Principal Cost Estimating Analyst

Northrop Grumman; Palmdale (CA); On-site; USD 94,200 - 141,200; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Overtime

Discretionary bonus

Job summary

Northrop Grumman in Palmdale, CA is seeking a Level 3 Cost Estimating Analyst to join the Production Operations Estimating team. The role focuses on labor cost estimation for manufacturing, BOE development, and compliance with FAR/DFARS and internal procedures.

The position requires a DoD Secret clearance and on-site work in Palmdale, CA or Melbourne, FL, with relocation assistance potentially available and travel up to 10%.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with 5 years of relevant experience, or a Master’s degree with 3 years of relevant experience.
• Experience in aerospace/defence industry and business management.
• Working knowledge of government contract environment (FAR/DFARS).
• Experience developing compliant BOEs (Basis of Estimates).
• Experience with Excel.

Responsibilities

• Estimate labor costs of manufacturing based on requests for proposals (RFP) from prospective customers.
• Analyze specifications including sketches, blueprints, BOMs, or sample layouts.
• Develop high-quality BOEs in the BOE tool.
• Perform estimating duties in compliance with FAR/DFARS and company procedures.
• Prepare and maintain historical labor data.
• Communicate estimates to leadership and contract personnel.
• Create models and analyze factors for estimating approach.
• Prepare reports and present findings to management and customers.
• Support both pre-award and post-award estimating activities.

Skills

Aerospace industry experience

Business management experience

Education

Bachelor's degree in a relevant field

Tools

Excel

Job description

Relocation assistance may be available.

Clearance required for start: Yes.

Clearance type: Secret.

Travel required: 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. 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 has an opening for a Level 3 Cost Estimating Analyst to join our team of qualified, diverse individuals. The Production Operations Estimating / Functional Estimating department uses specialized analysts with high‑end analytical skills and backgrounds in manufacturing. All analysts within this group vary in experience but grow into subject matter experts within operations and cost estimating.

This position will be located on site in Palmdale, CA or Melbourne, FL.

Essential Functions

• Estimate labor costs of manufacturing based on requests for proposals (RFP) submitted by prospective customers.
• Analyze specifications, including sketches, blueprints, bills of material, or sample layouts.
• Develop high‑quality and compliant BOEs (Basis of Estimates) in the BOE tool.
• Perform estimating duties and analysis in accordance with recognized industry best practices, specific solicitation and customer requirements, and in compliance with USG regulatory requirements (FAR, DFARS) and Northrop Grumman procedures.
• Prepare and maintain historical labor data.
• Communicate across functions and leadership levels, including executives, to present estimates and recommendations.
• Create models and analyze existing and new factors for inclusion in the estimating approach.
• Prepare reports and present findings to management, contract personnel, proposal coordinators and customer representatives.
• Support both pre‑award and post‑award estimating activities in support of program needs.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with 5 years of relevant experience, or a master’s degree with 3 years of relevant experience.
• Aerospace/defence industry and business management experience.
• Working knowledge of government contract environment (FAR and DFARS).
• Experience developing compliant BOEs (Basis of Estimates).
• Experience with Excel.
• Must have an active DoD Secret or higher clearance with a background investigation completed within the last five years or currently enrolled in Continuous Evaluation.
• Must have the ability to obtain and maintain Special Program Access prior to commencement of employment.
• Able to work on site in Palmdale, California or Melbourne, FL.

Preferred Qualifications

• Active Special Program Access.
• Knowledge or familiarity with aerospace production operation functions, tasks, and processes.
• Experience in pricing, finance, contracts, business and/or business operations.
• Experience working with proposals of varying contract types (e.g., FFP, FPIF, CPIF, etc.).
• Familiar with Northrop Grumman procedures.
• Experience performing least‑squares regression, pivot‑table analysis, application of improvement curves, and advanced formulas.
• Operations touch labor improvement curve theory and modeling experience.
• Strong presentation skills.
• Experience in communicating technical and theoretical analysis.
• Experience supporting negotiations.
• Intermediate experience with Microsoft Office tools, particularly Excel, specifically performing least‑squares regression, pivot‑table analysis, and application of improvement curves.
• In‑depth understanding of manufacturing and support labor and how they interact.

Compensation

Salary ranges will be dependent upon position level and location and follow our company geographic salary bands. The Florida pay band is $81,400 – $122,000. The California pay band is $94,200 – $141,200. The primary level salary range is $81,400.00 – $141,200.00. Salary offers will be commensurate with experience, education, skills, and current market conditions.

Benefits

Employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. Annual bonuses reward individual contributions and allow employees to share in company results. Employees in Vice President or Director positions may be eligible for long‑term incentives. Northrop Grumman provides a variety of benefits, including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, a savings plan, company‑paid holidays, and paid time off for vacation and personal business.

Equal Opportunity

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 https://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.