity to lead complex subcontracting activities, advise internal stakeholders, support purchasing-system compliance, contribute to process improvements, and help scale STR’s subcontract management practices as the company grows.
What you will do:
- Lead full lifecycle administration of a portfolio of subcontracts, including pre-award, award, post-award administration, modification, closeout, and records retention
- Partner with Contracts, Legal, Security, Quality, Finance, IT, and Program teams to develop and execute subcontracting strategies aligned with program requirements, prime contract obligations, company policies, and applicable acquisition regulations
- Oversee subcontractor due diligence, onboarding, risk classification, screening, periodic reviews, and compliance monitoring
- Prepare and issue requests for proposals and other solicitations to subcontractors
- Evaluate subcontractor proposals for price, cost, technical, schedule, contractual, and compliance considerations, as applicable
- Lead proposal analysis, including review of labor rates, indirect rates, assumptions, exceptions, terms and conditions, and cost or pricing information, as appropriate
- Draft, negotiate, and execute subcontracts, subcontract modifications, nondisclosure agreements, teaming-related agreements, and other special agreements
- Interpret and apply applicable Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS), prime contract requirements, and subcontract flowdown requirements
- Manage subcontract modifications, changes, deliverables, invoices, funding actions, approvals, and other post-award requirements
- Monitor subcontractor performance, including cost, schedule, technical performance, deliverables, compliance, and overall risk
- Partner with Program Management, Engineering, Finance, Supply Chain, Contracts, Legal, and other stakeholders to resolve subcontract-related issues and support successful program execution
- Support purchasing-system compliance activities, including communications with the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA), preparation for Contractor Purchasing System Reviews (CPSRs), audit responses, and remediation activities
- Identify subcontracting risks and recommend mitigation strategies related to pricing, terms and conditions, intellectual property, data rights, cybersecurity, export controls, security requirements, organizational conflicts of interest, and other applicable compliance areas
- Develop and improve subcontracting procedures, templates, tools, and training to increase efficiency, consistency, and scalability
- Maintain appropriate records and evidence to support audits, customer reviews, certifications, and regulatory inquiries
- Serve as a trusted advisor and subject-matter expert on subcontracting matters across the organization
- Utilize purchasing and ERP systems
- Experience using AI‑enabled tools and a strong willingness to learn and apply AI to drive efficiency and improve quality and effectiveness in Contracts and Supply Chain processes
Who you are:
- This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a US government security clearance, if required for assigned programs, for which US citizenship is needed by the US Government.
- Bachelor’s degree in business, supply chain, contracts, finance, or a related field, plus at least 7 years of relevant experience; equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered
- Significant experience administering subcontracts in a U.S. government contracting environment
- Experience supporting DoD and/or Intelligence Community customers
- Working knowledge of the FAR, DFARS, federal acquisition principles, and applicable subcontract flowdown requirements
- Experience with multiple contract types, such as firm-fixed-price (FFP), cost-plus-fixed-fee (CPFF), time-and-materials (T&M), labor-hour, and other cost-reimbursement arrangements
- Experience drafting, negotiating, administering, and managing subcontracts and related agreements
- Demonstrated ability to evaluate subcontractor proposals and perform or support price and cost analysis
- Experience supporting purchasing-system compliance, audits, CPSR preparation, or related government reviews
- Strong written, verbal, analytical, negotiation, and problem-solving skills
- Demonstrated ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, and manage competing priorities
- Exceptional attention to detail and strong organizational skills
- Ability to collaborate, communicate, and coordinate effectively with internal and external stakeholders
Nice to have:
- Professional certification, such as NCMA’s Certified Professional Contracts Manager (CPCM), Certified Federal Contracts Manager (CFCM), or a related credential.
- Experience supporting DoW, classified programs or Intelligence Community customers.
- Experience working with DCMA, the Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA), CPSRs, or other government audits and reviews.
- Experience with subcontract closeout, claims, disputes, equitable adjustments, or termination activities.
- Familiarity with export control, cybersecurity, intellectual property, data rights, and government property requirements.
- Experience implementing or improving subcontract management systems, processes, and internal controls.
- Experience mentoring or providing functional leadership to other contracts, procurement, or subcontract professionals.
