Northrop Grumman has an opening for a Level 2 or Level 3 Cost Estimating Analyst to join our team of qualified, diverse individuals. The Production Operations Estimating / Functional Estimating department uses specialized analysts with high end analytical skills and backgrounds in Manufacturing. All analysts within this group vary in experience but are grown into subject matter experts within operations and cost estimating.
This position will be located on site in Rancho Bernardo, CA or El Segundo, CA.
Cost Estimating Analysts are expected to develop solutions to sophisticated problems, which require the regular use of resourcefulness and innovation and review data available. The candidate will use existing models or craft and build estimating models based on the information available and, once complete, be able to communicate efficiently, clearly present technical approaches and findings, and present results to their management.
Essential Functions:
- Estimates labor costs of manufacturing based on requests for proposals (RFP) submitted by prospective customers
- Analyzes specifications, including sketches, blueprints, bills of material, or sample layouts
- Develop high-quality and compliant BOEs (Basis of Estimates) in the BOE tool
- Perform estimating duties and analysis in accordance with recognized industry best practices, specific solicitation, and customer requirements, and in compliance with USG regulatory requirements (FAR, DFARS), and Northrop Grumman procedures
- Prepares and maintains historical labor data
- Ability to successfully communicate across functions and leadership levels, including Executives, to present estimates and recommendations
- Create models and analyze existing and new factors for inclusion in the estimating approach
- Prepares reports and presents findings to management, contract personnel, proposal coordinators and customer representatives
- Support both pre-award and post-award estimating activities in support of program needs
This position may be filled at either the Level 2 or Level 3 depending upon candidate qualifications, experience, education, knowledge and skills.
Level 2 Basic Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in relevant field of study with 2 years of relevant experience, or a Master's degree in relevant field of study
- Aerospace/defense industry and business management experience
- Working knowledge of government contract environment (FAR and DFARS)
- Experience developing compliant BOEs (Basis of Estimates)
- Experience with Excel
- Must have the ability to obtain and maintain a US Government Secret Clearance
- Must have the ability to obtain and maintain Special Program Access
- Able to work on site in Rancho Bernardo or El Segundo, CA
Level 3 Basic Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree with 5 years of relevant experience, or a Master's degree with 3 years of relevant experience
- Aerospace/defense industry and business management experience
- Working knowledge of government contract environment (FAR and DFARS)
- Experience developing compliant BOEs (Basis of Estimates)
- Experience with Excel
- Must have the ability to obtain and maintain a US Government Secret Clearance
- Must have the ability to obtain and maintain Special Program Access
- Able to work on site in Rancho Bernardo or El Segundo, CA
Preferred Qualifications:
- Active US Government Secret Clearance
- Active Special Program Access
- Knowledge or familiarity of aerospace production operation functions, tasks, and processes
- Experience in pricing, finance, contracts, business and/or business operations
- Experience working with proposals of varying contract types (ex: FFP, FPIF, CPIF, etc.)
- Familiar with Northrop Grumman procedures
- Experience performing Least Square Regression, Pivot Table Analysis, application of Improvement Curves, and advanced formulas
- Operations touch labor improvement curve theory and modeling
- Strong presentation skills
- Experience in communicating technical and theoretical analysis
- Experience in supporting negotiations
- Intermediate experience with Microsoft Office tools (particularly Excel) specifically performing Least Square Regression, Pivot Table Analysis, and application of Improvement Curves
- In-depth understanding of Manufacturing and Support Labor and how they interact
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in a relevant field with 2 years of relevant experience, or a master's degree for Level 2
- Bachelor's degree with 5 years of relevant experience, or a master's degree with 3 years of relevant experience for Level 3
- Aerospace or defense industry and business management experience
- Working knowledge of the government contract environment, including FAR and DFARS
- Experience developing compliant Bases of Estimate
- Experience with Microsoft Excel
- Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Secret clearance
- Ability to obtain and maintain Special Program Access
- Ability to work on site in Rancho Bernardo or El Segundo, California
- Active U.S. Government Secret clearance
- Active Special Program Access
- Knowledge or familiarity with aerospace production operations, tasks, and processes
- Experience in pricing, finance, contracts, business, or business operations
- Experience with proposals involving varying contract types, such as FFP, FPIF, and CPIF
- Familiarity with Northrop Grumman procedures
- Experience with least squares regression, pivot table analysis, improvement curves, and advanced formulas
- Knowledge of operations touch labor improvement curve theory and modeling
- Strong presentation skills
- Experience communicating technical and theoretical analysis
- Experience supporting negotiations
- Intermediate Microsoft Office experience, particularly Excel analysis functions
- In-depth understanding of manufacturing and support labor interactions
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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Healthcare Strength — Health coverage offers multiple medical plan options by region alongside dental, vision, mental‑health resources, and wellness programs. Recent materials also highlight added family‑building support, including a dedicated fertility benefit.
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Retirement Support — The 401(k) savings plan is positioned as competitive with a company match, auto‑escalation features, and access to an employee stock fund/ESPP. Official filings and benefits guides emphasize retirement as a core element of the Total Rewards package.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Many sites offer a 9/80 schedule, generous PTO, paid holidays, and flexible/telework options where program needs allow. Paid parental and caregiver leave are prominently featured, with recent enhancements for the delivering parent.
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.








