Contract Specialist / Subcontracts Administrator

About the Organization Mettle Ops is a woman-owned business experienced in defense program management, federal acquisitions, business development, engineering, analysis, reporting, and risk management with the mission of helping soldiers survive on the battlefield. Through transparency and grit, Mettle Ops delivers multidisciplinary, comprehensive Department of Defense engineering solutions to government and industry partners on a national scale with a mission to build business based on a philosophy of hard work and dedication.

Mettle Ops believes they have a high obligation to the warfighter, their home state of Michigan, their customers, their employees, their faith, and their place on this earth. Mettle Ops is inspired by courage and tenacity and so-named Mettle Ops. EOE Statement We are an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.

Description Mettle Ops is a Michigan-based defense contractor specializing in energetic systems, advanced manufacturing, and defense systems integration. The Contract Specialist / Subcontracts Administrator is an entry-to-mid-level position within the Contracts and Compliance function, designed for a developing contracts professional who has built foundational industry experience and is ready to take on increasing responsibility in a fast-paced defense contractor environment.

Reporting directly to the Contracts Manager, this role supports daily contract and subcontract administration activities across Mettle Ops' active program portfolio. The ideal candidate is organized, detail-oriented, and eager to grow - someone who understands the basics of Government contracting from the contractor's side and wants to deepen that expertise within a small business where contributions are visible and impact is immediate.

Contract Administration Support Assist in administering U.S. Government prime contracts and commercial agreements through the full lifecycle - from award through closeout Maintain accurate and complete contract files, correspondence logs, and modification records in accordance with internal procedures Track contract deliverables, CDRLs, and milestone due dates; flag upcoming obligations to the Contracts Manager Prepare routine contract correspondence, letters, and internal routing packages under Contracts Manager direction Support coordination with DCAA and DCMA on administrative, audit, and surveillance activities Subcontract Administration Support issuance and administration of subcontracts and purchase orders, including flowdown clause incorporation Maintain subcontractor files including executed agreements, insurance certificates, and compliance documentation Verify subcontractor registrations in SAM.gov and confirm SPRS entries prior to award Assist in monitoring subcontractor deliverables and performance against purchase order requirements Coordinate with supply chain and program teams to resolve routine subcontractor administrative issues Proposal Support Assist in assembling proposal packages including compliance matrices, administrative volumes, and supporting documentation Research solicitation requirements and organize RFP materials for review by the Contracts Manager Support preparation and coordination of teaming agreements and NDAs during capture activities Gather and organize cost and pricing support data as directed Compliance & Regulatory Support Maintain working awareness of FAR and DFARS requirements as they apply to assigned contracts Support CMMC Level 2 compliance record-keeping and documentation maintenance Assist in export control screening and routing of documents to appropriate stakeholders as directed Flag potential compliance issues to the Contracts Manager for resolution Administrative & Cross-Functional Support Serve as a reliable point of contact for routine contract inquiries from program managers and internal staff Maintain and update contract tracking logs, status reports, and internal databases Support development and maintenance of contract templates and clause libraries Assist with onboarding documentation for new vendors and subcontractors GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT Mettle Ops is a growing company with an expanding program portfolio.

This position is designed with a clear development path toward Senior Contracts Administrator and, over time, broader contracts leadership responsibility. The company supports professional development including reimbursement for relevant coursework and certification examination fees. Candidates who demonstrate aptitude and initiative will find meaningful advancement opportunity within the contracts function. COMPENSATION & BENEFITS Mettle Ops offers competitive compensation commensurate with experience.

Benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance; 401(k) with employer match; PTO and holiday schedule aligned to the Federal holiday calendar; and professional development support including certification examination reimbursement. Salary Range: Competitive and commensurate with experience. Specific range provided upon initial screening call. Position Requirements Education Bachelor's degree required — Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, Finance, Legal Studies, or related field Experience 3–5 years of contracts or subcontracts experience in an industry (contractor) environment Exposure to U.S.

Government contracts under FAR/DFARS preferred; direct administration experience a plus Experience with purchase order or subcontract administration in a manufacturing or defense environment preferred Proposal support or pricing assistance experience a plus but not required Candidates at the lower end of the experience range who demonstrate strong fundamentals, a disciplined work ethic, and genuine interest in the defense contracting field are encouraged to apply.

Technical Skills Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite — Word, Excel, and Outlook are daily tools in this role Familiarity with SAM.gov and basic Government contracting portals preferred Experience with PIEE/iRAPT (WAWF), CPARS, or SPRS a plus Experience with Deltek Costpoint or comparable GovCon ERP helpful but not required SECURITY & EXPORT CONTROL Must be a U.S. Person (U.S. Citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident) as required by ITAR/EAR program access Ability to obtain a U.S.

Government security clearance (Secret) required; current clearance a plus but not expected at this level Must be willing to complete export control training and comply with all ITAR/EAR obligations applicable to assigned programs Full-Time/Part-Time Full-Time