Northrop Grumman has an opening for a 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 Palmdale, CA or Melbourne, FL.
Level 3 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
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 an Active DoD Secret or higher Clearance (with a background investigation completed within the last 5 years or currently enrolled into Continuous Evaluation).
- Must have the ability to obtain and maintain Special Program Access prior to commencement of employment.
- Able to work on site in Palmdale, California or Melbourne, FL
Preferred Qualifications:
- 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
Salary ranges will be dependent upon position level AND where the position is based and follows our company geographic salary bands aligned with position. Specific salary offer for candidate selected will be commensurate with experience.
Florida Pay Band: $81,400 - $122,000
California Pay Band: $94,200-$141,200
Primary Level Salary Range: $81,400.00 - $141,200.00The above salary range represents a general guideline; however, Northrop Grumman considers a number of factors when determining base salary offers such as the scope and responsibilities of the position and the candidate's experience, education, skills and current market conditions.Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. Annual bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results. Employees in Vice President or Director positions may be eligible for Long Term Incentives. In addition, Northrop Grumman provides a variety of benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, Company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business.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.Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree with 5 years relevant experience or Master's degree with 3 years 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 and Microsoft Office tools
- Active DoD Secret or higher clearance (background investigation within last 5 years or enrolled in Continuous Evaluation)
- Ability to obtain and maintain Special Program Access prior to commencement of employment
- Ability to work on site in Palmdale, CA or Melbourne, FL
- Active Special Program Access
- Knowledge of aerospace production operations, tasks, and processes
- Experience in pricing, finance, contracts, business operations, and proposal contract types (FFP, FPIF, CPIF, etc.)
- Familiarity with Northrop Grumman procedures
- Experience performing Least Square Regression, Pivot Table Analysis, and applying Improvement Curves
- Operations touch labor improvement curve theory and modeling experience
- Strong presentation and negotiation support experience
- Intermediate experience with Microsoft Excel (advanced formulas, regression, pivot tables)
- 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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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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