Northrop Grumman is seeking a Manager, Independent Cost Evaluation (ICE) for our Corporate office, located in Falls Church, VA. Due to this position's requirement for significant travel (up to 35%) to proposal work locations, the candidate may work remotely or from any Northrop Grumman site within the U.S., offering flexibility on work location.
Roles and Responsibilities:
- Key member of an independent review team responsible for evaluating the executability and cost realism of proposals that trigger pre-defined review thresholds.
- This role requires the selected candidate to perform rigorous, unbiased cost assessments using a combination of external industry data, internal program performance data, historical actuals, and data provided by proposal teams.
- The ICE Manager develops an independent range of cost uncertainty around point estimates provided by proposal teams in conjunction with sector ICE resources to deliver well-substantiated insights to support decision-making on major proposals.
- Additionally, this role involves contributing to the development of standardized tools, methodologies, and processes for cost assessment across the various sectors.
Additional Responsibilities:
- Manage the independent review process for major proposals, overseeing the development of robust independent cost estimates that assess the executability and realism of proposal team data.
- Establish and continuously improve standardized methodologies, tools, and frameworks for cost evaluation to enhance consistency and reliability across sectors.
- Ensure alignment of independent assessments with organizational strategic objectives, presenting findings and providing strategic advice to senior leadership and decision-makers.
- Direct the preparation and presentation of clear, comprehensive ICE output to internal and external stakeholders, including management, proposal teams, sector leadership, customers, and auditors.
- Liaise with proposal teams and functional representatives, to ensure the validity and accuracy of data inputs while maintaining a neutral and unbiased stance in evaluations.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Possess advanced expertise in cost estimating, independent cost evaluation, and financial analysis.
- Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of best practices in proposal reviews and independent assessments.
- Use advanced problem-solving techniques and innovative strategies to address complex evaluation challenges.
- Directly oversee multiple, simultaneous independent cost evaluation projects, delegating tasks and responsibilities appropriately to ensure accuracy and alignment with deadlines.
- Influence organizational strategy by delivering independent cost evaluations that enhance decision-making on high-value proposals.
- Frequently interact with senior leadership, customers, and external stakeholders, conducting high-level briefings and providing expert advisement on cost evaluation matters.
Impact:
- The Independent Cost Evaluation Manager plays a crucial role in shaping the company’s ability to assess and make informed decisions on high-value proposals. Accurate and thorough independent cost estimates significantly influence resource allocation, competitive positioning, customer satisfaction, and the long-term success of the company.
Basic Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree with 8 years of related professional experience in pricing, estimating, contracts, global supply chain, business management, or program management; OR a Master’s degree with 6 years of related professional experience as described.
Extensive experience supporting pricing and estimating in U.S. Government, commercial, or international proposals.
Strong working knowledge of FAR/DFARS and relevant audit standards.
Demonstrated experience leading teams or initiatives focused on process improvement and technology modernization for pricing, estimating, or business management functions.
Experience presenting and explaining complex information to diverse stakeholders, including executive leadership.
Ability to travel up to 35% of the time to required sites for reviews.
- An active DoD Secret Clearance, with the ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret/SCI Clearance within a reasonable amount of time following hire.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Master's degree in engineering or business from an accredited institution.
- Cross-sector experience is highly desirable.
- Ten years of relevant experience, including expertise in cost analysis, business management, or operations research, with strong knowledge of quantitative risk techniques, cost and risk modeling, and government contracts.
- Experience in the aerospace industry.
- Active or transferable Top Secret/SCI security clearance.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree with 8 years related experience or Master's with 6 years
- Extensive experience supporting pricing and estimating in U.S. Government, commercial, or international proposals
- Strong working knowledge of FAR/DFARS and relevant audit standards
- Demonstrated experience leading teams or initiatives focused on process improvement and technology modernization for pricing/estimating
- Experience presenting and explaining complex information to executive leadership and diverse stakeholders
- Ability to travel up to 35% of the time
- Active DoD Secret Clearance, with ability to obtain and maintain Top Secret/SCI within a reasonable time
- Master's degree in engineering or business
- Cross-sector experience
- Ten years of relevant experience including cost analysis, quantitative risk techniques, cost and risk modeling, and government contracts
- Experience in the aerospace industry
- Active or transferable Top Secret/SCI security clearance
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.



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