Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems has an opening for a Principal Subcontract Specialist / Senior Principal Subcontract Specialist to join our team of qualified, diverse individuals onsite in Melbourne, FL.
Location: Melbourne, FL
Schedule: 9/80 work schedule – with every other Friday OFF! No teleworking available
Team: Global Supply Chain
Extras: Opportunities for occasional travel and excellent career growth potential
Our Team:
This is an opportunity to join a team on the cutting edge of tomorrow’s defense technologies. Work onsite in a collaborative and dynamic environment where new challenges are the norm! On-site in Melbourne you will have the opportunity to support our nation’s top-priority programs, developing and building solutions for our country.
About the Role:
Sources and procures complex, specialized goods and services. Owns contractual management for the supplier. Responsible for subcontract sourcing, proposal evaluation, negotiation, award, execution, administration, and closeout phases.
Coordinates and collaborates with key stakeholders such as legal, contracts, finance, planning, operations, program management, engineering, and quality. As part of a cross-functional team, candidate will monitor and manage schedule, cost, technical and quality performance of suppliers in support of US Government programs. Subcontract Specialists will interface with supplier leadership teams to motivate and drive excellence in performance of contractual requirements.
Specialists will additionally be responsible for providing subcontracting process and compliance requirements guidance to junior Subcontract Specialists, Supplier Management Teams and Integrated Product Team Leads. Provides subject matter expertise in all aspects of supplier and subcontract management. Works under general direction toward long-range goals and objectives. Assignments are often self-initiated. Performs independently with minimal management oversight.
Essential Functions:
Responsible for subcontract sourcing, proposal evaluation, negotiation, award, execution, administration, and closeout phases
Assesses supplier performance and regularly communicates feedback to Supplier Leadership
Manages supplier performance throughout the subcontracting lifecycle
Ensures compliance with all FAR, DFARS and public law requirements, as well as company policies and procedures
Identifies strategies and opportunities to reduce cost, improve efficiency and manage risk through strategic and targeted negotiations
Cultivates and maintains strong working relationships with suppliers, customers, and internal stakeholders
Contributes to Program Risk and Opportunity management
Utilizes process tools such as Lean Six Sigma with suppliers to drive quality, efficiency, and continuous improvement.
The selected candidate should thrive in a fast-paced, on-Site work environment with high expectations, significantly diverse assignments, and collaborative team settings across all levels.
This position may be filled at a level 3 or level 4.
Basic Qualifications (Principal Subcontract Specialist):
Bachelor’s Degree with a minimum of 5 years’ experience OR a Master's degree with a minimum of 3 years’ experience in Subcontracts, Contracts, Procurement, Project/Program Management
A minimum of 9 years combined experience in one or more of the following: Subcontracts, Contracts, Procurement, Project/Program Management may be considered in lieu of a degree.
Experience with SAP or related business application software
Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Secret Security Clearance within a reasonable amount of time deemed by business needs
Basic Qualifications (Senior Principal Subcontract Specialist):
Bachelor’s Degree with a minimum of 8 years combined experience OR a Master's degree with a minimum of 6 years of experience in Subcontracts, Contracts, Procurement, Project/Program Management
A minimum of 12 years combined experience in one or more of the following: Subcontracts, Contracts, Procurement, Project/Program Management may be considered in lieu of a degree.
Experience with SAP or related business application software
Experience with FAR/DFAR
Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Secret Security Clearance within a reasonable amount of time deemed by business needs
Preferred Qualifications:
Master’s degree in Supply Chain
Experience working on high dollar development Subcontracts (i.e., $100M Cost Reimbursable Preferred)
Negotiating skills with contracts in excess of $100 million
Previous Team Lead or Management experience
Experience conducting oral presentations to senior leadership
Knowledge of Earned Value Management System (EVMS)
Previous Control Account Manager (CAM) experience or training
Working Level Knowledge of Business Law
Risk Mitigation experience
Change Management experience.
Active DoD Secret Clearance
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree with a minimum of 5 (Principal) or 8 (Senior Principal) years' experience in Subcontracts, Contracts, Procurement, Project/Program Management
- Master's degree with a minimum of 3 (Principal) or 6 (Senior Principal) years' experience in Subcontracts, Contracts, Procurement, Project/Program Management
- Minimum of 9 years (Principal) or 12 years (Senior Principal) combined experience in Subcontracts, Contracts, Procurement, Project/Program Management may be considered in lieu of a degree
- Experience with SAP or related business application software
- Experience with FAR and DFARS compliance
- Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Secret security clearance
- Willingness and ability to work on-site in Melbourne, FL (no telework) and travel up to 10%
- Active DoD Secret clearance (preferred)
- Master's degree in Supply Chain
- Experience negotiating and managing high-dollar development subcontracts (e.g., $100M+), Cost Reimbursable
- Previous team lead or management experience
- Knowledge of Earned Value Management System (EVMS) and Control Account Manager (CAM) experience or training
- Working-level knowledge of business law, risk mitigation, change management, and experience presenting to senior leadership
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.







