2027 Associate Contracts Administrator / Contracts Administrator (Active TS) - San Diego

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes

CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret

TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the TimeDescription

At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work — and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible. Our employees are not only part of history, they're making history.

Northrop Grumman is seeking an Associate Contracts Administrator or Contracts Administrator. This full-time, on-site position will be located at our Aeronautics Systems sector Rancho Bernardo office in San Diego, CA.

As an Associate Contracts Administrator or Contracts Administrator, you will be the pivotal linchpin that transforms opportunity into agreement, driving program success and opening new growth avenues. Working side‑by‑side with the program management team, you will ensure every contract is executed efficiently and effectively, safeguarding both company and customer interests.

What You’ll Do:

• Own the contract lifecycle: from shaping the initial business deal, dissecting Requests for Proposal (RFPs), and crafting winning proposals, through rigorous negotiation, active contract management, to final close‑out.

• Mitigate risk: analyze terms and conditions related to financials, delivery schedules, intellectual property, indemnification, termination, and more; recommend and implement effective mitigation strategies.

• Evaluate complex solicitations: interpret Model Contracts, Statements of Work/Objectives (SOWs/SOOs),  Contract Data Requirements List (CDRLs), acceptance criteria, and other critical documents.

• Drive proposal development: assemble compliant submittal packages that meet all technical, financial, and regulatory requirements.

• Lead negotiations: partner with customers and internal stakeholders to secure mutually beneficial business deals while protecting the company’s risk posture.

• Serve as the primary customer liaison: manage all official contract communications, ensuring clarity, responsiveness, and professionalism.

• Oversee multiple contracts simultaneously: manage contract value, funding, scope, and compliance across diverse contract types.

Responsibilities to include but not limited to:

• Analysis & Strategy. Assess requirements and translate them into actionable contract strategies.

• Compliance Assurance. Verify that every proposal and contract adheres to company policies, legal standards, and customer mandates.

• Stakeholder Collaboration. Coordinate cross‑functional teams, including program management, legal, finance, and operations, to ensure contract objectives are clearly understood and consistently executed.

• Performance Monitoring. Track contract milestones, deliverables, and key performance indicators; flag deviations early and drive corrective actions to keep projects on schedule and within scope.

• Documentation & Record Management. Maintain an organized repository of contracts, modifications, and related documentation, guaranteeing traceability and audit readiness.

This requisition may be filled at either a Level 1 or Level 2.

Basic Qualifications for an Associate Contracts Administrator (Level 1): A candidate, regardless of age and hiring source, must meet ALL of the below criteria. The candidate must:

• Be completing or has completed their Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution by December 2026.

• Be majoring in or having majored in a Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, Supply Chain or related field.

• A current/active U.S. Government Top Secret clearance (with a background investigation completed within the last 6 years or currently enrolled into Continuous Evaluation).

• Must have ability to obtain Program Special access within a reasonable period of time, as determined by the company to meet its business needs (U.S. citizenship is a pre-requisite).

Basic Qualifications for a Contracts Administrator (Level 2): A candidate, regardless of age and hiring source, must meet ALL of the below criteria. The candidate must:

• Be completing or has completed their Master’s degree from an accredited institution or is completing or has completed their Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution and 2 years of of experience in business management and/or contract administration by December 2026.

• Be majoring in or having majored in a Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, Supply Chain or related field.

• A current/active U.S. Government Top Secret clearance (with a background investigation completed within the last 6 years or currently enrolled into Continuous Evaluation).

• Must have ability to obtain Program Special access within a reasonable period of time, as determined by the company to meet its business needs (U.S. citizenship is a pre-requisite).  

Preferred Qualifications

• Have an overall cumulative GPA of 3.25/4.0 or higher

• Previous internship/co-op or other work experience, leadership & teamwork, capabilities, interpersonal communication skills, and activities (professional/community/extracurricular).

• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.

• Experience in proposal development and negotiation.

• Experience in the aerospace and/or defense industry.

• Experience with Special Access Programs (SAPs).

• Prior knowledge and understanding of standard contract clauses in aerospace.

• Prior experience with a variety of contract types (e.g., Cost Plus Fixed Fee, Award Fee, Incentive Fee; Fixed Price Incentive Fee; Firm Fixed Price; etc.).

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).

Pay Range

• Associate Contracts Administrator (Level 1): $63,000 to $94,600

• Contracts Administrator (Level 2): $75,800 to $113,800

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The application period for the job is estimated to be 20 days from the job posting date. However, this timeline may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates.

Northrop Grumman is an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. For our complete EEO and pay transparency statement, please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.