Senior Principal Contract Administrator

Northrop Grumman Corporation; Virginia (MN); On-site; USD 118,000 - 176,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Life and disability insurance

Savings plan

Paid holidays and PTO

Job summary

Northrop Grumman is seeking a Senior Principal Contract Administrator – Level 4 located in Dulles, VA, for high‑impact contract management supporting SATCOM Direct Commercial Sales. This 100% onsite role requires strong negotiation, regulatory knowledge (FAR/DFAR), and leadership in a fast‑paced environment.

The candidate will manage complex contracts, mitigate risks, and provide guidance across programs and cross‑functional teams, with a commitment to excellence and compliance in all dealings.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with 8 years of professional experience – OR – Master’s degree with 6 years of professional experience – OR – PhD with 4 years of professional experience.
• Will consider an additional 4+ years of experience in lieu of degree.
• Must have the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Top-Secret security clearance.
• Experience negotiating and administering various contract types.
• Understanding the requirements of government regulations, such as FAR or DFAR.
• Experience in negotiation and managing DCS (Direct Commercial Sales) and associate terms and conditions with international customers/buyers.
• Working knowledge in commercial export licensing and controls and associated regulations (Export Administration Regulations and Arms Export Control Act).
• An In-depth knowledge of FAR, DFAR, and UCC as well as experience with different contract types.
• Experience supporting ECPs and REAs.
• Extensive Proposal Support is a plus.
• NCMA Certification (CPCM, CFCM and/or CCCM).

Responsibilities

• Prioritize proposal activities and work 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.
• 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 inclusive of teaming 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, global mobility office, and security for seamless contract administration.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Contract negotiation

Contract administration

FAR/DFAR knowledge

Security clearance process

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

PhD

Experience in lieu of degree

Job description

Location & Travel

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: No relocation assistance available. CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: No. CLEARANCE TYPE: Top Secret. TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the Time.

Job Overview

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. Expand your horizons, advance your career, and contribute to a secure future for generations. Northrop Grumman’s Space Sector invites you to bring your pioneering spirit to our collaborative teams.

As a Senior Principal Contract Administrator – Level 4 located in Dulles, VA, you’ll be a linchpin in missions of paramount importance, defining the art of the possible from day one. This position is 100% onsite and cannot accommodate telecommute work. A Contract Administrator produces high quality Contract Management related products supporting the SATCOM Direct Commercial Sales (DCS). This position requires a basic understanding of DCS and DOD contracting, excellent communication skills, strong technology acumen in M365, as well as interpersonal and organizational skills. The ideal candidate is a team player; but also, a strong independent contributor with strong leadership skills, demonstrated problem-solving skills, and a detail-oriented approach. This position will work a 9/80 schedule, with every other Friday off.

Mission & Responsibilities

• Prioritize proposal activities and work 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.
• 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 inclusive of teaming 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, global mobility office, and security for seamless contract administration.
• Other duties as assigned.

Eligibility & Requirements

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree with 8 years of professional experience – OR – Master’s degree with 6 years of professional experience – OR – PhD with 4 years of professional experience.
• Will consider an additional 4+ years of experience in lieu of degree.
• Must have the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Top-Secret security clearance.
• Experience negotiating and administering various contract types.
• Understanding the requirements of government regulations, such as FAR or DFAR.
• Experience in negotiation and managing DCS (Direct Commercial Sales) and associate terms and conditions with international customers/buyers.
• Working knowledge in commercial export licensing and controls and associated regulations (Export Administration Regulations and Arms Export Control Act).

Preferred Qualifications:

• An In-depth knowledge of FAR, DFAR, and UCC as well as experience with different contract types.
• Experience supporting ECPs and REAs.
• Extensive Proposal Support is a plus.
• NCMA Certification (CPCM, CFCM and/or CCCM).

Salary & Benefits

Primary Level Salary Range: $117,500.00 - $176,300.00. 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.

Benefits: health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, Company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business.

Equal Employment 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 http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO.

U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.

Company Culture

We are a pioneering company. With careers across all areas: air, cyber, land, sea and space – our 90,000 employees work as one to defend and define the future. Northrop Grumman careers and internships are as varied as your interests, with a lifetime of potential that will give you every opportunity to do your best work. Working together with people from many backgrounds, personal passions and disciplines, we share a drive to push the boundaries of science, technology and engineering to meet the ever evolving needs of our customers worldwide.