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Updated 2026-06-19 20:00 UTC·© 2025–2026 RoleSuite
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Principal Contract Administrator

Northrop Grumman · United States-California-Sunnyvale

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: No relocation assistance available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: No

CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret

TRAVEL: Yes, 25% 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 Mission Systems is a trusted provider of mission-enabling solutions for global security. We have a wide portfolio of secure, affordable, integrated, and multi-domain systems and technologies. Our differentiated battle management and cyber solutions deliver timely, mission-enabling information and provide superior situational awareness and understanding to protect the U.S. and its global allies.

Northrop Grumman Marine Systems is looking for you to join our team as a Principal Contracts Administrator. The position may be staffed from the following sites with noted expectations:

  • Sunnyvale, CA - Preferred site, full-time onsite schedule
  • San  Diego, CA - full-time onsite schedule, travel to Sunnyvale, CA required one week per month
  • Baltimore, MD - full-time onsite schedule, West Coast working hours required; travel to Sunnyvale, CA required one week per month.  

Marine Systems brings our company’s pioneering spirit and commitment to performance excellence to the maritime and undersea domains.  We design and build systems that guide, power, and connect our nation’s submarines and aircraft carriers.

This position will support our critical Machinery Operating Unit, which has a mix of production and development programs. The successful candidate will have experience supporting contracts in a fast-paced organization.

What You Will Get To Do:

The Principal Contract Administrator will act as the primary interface with customers and business partners in conducting proposal preparation, contract negotiation and contract administration. The Contract Administrator will administer, extend, negotiate and terminate standard and nonstandard contracts. Conduct proposal preparation, contract negotiation, contract administration, and customer contact activities to provide for proper contract acquisition and fulfillment in accordance with company policies, legal requirements, and customer specifications.

Role and Responsibilities:

  • Establishing successful working relationships with customers via email, telephone, and in-person, when appropriate and an ability to act as an agent of change by identifying areas for process improvement and providing recommendations for implementation.
  • Collaborating effectively with the program team (finance, supply chain, quality & mission assurance, legal, pricing, and compliance) to recommend and complete actions to ensure successful program performance and advise management of contractual rights and obligations. 
  • Proposal preparation will include: examining proposal requirements and estimates, preparing bids, analyzing terms and conditions to evaluate risk, accuracy, and completeness to provide for proper contract acquisition and fulfillment in accordance with company policies, legal requirements, and customer specifications.
  • Contract administration includes processing contractual documentation and reports, advising management of contractual rights and obligations, compilation and analyses of data, and maintenance of historical information. Facilitate proper shipment, billing, and payment collection for deliveries, interfacing with DCMA as required. Preparation of weekly/monthly reports and maintenance of the contracts and accounting databases. Daily interaction with customer representatives is expected.
  • Leading solicitation and RFP review/analysis, proposal preparation, signoff coordination, evaluate estimates of material, equipment services, production costs, performance requirements, and delivery schedules to ensure accuracy and completeness.

Basic Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree with 5 years of contracts related experience – OR – Master’s degree with 3 years of contracts related experience
  • Working knowledge of FAR/DFARS
  • Experienced working with Requests for Equitable Adjustment (REAs) and Undefinitized Contract Action (UCAs) or similar
  • Experience with Microsoft Office including Excel, PowerPoint, and Word
  • U.S. Citizenship required
  • Ability to travel domestically 25% of the time.
  • Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Secret security clearance

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Experience working with commercial partners in the defense industry
  • Experience working with the government as a prime contractor or subcontractor to prime customer
  • Industry experience with the Navy or other Maritime experience
  • Demonstrated highly effective verbal and written communications.
  • Experience successfully presenting to all levels of management
  • Demonstrated success working as part of a team to achieve common goals
  • Active U.S. Government Secret clearance that has been adjudicated within the previous 5 years 

What We Can Offer You:

Northrop Grumman provides a comprehensive benefits package and a work environment which encourages your growth and supports the mutual success of our people and our company. Northrop Grumman benefits give you the flexibility and control to choose the benefits that make the most sense for you and your family.

Your benefits will include the following: Health Plan, Savings Plan, Paid Time Off and Additional Benefits including Education Assistance, Training and Development, 9/80 Work Schedule (where available), and much more!

MSBSMG 

Primary Level Salary Range: $89,900.00 - $141,200.00

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.

Legal pay context

Based on 797 disclosed Legal salaries on RoleSuite, the role pays a median of $167K/year, with most offers between $120K and $218K (10th–90th percentile: $91K–$262K).

This posting lists $90K–$141K, below the $167K market median.

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