Pay Information
Full-Time Salary Range: $140,000.00 - $175,000.00
The salary range listed is based on external market data. Offers are based on factors, such as but not limited to, the candidate’s experience, education, training, key skills/critical skills, security clearances, and prevailing market and business conditions.
STR is a growing technology company with locations near Boston, MA, Arlington, VA, near Dayton, OH, Melbourne, FL, Carlsbad, CA, Atlanta, GA, and Denver, CO. We specialize in advanced research and development for defense, intelligence, and national security in: cyber; next generation sensors, radar, sonar, communications, and electronic warfare; and artificial intelligence algorithms and analytics to make sense of the complexity that is exploding around us.
STR is committed to creating a collaborative learning environment that supports deep technical understanding and recognizes the contributions and achievements of all team members. Our work is challenging, and we go home at night knowing that we pushed the envelope of technology and made the world safer.
STR is not just any company. Our people, culture, and attitude along with their unique set of skills, experiences, and perspectives put us on a trajectory to change the world. We can't do it alone, though - we need fellow trailblazers. If you are one, join our team and help to keep our society safe! Visit us at www.str.us for more info.
STR is an equal opportunity employer. We are fully dedicated to hiring the most qualified candidate regardless of race, color, religion, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
If you need a reasonable accommodation for any portion of the employment process, email us at [email protected] and provide your contact info.
Pursuant to applicable federal law and regulations, positions at STR require employees to obtain national security clearances and satisfy the requirements for compliance with export control and other applicable laws.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in business, supply chain, contracts, finance, or a related field, plus at least 7 years of relevant experience; equivalent education and experience combinations may be considered
- Significant experience administering subcontracts in a U.S. government contracting environment
- Experience supporting Department of Defense and/or Intelligence Community customers
- Working knowledge of the Federal Acquisition Regulation, Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement, federal acquisition principles, and subcontract flowdown requirements
- Experience with firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee, time-and-materials, labor-hour, and other cost-reimbursement contract types
- Experience drafting, negotiating, administering, and managing subcontracts and related agreements
- Ability to evaluate subcontractor proposals and perform or support price and cost analysis
- Experience supporting purchasing-system compliance, audits, Contractor Purchasing System Review preparation, or related government reviews
- Strong written, verbal, analytical, negotiation, and problem-solving skills
- Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, and manage competing priorities
- Exceptional attention to detail and strong organizational skills
- Ability to collaborate, communicate, and coordinate effectively with internal and external stakeholders
- Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance if required for assigned programs
- U.S. citizenship as required by the U.S. government for clearance eligibility
- Professional certification such as NCMA CPCM, CFCM, or a related credential
- Experience supporting classified programs or Intelligence Community customers
- Experience working with DCMA, DCAA, CPSRs, or other government audits and reviews
- Experience with subcontract closeout, claims, disputes, equitable adjustments, or termination activities
- Familiarity with export control, cybersecurity, intellectual property, data rights, and government property requirements
- Experience implementing or improving subcontract management systems, processes, and internal controls
- Experience mentoring or providing functional leadership to contracts, procurement, or subcontract professionals
What the Team is Saying
STR Compensation & Benefits Highlights
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Retirement Support — Retirement benefits are highlighted by a 401(k) with a 4% company match plus a 6% profit-sharing contribution, which can materially boost total rewards if paid as advertised. This combination stands out repeatedly as a core strength of the package.
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Healthcare Strength — Health coverage includes medical and dental insurance, STR-paid vision, employer HSA/HRA contributions, and company-paid life and disability insurance. Mental-health, financial counseling, and an employee assistance program add breadth to the core protections.
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Parental & Family Support — Paid parental leave for birthing and non-birthing parents is offered alongside PTO and company holidays. Dependent-care options and commuter and wellness perks further support family and lifestyle needs.
STR Insights
What We Do
STR makes the world a safer place by developing technology and applying it to solve emerging national security challenges.
Why Work With Us
We believe in a people-first culture. Yes, we are scientists, engineers, and researchers, but first, we are people. Our environment is designed to foster innovation by encouraging our employees to work collaboratively on things they are passionate about. We also really like to have fun. We believe that working hard and playing hard go hand in hand.
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