Sr Principal Contract Administrator

Posted Yesterday
Be an Early Applicant
2 Locations
In-Office
90K-168K Annually
Senior level
Aerospace • Logistics • Security • Software • Cybersecurity
The Role
Manage complex defense and international contracts across their full lifecycle, including proposal support, negotiation, execution, modifications, extensions, and termination. Identify and mitigate contractual risks, advise program managers, negotiate favorable terms, maintain contract records, and collaborate with technical, finance, supply chain, trade compliance, and executive stakeholders. The role requires customer relationship management, independent decision-making, deadline management, and occasional domestic and international travel.
Summary Generated by Built In
RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: No relocation assistance available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: No

CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret

TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the TimeDescription

At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work — and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible. Our employees are not only part of history, they're making history.

At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work — and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible. Our employees are not only part of history, they're making history.

Northrop Grumman Command and Control (C2) & Weapons Integration (CWI) Division, Global C2 Solutions Business Unit (BU) is seeking an experienced and dynamic individual to join its team qualified, and talented professionals supporting the Integrate Battle Command System (IBCS) Operating Unit (OU). This Principal/Sr. Principal Contract Administrator position will be located on-site in either Huntsville, Alabama or Linthicum, Maryland (or other Northrop Grumman worksite).

This role supports the contracts team for a growing international and domestic portfolio, overseeing high‑volume, fast‑paced agreements with U.S. DoD and foreign customers. The position requires good oral and written communication, regularly interfacing with executive leadership across OU, BU, Division, and Sector functional groups. As a self‑starter, you will manage customer relationships, collaborate with program and functional teams, and resolve emerging issues to ensure successful contract execution in a dynamic environment.

Essential Functions:

  • Prioritize proposal activities and working on multiple tasks simultaneously  
  • Identify contractual risks and mitigate with appropriate contract provisions  
  • Serve as key business advisor to the program managers on contractual and operational matters
  • Oversees all phases of the contract administration process, from initial preparation and negotiation through execution, changes or extensions, and termination.
  • Plan and execute successful contract negotiations of a complex nature and achieving targeted profit rates, favorable terms and conditions on both contracts and other agreements required to assist in mitigating risk and meeting overall financial goals
  • Build customer intimacy despite geographical separation as well as be able to effectively cultivate those relationships early on
  • Make decisions in a timely manner under tight deadlines and pressure
  • Offer guidance and work collaboratively with a multitude of organizations ranging from technical, program, finance, global supply chain, and trade compliance for seamless contract administration
  • Maintain comprehensive and organized electronic and hard copy records of all contracts and related documentation for easy access and auditing
  • Other duties as assigned

This requisition is open as a dual level opportunity. We are open to hiring a candidate at a level 3 or level 4.

Basic Qualifications:

  • Level A03 - Bachelor’s degree and 5 years relevant experience; Master’s degree and 3 years relevant experience
  • Level A04 – Bachelor’s degree and 8 years relevant experience; Master’s degree and 6 years relevant experience
  • Prioritize proposal activities and working on multiple tasks simultaneously 
  • Identify contractual risks and mitigate with appropriate contract provisions 
  • Serve as key business advisor to the program managers on contractual and operational matters
  • Oversees all phases of the contract administration process, from initial preparation and negotiation through execution, changes or extensions, and termination.
  • Plan and execute successful contract negotiations of a complex nature and achieving targeted profit rates, favorable terms and conditions on both contracts and other agreements required to assist in mitigating risk and meeting overall financial goals
  • Build customer intimacy despite geographical separation as well as be able to effectively cultivate those relationships early on
  • Make decisions in a timely manner under tight deadlines and pressure
  • Offer guidance and work collaboratively with a multitude of organizations ranging from technical, program, finance, global supply chain, and trade compliance for seamless contract administration
  • Maintain comprehensive and organized electronic and hard copy records of all contracts and related documentation for easy access and auditing
  • Ability to travel several times annually, domestically and internationally
  • Ability to obtain a U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Secret Clearance

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Demonstrated people leadership and/or supervisory/management experience
  • Must possess excellent problem solving and decision-making skills that support accomplishment of discipline objective to resolve complex problems and minimize risk to the Corporation
  • Ability to work independently and make independent decisions, ensuring high levels of collaboration with stakeholders and subject matter experts
  • Proficient in Excel, PowerPoint, Word, SharePoint, etc

Primary Level Salary Range: $89,900.00 - $134,900.00Secondary Level Salary Range: $112,200.00 - $168,200.00

The 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 and 5 years of relevant experience for Level A03
  • Master's degree and 3 years of relevant experience for Level A03
  • Bachelor's degree and 8 years of relevant experience for Level A04
  • Master's degree and 6 years of relevant experience for Level A04
  • Ability to travel several times annually, domestically and internationally
  • Ability to obtain a U.S. Department of Defense Secret Clearance
  • Demonstrated people leadership or supervisory/management experience
  • Excellent problem-solving and decision-making skills
  • Ability to work independently and make independent decisions while collaborating with stakeholders and subject matter experts
  • Proficiency in Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and SharePoint

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.

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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

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The Company
HQ: Charlotte, North Carolina
85,636 Employees

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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