Put your skills to the test by pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. From global defense to sustainment and modernization to mission readiness, your experience and ability will make it a reality. Our programs are built on equal parts of curiosity and collaboration. Our combined effort means our customers can connect and defend millions of people around the world. With Northrop Grumman, you’ll have the opportunity to be an essential part of projects that will define your career, now and in the future
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 Defense Systems has an opening for a Senior Principal Supply Chain Subcontract Specialist to join our Global Supply Chain team.
Essential Functions:
Sources and procures specialized goods and services
Owns contractual management for the supplier
Responsible for source selection from contract proposal to execution phases. Coordinates and collaborates with key stakeholders such as contracts, engineering, quality, supplier development, planning, operations, program and end-users
Develops subcontract specifications, work statements, and terms and conditions for the procurement of specialized materials, equipment, and/or services
Prepares bid packages, conducts bidders conferences, analyzes and evaluates proposals, negotiates subcontract provisions, selects or recommends subcontractors, writes awards, and administers resulting subcontracts
In conjunction with quality organization, evaluates and monitors supplier quality and reliability, as well as supplier ability to support required delivery schedules
Identifies strategies and opportunities to reduce cost, improve efficiency and manage risk through strategic and targeted negotiations
Manages performance of subcontracts, ensures compliance with all public law requirements as well as company (and business) policies and procedures including import/export regulations
Employs sound business practices and assesses supplier performance as part of follow-up activities
Ensures that appropriate documentation is provided to logistics/transportation & warehouse organization so that proper receipt is recorded
Manages and develops strategic/key suppliers
Reviews and approves supplier payment as needed
Utilizes process tools such as Lean Six Sigma with suppliers to drive quality, efficiency and continuous improvement
About the Role:
Subcontract Specialists should have experience sourcing and procuring complex, specialized goods and services as well as owns the 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
Basic Qualifications:
Bachelor’s Degree with a minimum of 8 years' experience OR a Master’s Degree and a minimum of 6 years' experience; minimum of 12 years' of experience may be considered in lieu of a degree
Years of experience must be in Subcontracts, Purchasing, Procurement, Contracts, Finance, Business Management or Project Management
Experience with SAP or related business application software
Working knowledge of FAR/DFARS and associated Federal Contracting regulations
Ability to collaborate with program management and other multi-functional teams
Ability to multi-task and make sound decisions in a timely manner
Demonstrated ability to work in a very fast paced environment
Ability to obtain and/or transfer and maintain the final adjudicated government Secret clearance, and any program access(es) required for the position within a reasonable period of time, as determined by the company
Preferred Qualifications:
Experience working on high dollar development Subcontracts
Experience conducting oral presentations to senior leadership
Previous Team Lead or Management experience
Knowledge of Earned Value Management System (EVMS)
Risk mitigation experience
Change Management experience
Experience with different contract types: Firm Fixed Price (FFP), Time and Material (T&M), Cost Reimbursable (CR) "No Fee", Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF), Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ)
Skills Required
- Bachelor's Degree with a minimum of 8 years' experience OR a Master's Degree with a minimum of 6 years' experience; minimum of 12 years' experience may be considered in lieu of a degree
- Years of experience in Subcontracts, Purchasing, Procurement, Contracts, Finance, Business Management or Project Management
- Experience with SAP or related business application software
- Working knowledge of FAR/DFARS and associated Federal Contracting regulations
- Ability to obtain and/or transfer and maintain the final adjudicated government Secret clearance
- Ability to collaborate with program management and other multi-functional teams
- Ability to multi-task and make sound decisions in a timely manner
- Demonstrated ability to work in a very fast paced environment
- Experience working on high dollar development subcontracts
- Experience conducting oral presentations to senior leadership
- Previous team lead or management experience
- Knowledge of Earned Value Management System (EVMS)
- Risk mitigation experience
- Change management experience
- Experience with contract types: Firm Fixed Price (FFP), Time & Material (T&M), Cost Reimbursable (CR) "No Fee", Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF), Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ)
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.







