Contracts Specialist

Join Our Team as a Contracts Specialist!

Are you a detail-driven professional who thrives at the intersection of business, compliance, and strategic negotiation? Do you excel at reviewing contracts, managing complex requirements, and building strong relationships across teams and partners? If so, we have the perfect role for you!

About the Company:

Thomas Global Systems is a leader in the design, manufacture and support of high-integrity aviation and defense electronics, operating out of locations in Sydney, Australia and Irvine, California.

About the Role:

The Contract Specialist will support both upstream contract obligations and downstream subcontracting activities, ensuring commercial, operational, and compliance alignment across the business. This role focuses on reviewing agreements, drafting contract language, evaluating risk, issuing RFQs, managing flow-down requirements, and supporting negotiations. While the position does not require a licensed attorney, the specialist will work closely with the company’s contracted legal counsel for escalated issues or final legal review.

What's on Offer:

• A varied, fast paced role with an innovative and respected leader in mission-critical aerospace and defense products.
• Competitive remuneration and comprehensive benefits package.
• Join a team of skilled and motivated people committed to innovation, collaboration, and national security outcomes.

What You'll Do:

Contract Review & Drafting

• Review, interpret, and summarize prime contract terms and conditions to determine obligations, risks, and required subcontractor flow-downs.
• Draft, revise, and prepare contracts, amendments, NDAs, purchase orders with complex terms, and other commercial documentation.
• Identify areas requiring legal review and coordinate with contracted attorney for guidance or approval.

Negotiation Support

• Lead or support negotiations with customers, partners, and subcontractors on commercial terms, pricing, schedules, and performance obligations.
• Develop negotiation strategies that balance risk, commercial competitiveness, and program objectives.
• Maintain documentation of negotiation outcomes and ensure proper integration into final agreements.

Subcontractor & Supply Chain Contracting

• Establish RFQs with support from internal subject matter experts for subcontractors, including scope definition, evaluation criteria, and applicable flow-downs.
• Evaluate subcontractor proposals and support selection decisions based on commercial, technical, and compliance considerations.
• Draft subcontract agreements and ensure required terms are properly flowed down from the prime contract.

Compliance & Flow-Down Management

• Create and maintain flow-down matrices tied to specific prime contracts or customer requirements.
• Ensure subcontractors comply with all contractual obligations, regulatory requirements, and company policies.
• Work with internal teams to monitor contract performance, ensure deliverables are met, and facilitate corrective actions if needed.

Process Development & Best Practices

• Develop templates, guides, checklists, contracting playbooks, and procedures to streamline contract creation and review.
• Promote consistent contracting practices across programs and business units.
• Identify and implement process improvements that enhance efficiency, reduce risk, and improve clarity for internal stakeholders.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with Business Development, Supply Chain, Program Management, Finance, Engineering, and Legal to ensure cohesive contract execution.
• Provide interpretation of contractual language to internal teams and support proposal development.
• Participate in customer and supplier meetings as needed to resolve contractual matters.

What You'll Bring:

Skills

• Strong analytical and critical-thinking capabilities for reviewing contract language and identifying risks.
• Proficiency in drafting and editing commercial agreements, NDAs, subcontracts, and RFQs.
• Solid understanding of contract structures, terms and conditions, and commercial negotiation strategies.
• Ability to interpret and apply flow-down requirements from prime contracts to subcontractors.
• Competence in evaluating proposals and supporting supplier/partner negotiations.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, able to synthesize complex contractual concepts for diverse audiences.
• Organizational skills for managing multiple contracts, deadlines, and priorities simultaneously.

Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in business, Supply Chain, Contracts Management, Law, or a related field (or equivalent work experience).
• 5–10 years in contracts, subcontracts, procurement, or commercial operations, preferably in aerospace, Defense, or other regulated industries.
• Hands-on experience drafting, reviewing, and negotiating commercial agreements.
• Experience creating and managing RFQs and subcontractor documentation.
• Familiarity with regulatory or compliance environments (e.g., FAR/DFARS if applicable), export controls, and quality standards.
• Demonstrated collaboration with cross-functional teams such as Program Management, Engineering, Finance, and Supply Chain.
• Experience escalating issues to legal counsel and integrating legal feedback into contracts.

Behaviors

• Detail-Oriented: Ensures accuracy in contract drafting, documentation, and flow-down management.
• Proactive: Anticipates risks, identifies gaps, and takes initiative to resolve issues before they escalate.
• Collaborative: Works effectively with internal stakeholders and external partners to reach balanced contractual outcomes.
• Ethical & Transparent: Maintains integrity, communicates openly, and follows compliance requirements consistently.
• Adaptable: Thrives in fast-paced environments with shifting priorities and evolving contract requirements.
• Process-Minded: Continuously seeks ways to improve templates, workflows, and best practices.
• Professional & Composed: Handles negotiations and difficult conversations with confidence, diplomacy, and respect.

Apply now and take your career to new heights!

Base salary range of $70,000 - $90,000 per annum. The final salary offer will be determined after reviewing relevant factors, including but not limited to location, skill sets; relevant experience; internal equity; and other business and organizational needs.

At-Will Employment Statement

Thomas Global Systems is an at-will employer. Employment with the company is voluntary and may be terminated by the employee or the company at any time, with or without cause or notice, and for any reason or no reason at all.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement

Thomas Global Systems is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and applicants and do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or any other protected status under applicable laws.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Accommodation Statement

If you are an individual with a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the application process or to perform the essential functions of a position, please contact us at [email protected].