Principal​/Sr Principal Contract Administrator - R10217359

Principal/Senior Principal Contract Administrator

Location: Plymouth, MN (On‑site; hybrid or remote not available).

Relocation Assistance: None.

Travel: Yes, approximately 10% of the time.

Security Clearance: Secret required.

Description: At Northrop Grumman, our employees work on revolutionary systems that impact people’s lives around the world today and for generations to come. Our pioneering spirit has kept us at the forefront of many technological advancements—from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean to stealth bombers and landing on the moon. We seek 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 are making it.

In the Defense Systems Sector, we are looking for a Principal/Senior Principal Contract Administrator to support a dynamic, high‑volume, fast‑paced contracting environment. The candidate will manage customer relationships while collaborating internally with program and functional team members to facilitate successful contract execution and resolve emerging issues. Experience with international or commercial contracts, and familiarity with FAR/DFAR’s is a plus.

This requisition may be filled at a higher grade based on qualifications listed below.

• Prioritize proposal activities and work on multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Identify contractual risks and mitigate them with appropriate provisions.
• Serve as a key business advisor to program managers on contractual and operational matters.
• Oversee all phases of contract administration from preparation and negotiation through execution, changes or extensions, and termination.
• Plan and execute successful complex contract negotiations, achieving target profit rates and favorable terms.
• Build customer intimacy despite geographical separation and cultivate early‑stage relationships.
• Make timely decisions under tight deadlines and pressure.
• Provide guidance and collaborate with technical, finance, supply‑chain, and trade compliance organizations for seamless administration.
• Maintain organized electronic and hard‑copy records of all contracts for easy access and auditing.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Level 3:
  Bachelor’s degree with 5+ years of contract experience OR Master’s degree with 3+ years.
• Level 4:
  Bachelor’s degree with 8+ years of contract experience OR Master’s degree with 6+ years.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, capable of informing, presenting, and negotiating to all managerial levels.
• Team player, independent, proactive, with strong problem‑solving, oral and written communication, and organizational skills.
• Experience evaluating/negotiating FAR clauses in various contract types.

• Demonstrated people‑leadership and/or supervisory/management experience.
• Excellent problem‑solving and decision‑making skills to resolve complex issues and minimize risk.
• Ability to work independently and make decisions while collaborating with stakeholders and subject‑matter experts.
• Knowledge of Contract Management System (CMS) and Cost Point (CP).
• Proficient in Excel, PowerPoint, Word, SharePoint, etc.

Primary Level Salary Range: $89,900.00 – $
Secondary Level Salary Range: $ – $

Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and discretionary bonuses in addition to base pay. Annual bonuses reward individual contributions and allow sharing in company results. Positions at VP or Director level may be eligible for long‑term incentives. Northrop Grumman offers health insurance, life and disability insurance, a savings plan, company‑paid holidays, and paid time off for vacation and personal business.

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