Principal Traffic Administrator

ngc; United States; On-site; USD 78,000 - 117,000; Full time

Job summary

Northrop Grumman in El Segundo, CA, seeks a Principal Traffic Administrator 3 to lead HTS classification and import/export compliance. You will coordinate with U.S. customs brokers, freight forwarders, and internal teams to ensure accurate entries and timely processing of shipments.

Requires Bachelor’s or higher in a related field, plus extensive HTS/CBP experience and a security clearance. This role emphasizes regulatory interpretation, documentation accuracy, and cross-functional collaboration

Qualifications

• Experience interpreting HTS and GRI rules; ability to apply regulatory interpretations.
• Strong knowledge of U.S. Customs procedures and import/export compliance.
• Ability to coordinate with brokers, suppliers, and internal teams.

Responsibilities

• Plan, schedule, and route imports/exports; monitor traffic flow to foreign destinations.
• Lead interaction with U.S. Customs and brokers to ensure accuracy of declarations.
• Review entry documentation for compliance; maintain records for audits.
• Coordinate international shipments with brokers and forwarders; ensure documentation is complete.
• Support export/import licensing and compliance initiatives.
• Collaborate on global trade compliance solutions and process improvements.

Skills

HTS classification knowledge

Customs compliance

CBP liaison experience

Export/import licensing

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

Master’s degree

PhD

Tools

Tariff schedule software

Customs brokerage tools

Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: No relocation assistance availableCLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: NoCLEARANCE TYPE: SecretTRAVEL: 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.

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

Primary Level Salary Range: $77,800.00 - $116,800.00The 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.