Sr Principal Contract Administrator

Relocation assistance may be available. This position requires a Secret clearance and involves 10% travel.

About the role

Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems is seeking a Level 4 Principal Contract Administrator to join the RQ-4 Foreign Military Sales (FMS)/International Contracts team in San Diego, CA. This on-site role supports various contracts within the RQ-4 program, part of the AISR&T Business Unit in the Global Surveillance Division. The position requires working on-site weekly in Rancho Bernardo with a hybrid telework 9/80 schedule.

The Senior Principal Contract Administrator will serve as a key focal point on contract matters, performing complex tasks independently and advising program teams on contractual risks and obligations.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate company responses to customer Requests for Proposal (RFPs), ensuring understanding of Statements of Work (SOW)/contract requirements and advising on risk identification and mitigation strategies.
• Ensure company proposals are fully responsive to customer requirements, prepare proposal submittal documents, and coordinate internal reviews and approvals.
• Develop responses to fact-finding, evaluation notices, and requests for information (RFIs) to strengthen proposal support and address customer concerns.
• Develop and execute negotiation strategies to achieve the most beneficial agreements between Northrop Grumman and customers efficiently.
• Maintain excellent customer relationships to effectively communicate, administer, modify, negotiate, and terminate contractual agreements.
• Oversee contract performance, including schedules and deliverables, to ensure satisfactory program execution.
• Advise program teams on contractual rights, obligations, and interpretation of contract terms and conditions.
• Maintain and update contract documents, official program records, and correspondence.
• Review contractual documents to protect the company’s contractual and risk posture, ensure requirement satisfaction, and adhere to company policies.
• Research contract issues and prepare analyses with citations.
• Collaborate with technical staff to address customer requests.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree with 8 years of related professional experience, or a master’s degree with 6 years of related professional experience, or a PhD with 4 years of related professional experience.
• Experience with FAR/DFARS.
• Experience working with various contract types, including Time & Material, Cost-type, Firm Fixed Price, and Other Transactions.
• Experience with proposal development and negotiations.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret clearance within a reasonable timeframe as determined by business needs.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in U.S. Government Department of War contract administration and management.
• Experience in Foreign Military Sales (FMS) and International contracts, including Direct Commercial Sales.
• Experience working independently, collaborating with stakeholders, and serving as a key Subject Matter Expert.
• Experience briefing internal and external senior leadership and leading complex strategic proposals.
• Experience managing multiple complex tasks concurrently.
• Current, active DoD Secret-level security clearance.
• Experience leading development and negotiations of new contracts, including IDIQs and BOAs.
• Experience mentoring and developing junior contracts professionals.

Pay

Primary salary range: $117,500.00 – $176,300.00. The final offer considers factors such as scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate experience, education, skills, and current market conditions. Eligible employees may receive overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. Annual bonuses reward individual contributions and company results. 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.
• Paid time off (PTO) for vacation and personal business.

Schedule

Hybrid telework schedule following a 9/80 workweek (e.g., nine-hour days with every other Friday off). On-site work is required weekly in Rancho Bernardo, San Diego, CA.