Contracts Administrator

Northrop Grumman; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 75,800 - 113,800; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Health insurance

Paid time off

Job summary

A leading aerospace and defense company in San Diego seeks a Contracts Administrator to manage the contract lifecycle and drive program success. The ideal candidate will thrive in a fast-paced environment, possess a Top Secret clearance, and have strong analytical and communication skills. Responsibilities include negotiating contracts, ensuring compliance with legal standards, and collaborating with cross-functional teams. Attractive salary range and benefits are offered, including relocation assistance.

Qualifications

• 2 years of experience in business management and/or contract administration.
• Must have a current/active DoD Top Secret clearance.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Own the contract lifecycle from deal shaping to close-out.
• Mitigate risks by analyzing contract terms and conditions.
• Drive proposal development and negotiate business deals.

Skills

Exceptional communication skills

Analytical mindset

Self-directed problem solver

Education

Bachelor's degree in business management or related field

Master's degree in business management or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes

CLEARANCE TYPE: Top Secret

TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the Time

Description

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.

This position description does not represent a current opening but may be used to identify candidates with skills and experience for positions within Northrop Grumman that frequently become available. Candidates who express an interest may be considered for future positions at Northrop Grumman.

As a Contracts Administrator, you will be the pivotal linchpin that transforms opportunity into agreement, driving program success and opening new growth avenues. Working side‑by‑side with the program management team, you will ensure every contract is executed efficiently and effectively, safeguarding both company and customer interests. This full‑time, on‑site position is based at our RanchoBernardo campus in San Diego, CA.

What You’ll Do

• Own the contract lifecycle: from shaping the initial business deal, dissecting Requests for Proposal (RFPs), and crafting winning proposals, through rigorous negotiation, active contract management, to final close‑out.
• Mitigate risk: analyze terms and conditions related to financials, delivery schedules, intellectual property, indemnification, termination, and more; recommend and implement effective mitigation strategies.
• Evaluate complex solicitations: interpret Model Contracts, Statements of Work/Objectives (SOWs/SOOs), Contract Data Requirements List (CDRLs), acceptance criteria, and other critical documents.
• Drive proposal development: assemble compliant submittal packages that meet all technical, financial, and regulatory requirements.
• Lead negotiations: partner with customers and internal stakeholders to secure mutually beneficial business deals while protecting the company’s risk posture.
• Serve as the primary customer liaison: manage all official contract communications, ensuring clarity, responsiveness, and professionalism.
• Oversee multiple contracts simultaneously: manage contract value, funding, scope, and compliance across diverse contract types.

Core Responsibilities

• Analysis & Strategy. Assess requirements and translate them into actionable contract strategies.
• Compliance Assurance. Verify that every proposal and contract adheres to company policies, legal standards, and customer mandates.
• Stakeholder Collaboration. Coordinate cross‑functional teams, including program management, legal, finance, and operations, to ensure contract objectives are clearly understood and consistently executed.
• Performance Monitoring. Track contract milestones, deliverables, and key performance indicators; flag deviations early and drive corrective actions to keep projects on schedule and within scope.
• Documentation & Record Management. Maintain an organized repository of contracts, modifications, and related documentation, guaranteeing traceability and audit readiness.

What We’re Looking For

• Proven ability to thrive in a fast‑paced, restricted environment with demanding performance standards.
• Exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal, to articulate complex contract concepts clearly to internal teams and external customers.
• Self‑directed problem‑solver who proactively sets priorities, continuously expands expertise, and devises innovative solutions to ambiguous challenges.
• Strong analytical mindset for reviewing and mitigating contractual risks across financial, technical, and legal dimensions.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with 2 years of experience in business management and/or contract administration, or a Master's degree with 1 year of experience in business management and/or contract administration.
• U.S. Citizenship required.
• A current/active DoD Top Secret clearance (with a background investigation completed within the last 6 years or currently enrolled into Continuous Evaluation).
• Must have the ability to obtain and maintain a Special Access Program (SAP) clearance, prior to the commencement of employment.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in proposal development and negotiation.
• Experience in the aerospace and/or defense industry.
• Experience with Special Access Programs (SAPs).
• Prior knowledge and understanding of standard contract clauses in aerospace.
• Prior experience with a variety of contract types (e.g., Cost Plus Fixed Fee, Award Fee, Incentive Fee; Fixed Price Incentive Fee; Firm Fixed Price; etc.).
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).

Primary Level Salary Range: $75,800.00 - $113,800.00

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.