Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems has an opening for a Manager Subcontracts 2 to join our team of qualified, diverse individuals within our Global Supply Chain organization. This leadership role is located onsite in Palmdale, CA or El Segundo, CA (full-time on-site) no remote work available.
We offer flexible work arrangements, 9/80* work schedule with every other Friday off, phenomenal learning opportunities, exposure to a wide variety of projects and customers, and a very friendly team environment. We are looking for self-motivated, proactive, and goal-oriented people to help us grow our services and become even better at what we do.
Essential Functions:
Responsible for leading a Subcontracts Team, which includes approximately five to seven Subcontract Specialists, who direct and manage the cost, schedule, and performance requirements of their subcontracts. The Manager will be responsible for and act as the main focal point to the Program for all Major Subcontract related activities within their portfolio, escalating issues to Supplier Senior Level management as needed, brief internal executive management and the Customer on the status/issues affecting performance or cost, and conduct program reviews with the Subcontractor and Program Office. It is the Manager’s job to ensure all portfolio Subcontracts are meeting Customer, Program, and Company needs. The manager will further be responsible for managing the personnel on their team – coaching, growing, guiding, and enriching their careers as they manage their subcontracts.
Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
- All phases of the Subcontract from initiation of the business case for make or buy decisions, market research, single/sole source determinations, request for proposals, commercial item determinations, source selection decision, proposal evaluations, negotiation strategy, awarding subcontracts, and execution of technical, cost and performance requirements.
- Coordinates and collaborates with key partners such as contracts, engineering, quality, supplier development, planning, operations, program and end-users.
- Manages preparation of bid packages, supports bidders’ conferences, analyzes and evaluates proposals, negotiates subcontract provisions, selects or recommends subcontractors, writes awards, and administers resulting subcontracts.
- In conjunction with quality organization, evaluates and monitors supplier quality and reliability, as well as supplier ability to support required delivery schedules.
- Identifies strategies and opportunities to reduce cost, improve efficiency and manage risk through strategic and targeted negotiations.
- Manages performance of the portfolio, ensures compliance with all public law requirements as well as company (and business) policies and procedures including import/export regulations.
- Employs sound business practices and assesses supplier performance as part of follow-up activities.
- Manages and develops strategic/key suppliers.
Our Leaders at Northrop Grumman live our values daily and encourage our teams to do the same. We do the right thing: upholding the highest ethical standards and facilitating a safe and respectful environment that attracts, retains, and inspires a diverse and engaged team. We do what we promise: holding yourself and others accountable to meet predictable and balanced results. We commit to shared success: operating as OneNG and removing barriers for our teams. Finally, We pioneer: setting a vision that shapes the future and inspires others.
Basic Qualifications:
- Must have a Bachelor’s degree with 5 years of experience, or a Master’s degree with 3 years of experience, or a High School Diploma/Equivalency with 9 years of experience in lieu of degree. Combined experience in any of the following: Subcontracts Management, Procurement, Program Management, or Contracts Management
- Must have experience with SAP or related purchasing software
- Must have experience in Subcontract Management responsibility
- Must have experience conducting oral presentations to executive leadership
- Must have experience leading a team, process, and/or projects
Must have a current active U.S. Government Top Secret Clearance
Must have the ability to obtain/maintain Program Special Access
Preferred Qualifications:
- Master Degree in Business, Global Supply Chain or Project Management
- Experience with FAR (Federal Acquisition Regulations) and DFAR
- Experience working on high dollar development Subcontracts (i.e. $100M Cost Reimbursable Preferred)
- Significant experience conducting oral presentations to senior leadership
- Internal Northrop Grumman Subcontracts experience
- 10 years of DoD Subcontract Management Experience
- Knowledge of Earned Value Management System (EVMS)
- Previous CAM Experience or Training
- Special Program Access
- Risk mitigation experience
- Negotiating skills with contract in excess of $100 million
- Change Management experience
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree with 5 years experience, Master's with 3 years, or High School Diploma with 9 years in Subcontracts Management, Procurement, Program Management, or Contracts Management
- Experience with SAP or related purchasing software
- Experience in Subcontract Management responsibility
- Experience conducting oral presentations to executive leadership
- Experience leading a team, process, and/or projects
- Current active U.S. Government Top Secret Clearance
- Ability to obtain/maintain Program Special Access
- Master's Degree in Business, Global Supply Chain or Project Management
- Experience with FAR and DFAR
- Experience working on high dollar development subcontracts (e.g., $100M cost reimbursable)
- 10 years of DoD Subcontract Management experience
- Knowledge of Earned Value Management System (EVMS)
- Previous CAM experience or training
- Risk mitigation experience and change management experience
- Negotiating skills on contracts in excess of $100 million
- Internal Northrop Grumman Subcontracts experience
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.






