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Director, Contracts

Mercury Systems

Upper Saddle River, NJ · Posted October 19, 2026

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About the job

Job Summary:

Mercury Systems is searching for a Director, Contracts to lead a small team of contracts managers. This position is a contracts leadership role requiring expertise across a broad spectrum of commercial and defense contracting matters. This role oversees contract management and compliance activities across multiple commercial and federal Government programs with a strong focus on risk mitigation. You will partner closely with business development and program management teams to protect the organization’s interests while advancing business objectives. This position also provides guidance on contract strategy, financial considerations, and administrative best practices across designated market areas.

The ideal candidate is someone who thrives in a culture where you are empowered to make decisions and solve problems. Mercury's environment offers the ability to make an immediate impact and not be held back by a lot of bureaucracy, common in large organizations.

This position can be hybrid out of the following Mercury Systems Locations: (this list has been updated)

Andover, MA

Hudson, NH

West Caldwell, NJ or

Saddle River, NJ

Job Responsibilities:

Directing the activities of contract professionals including complex contractual arrangements of strategic importance to the business unit or corporation

Leads, mentors, trains and develops a diverse team

Provides career development and training opportunities for contract professionals

Directs identification, development, and implementation of entire range of contract formation, negotiation, and administration policies and processes in accordance with customer expectations and corporate objectives.

Drive implementation of strategic contract opportunities with the most significant impact to the business

Understands the business case and has an appreciation of financial /analytical issues, risks, opportunities and profit and loss implications

Supports change management and process improvement initiatives

Lead complex negotiations

Representing the company to customers, suppliers, competitors and government agencies.

Providing resolution of business or technical issues by identifying contractual solutions and recommending a course of action.

Reviews and approves all contractual documents for protection of the company's contractual posture, satisfaction of government specifications and requirements, adherence to company policy and risk mitigation.

Negotiates contract terms and prepares proposal and contract documents in conjunction with other stakeholders in the organization.

Required Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree and ideally a minimum of 10 years of experience or equivalent experience

Experience in Contracts Management

Experience in Government/Defense Contracting

Experience/knowledge in FAR/DFARS

Experience in people management/leadership

Ability to perform in complex cross-functional business environment

Global perspective of business environment and technology

Motivational and visionary leadership skills

Excellent presentation, team building, and leadership skills

Travel Requirements: Approximately 10-15% domestic travel.

This position requires you to have or be able to obtain a government security clearance. Security clearances may only be granted to U.S. citizens.

Preferred Qualifications:

Graduate Degree a plus

Professional Certifications (i.e. CFCM) a plus

Experience in Cost Type or Incentive Type contracts a plus

** We are also hiring a Principal Contracts Manager. See job id #26-568.**