Put your skills to the test by pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. From global defense to sustainment and modernization to mission readiness, your experience and ability will make it a reality. Our programs are built on equal parts of curiosity and collaboration. Our combined effort means our customers can connect and defend millions of people around the world. With Northrop Grumman, you’ll have the opportunity to be an essential part of projects that will define your career, now and in the future.
Northrop Grumman Defense Systems (NGDS) is seeking a Contract Administrator to join its team of qualified, diverse professionals to support the Armament Systems Business Unit. This position will be located with the team in Mesa, AZ.
The Contract Administrator will interface with all levels of management and customer counterparts, including program managers, business managers, finance, and pricing to perform the following contract administration responsibilities:
Administers, extends, negotiates and terminates standard and nonstandard contracts.
- Conduct proposal preparation, contract negotiations, contract administration, and customer contact activities to provide for proper contract acquisition and fulfillment in accordance with company policies, legal requirements, and customer specifications.
- Examine project costs, performance requirements, and delivery schedules to ensure accuracy and completeness.
- Take an active role in proposal support and bid preparation; managing contract proposal volumes, supporting fact finding and the negotiation process to ensure proposals are fully responsive to prospective customer requirements.
- Perform risk assessment of proposals and contracts terms and conditions and assist program office in development of risk mitigation strategies
- Develop and process contract sign-off packages, managing the approval process for proposals, contracts and modifications
- Ensure contract performance in accordance with company policies/procedures and legal requirements, including Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS), International Traffic And Arms (ITAR), Risk Work Authorizations (RWAs), Data Requests, Property Requests, Organizational Conflict of Interest (OCI), Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs)
- Understand, assess, and evaluate contract provisions, clauses, regulations (including FAR and DFARS clauses), flow-downs and subcontract requirements
- Maintain official program records, including contractual documents and correspondence with customer
- Advise management of contractual rights and obligations and, as needed, provide interpretation of terms and conditions
Responsibilities:
- Administers, extends, negotiates, and terminates standard and nonstandard contracts.
- Conducts proposal preparation, contract negotiation, contract administration, and customer contact activities to provide for proper contract acquisition and fulfillment in accordance with company policies, legal requirements, and customer specifications.
- Administer daily contract activities for a variety of contract types, including cost reimbursable and firm fixed price; such activities will include establishing payment terms, initiating, and monitoring invoices, collections, and funding to support financial objectives.
- Enter and manage data in the Contract Management System, financial, and delivery systems.
- Participate in customer meetings, performing and monitoring compliance to contract requirements and leading change management process.
- Ensure non-disclosure agreements and contract terms and conditions are negotiated within company guidelines.
- Exercises problem solving by developing solutions to a variety of problems of moderate scope and complexity.
Basic Qualifications:
- This position emphasizes skills and experience. Must have a Bachelor’s Degree with a minimum of 2 years applied experience in a related field.
- Will also consider:
- High School Diploma or equivalent (GED) with a minimum of 8 years of applied experience.
- Master’s Degree with a minimum of 1 year applied experience in a related field.
- Basic understanding of Government contracting requirements.
- Working knowledge of FAR/DFARS clauses
- Experience working independently on routine to moderate contract management responsibilities including contract and regulatory compliance and negotiations (price, terms and conditions and technical requirements).
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite, especially Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
- Excellent interpersonal skills.
- Excellent communication skills both verbal and written with both internal and external customers.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Strong technical contracts background to include proposal development and negotiation skills.
- Experience in the Defense Industry.
- Experience leading teams, including cross-functional/cross-organization teams.
- Strong problem solving and analytical skills; ability to make recommendations and provide guidance to effectively bring projects to completion.
- Ability to manage multiple contracts at the same time of moderate value and risk level, including various contract types such as cost reimbursable and fixed price.
- NCMA Certification (CPCM, CFCM and / or CCCM)
- MS/MA/MBA/JD
Skills Required
- Bachelor's Degree with a minimum of 2 years applied experience in a related field
- High School Diploma or equivalent (GED) with a minimum of 8 years applied experience
- Master's Degree with a minimum of 1 year applied experience in a related field
- Basic understanding of Government contracting requirements
- Working knowledge of FAR/DFARS clauses
- Experience working independently on routine to moderate contract management responsibilities including compliance and negotiations
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite, especially Word, Excel and PowerPoint
- Excellent interpersonal skills
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills with internal and external customers
- Strong technical contracts background including proposal development and negotiation skills
- Experience in the Defense Industry
- Experience leading cross-functional teams
- Strong problem solving and analytical skills
- Ability to manage multiple contracts of moderate value and risk, including cost reimbursable and fixed price types
- NCMA Certification (CPCM, CFCM and/or CCCM)
- Advanced degree (MS/MA/MBA/JD)
Northrop Grumman Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Northrop Grumman and has not been reviewed or approved by Northrop Grumman.
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Retirement Support — 401(k) matching is considered strong, with additional defined-benefit coverage for certain cohorts and options like catch-up contributions. Retirement programs are repeatedly highlighted as a core strength of the total rewards.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — PTO, company-paid holidays, and compressed work schedules (such as 9/80) provide meaningful time away and flexibility. These scheduling options are cited as a major quality-of-life benefit across many locations.
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Parental & Family Support — Paid parental leave alongside caregiver leave, adoption assistance, and back-up care supports a range of family needs. These programs have been expanded recently, signaling continued investment in family support.
Northrop Grumman Insights
What We Do
We are a close-knit community of big thinkers collaborating to keep the world safe. Our passion, creativity and expertise bring next-level technology solutions to life in autonomous systems, cyber, C4ISR, strike, space, and logistics and modernization for our customers around the globe. On the Northrop Grumman team, you’ll join our pursuit of excellence immersed in a dynamic culture of innovation and respect. Your unique perspective will help achieve our shared vision for the future of global security. Every step of the way, you'll be supported by world-class training, employee resource groups and a comprehensive benefits package that enables greater health and happiness for you and your family. Worldwide and across disciplines, we’re challenging what’s possible for technology to protect people and places from undersea to outer space and into cyberspace. And we see the impact of our performance every day. We are Northrop Grumman, and we work on what matters—now, you too can make a difference. Explore opportunities in engineering, IT, manufacturing, business management, cybersecurity and more with us. Northrop Grumman is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.









