Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems has an opening for a Principal Traffic Administrator 3 to join our team of qualified, diverse individuals. This position will be located in El Segundo, CA.
Essential Functions:
Plans, schedules and routes imports and export shipments including monitoring the flow of traffic to/from foreign destinations, ensuring related customer service products. Manage day-to-day customs entry declaration coordination with freight forwarders, customs broker and government agencies. Verify all customs and import business, entry transaction and documentation for accuracy. As defined by 19 CFR 111.1, activities involving transactions with CBP concerning the entry and admissibility of merchandise, its classification and valuation, the payment of duties, taxes, tariffs, or other charges assessed or collected by CBP or other government agencies on merchandise by reason of its importation. Maintains compliance with federal and foreign regulations; governing the shipment, receipt and documentation of imported/exported products.
HTS Classification Specialist assigns accurate Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) codes to imported and exported goods to ensure full compliance with customs laws. Reviews technical specifications, engineering drawings, bills of materials, and product literature to understand item composition and function. Research and apply the General Rules of Interpretation (GRIs), Explanatory Notes, and Customs rulings (such as CBP CROSS) to assign correct HTSUS or Schedule B codes. Maintains clear rationales and records for every classification decision to support customs audits and inquiries. Partner with procurement, engineering, logistics, and legal teams to resolve missing or unclear product data.
Essential Functions:
• Provide classification according to the HTSUS. Requires the ability to interpret US Harmonized Tariff Schedule along with very good understanding of chapter and explanatory notes, and ability to support HTS classification with relevant GRI, Chapter notes, explanatory notes and customs rulings.
• Assist in providing technical expertise guidance related to: HTS classification, customs valuation, preferential origin determinations (e.g., free trade agreements), duty deferral programs (e.g., foreign trade zone, inward processing/bonded regimes), customs declaration and clearance to internal customers.
• Review all customs entry documentation ensuring each entry is accurate and compliant prior to presenting to U.S. Customs.
• Serve as lead interface to U.S. customs broker ensuring sector import declarations are accurate, filed timely, and all supporting documentation is included.
• Coordinate the delivery of international shipments with the U.S. customs broker and/or freight-forwarder.
• Ensure all required records are established and maintained in accordance with company policy and U.S. government regulations.
• As needed support import compliance assessments.
• Execute export and import licensing activities in compliance with applicable U.S. laws and regulations.
• Collaborate in the on-going development of global trade compliance solutions to streamline customs data management and customs requirements.
• Researches and resolves customer or supplier issues.
• Actively engage with internal and external worldwide import/export operations and organizations.
• Meet internal customer's deadlines by ensuring timely processing and delivery of import shipments.
• Supports internal and external trade trainings for the import community, and other functional organizations.
• Ensure timely processing of vendor invoices.
• Identifies and reports all post entry amendments.
• Audit all import files for accuracy/completeness according to company policy.
• Monitor forwarder performance and provide feedback to forwarder as appropriate.
• Support NGC export personnel/process to ensure required documentation/data is secured prior to exportation in order to facilitate the processing of import entries.
• Support other Traffic and administrative functions, as required.
Basic Qualifications:
Bachelor's with 5 years of experience or a Master’s Degree with 3 years of experience, or PhD and 1 year experience in Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) codes to imported and exported goods.
• Valid U.S. Customs Broker License
• Minimum of 5 years work experience with CBP in customs brokerage, freight-forwarder, or large importer
• Ability to interpret US Harmonized Tariff Schedule along with very good understanding of chapter and explanatory notes, and ability to support HTS classification
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Secret security clearance and Special Programs Access within a reasonable amount of time as determined by business needs.
Preferred Qualifications:
• Defense industry experience
• Active U.S. Government DoD security clearance at the Secret level
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree with 5 years of experience, Master's degree with 3 years of experience, or PhD with 1 year of experience in Harmonized Tariff Schedule codes for imported and exported goods
- Valid U.S. Customs Broker License
- At least 5 years of experience with CBP in customs brokerage, freight forwarding, or as a large importer
- Ability to interpret the U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule, including chapter notes, explanatory notes, and classification rules
- Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Secret security clearance and Special Programs Access
- Defense industry experience
- Active U.S. Government DoD Secret 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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Healthcare Strength — Health coverage offers multiple medical plan options by region alongside dental, vision, mental‑health resources, and wellness programs. Recent materials also highlight added family‑building support, including a dedicated fertility benefit.
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Retirement Support — The 401(k) savings plan is positioned as competitive with a company match, auto‑escalation features, and access to an employee stock fund/ESPP. Official filings and benefits guides emphasize retirement as a core element of the Total Rewards package.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Many sites offer a 9/80 schedule, generous PTO, paid holidays, and flexible/telework options where program needs allow. Paid parental and caregiver leave are prominently featured, with recent enhancements for the delivering parent.
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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