Northrop Grumman Defense Systems (NGDS) is seeking a Principal/Sr. Principal Pricing Cost Estimating / Independent Cost Evaluation (ICE) Analyst to join our growing team at one of the following Northrop Grumman Defense System sites such as Elkton, MD, Plymouth, MN; Rocket Center, WV, Huntsville, AL; Mesa, AZ; or Redondo Beach, CA
The selected candidate will support the Pricing and Estimating group by evaluating basis-of-estimates and proposal offerings to ensure consistent estimating practices across the sector that produce high quality, well-supported cost estimates that comply with both internal and external regulatory requirements. This individual will support, as assigned by direct management, independent cost evaluation reviews encompassing business acquisition through program execution and close out.
Specific responsibilities include:
- Supports Pricing and Estimating Analyst and meets strict deadlines
- Collaborates with current programs in execution and other functional areas to improve basis-of-estimate compliance, enhance estimating techniques , and improve related processes
- Develops and delivers training, tools, and templates in coordination with direct management
- Identifies, evaluates and independently quantifies risks and opportunities and their associated probabilities in cost estimates, terms and conditions, and all other business management-related functions
- Analyzes, amalgamates, and interprets diverse data into quantitative findings and utilizes them within the context of each unique situation
- Understand and assess the strategic value and viability of business cases
Basic Qualifications for Principal Pricing Cost Estimating / Independent Cost Evaluation (ICE) Analyst:
- Must have one of the following:
- Bachelor’s degree in economics, business, operations analysis, finance, engineering or a related discipline with a minimum of 5 years of cost estimating and cost proposal experience
- Master’s degree in economics, business, operations analysis, finance, engineering or a related discipline with a minimum of 3 years of cost estimating and cost proposal experience
- Four additional years of experience can be used in lieu of degree.
- Must be able to obtain and maintain a U.S. Secret level security clearance
- Must be able to work on-site at one of the listed sites: Elkton, MD, Plymouth, MN; Rocket Center, WV, Huntsville, AL; Mesa, AZ; or Redondo Beach, CA
- Must be able to travel as needed (up to 25% of the time)
Basic Qualifications for Sr. Principal Pricing Cost Estimating / Independent Cost Evaluation (ICE) Analyst:
- Must have one of the following:
- Bachelor’s degree in economics, business, operations analysis, finance, engineering or a related discipline with a minimum of 8 years of cost estimating and cost proposal experience
- Master’s degree in economics, business, operations analysis, finance, engineering or a related discipline with a minimum of 6 years of cost estimating and cost proposal experience
- Four additional years of experience can be used in lieu of degree.
- Must be able to obtain and maintain a U.S. Secret level security clearance
- Must be able to work on-site at one of the listed sites: Elkton, MD, Plymouth, MN; Rocket Center, WV, Huntsville, AL; Mesa, AZ; or Redondo Beach, CA
- Must be able to travel as needed (up to 25% of the time)
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience conducting or supporting independent program reviews
- Cross-sector experience is desirable
- Experience in the aerospace/defense industry
- Active U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Secret security clearance
- Demonstrated expertise in statistics, business management, cost estimation, risk/opportunity modeling and a working understanding of Government and commercial contracting and subcontracting
- Strong problem solving and analytical skills; ability to make recommendations and provide guidance to effectively bring projects to completion
- Dynamic, self-starter with the ability to conduct detailed-level analyses and understand them in the larger strategic perspective of an overall business case
- Excellent communication skills, with the ability to use them in informing, presenting, negotiating and problem solving with a wide range of people
- Demonstrated experience managing teams towards a focused time-critical objective
- A flexible approach to work, an understanding of working collaboratively with multiple stakeholders on complex undertakings, and the willingness to be an active and supportive member of a cross-functional team to achieve goals
- Well versed in a broad range of cost estimating methodologies with the ability to implement, model and train them effectively
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in economics, business, operations analysis, finance, engineering or related plus minimum 5 years cost estimating and cost proposal experience (Principal level)
- Master's degree in economics, business, operations analysis, finance, engineering or related plus minimum 3 years cost estimating and cost proposal experience (Principal level)
- Bachelor's degree in economics, business, operations analysis, finance, engineering or related plus minimum 8 years cost estimating and cost proposal experience (Sr. Principal level)
- Master's degree in economics, business, operations analysis, finance, engineering or related plus minimum 6 years cost estimating and cost proposal experience (Sr. Principal level)
- Four additional years of experience may be used in lieu of degree
- Must be able to obtain and maintain a U.S. Secret level security clearance
- Must be able to work on-site at one of the listed sites (Elkton MD; Plymouth MN; Rocket Center WV; Huntsville AL; Mesa AZ; Redondo Beach CA)
- Must be able to travel as needed (up to 25% of the time)
- Experience conducting or supporting independent program reviews
- Cross-sector experience
- Experience in the aerospace/defense industry
- Active U.S. DoD Secret security clearance
- Expertise in statistics, business management, cost estimation, risk/opportunity modeling, and government/commercial contracting
- Demonstrated experience managing teams toward time-critical objectives
- Strong communication, problem solving, and analytical skills
- Well versed in a broad range of cost estimating methodologies with ability to implement, model, and train
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.








