Full-Time
Staff Contracts Administrator
Northrop Grumman
10,001+ employees
Diversified defense and space systems integrator
No salary listed
No H1B Sponsorship
El Segundo, CA, USA
In Person
On-site in Redondo Beach, California. No remote work.
US Top Secret Clearance, US Citizenship Required
 Legal & Compliance (1) |
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- Bachelor’s degree with 12 years of professional experience – OR – Master’s degree with 10 years of professional experience – OR – PhD with 8 years of professional experience. Will consider an additional 4+ years of experience in lieu of degree.
- Requires an active Top-Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) clearance at time of application
- Experience negotiating and administering various contract types
- Understanding the requirements of government regulations, such as FAR or DFAR
- Prioritize proposal activities and working 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
- 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)
Northrop Grumman designs and builds advanced aerospace and defense systems across aeronautics, space, mission systems, and electronic defense. It delivers complex, integrated platforms—aircraft, spacecraft, sensors, and software—through large national programs and long-term contracts. It differentiates itself by its long history of strategic acquisitions and breadth across air, sea, space, and cyber domains, enabling end-to-end solutions. Its goal is to strengthen national security and extend global reach by developing and fielding advanced capabilities such as stealth bombers, space systems, missiles, and cyber defenses while maintaining scale and a robust backlog.
Company Size
10,001+
Company Stage
IPO
Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia
Founded
1939
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- FIRESTRIKE™ 15 kW solid-state laser modules enable scalable 100 kW battlefield systems for military utility.
- Sentinel ICBM program expansion in Utah supports accelerated initial capability delivery by early 2030s.
- NATO's MQ-4C Triton acquisition validates long-endurance maritime ISR dominance and shared Global Hawk lineage.
What critics are saying
- B-21 Raider margin erosion caps operating margins at 11%–11.5% through 2028, limiting cash flow lift.
- Sentinel single-piece titanium tank certification bottlenecks could delay delivery beyond early 2030, triggering $2B–$3B penalties.
- Emerging CCA wingmen using Cfoam tooling may undercut Northrop's cost-per-unit advantage by 20%–30% post-2027.
What makes Northrop Grumman unique
- Northrop Grumman uniquely integrates stealth aircraft, space telescopes, and strategic deterrence systems like Sentinel.
- The company pioneered the B-21 Raider and James Webb Space Telescope, combining air dominance with cosmic exploration.
- It operates as a diversified technology integrator across aeronautics, space, mission systems, and defense electronics.
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Benefits
Health Insurance
Life Insurance
Disability Insurance
Paid Vacation
Paid Holidays
Relocation Assistance
Performance Bonus
Growth & Insights and Company News
6 month growth
↓ -2%1 year growth
↓ -2%2 year growth
↓ -2%NOC is down 32% from its high. The backlog just hit $105B. Northrop Grumman just delivered its strongest earnings beat in recent memory. The stock is still down about 32% from its March 2026 peak of $774. That gap is the entire debate in one sentence. On July 21, before the market opened, Northrop Grumman reported Q2 2026 sales of $10.9 billion, up 5% year-over-year, with net earnings of $1.09 billion and diluted EPS of $7.68. The EPS number beat consensus of about $6.82 by roughly 12.6% - a meaningful surprise for a defense name. Management raised full-year sales guidance to a midpoint of $44.0 billion and lifted the adjusted EPS outlook by $1.20 to a range of $28.60 to $29.10. The company also disclosed a record backlog, now at $105 billion, driven by what management described as a robust global demand environment. The stock moved higher after the report. But the chart still shows a name that traded as high as $774 in early March and was sitting around $525 the week before earnings. Northrop Grumman shares remain well below their 52-week high of $774.00 and trade beneath both the 50-day simple moving average of roughly $538 and the 200-day SMA of approximately $624, indicating lingering technical pressure despite strong fundamental underpinnings. What drove the selloff from the peak. Two things pulled NOC from its highs. Aeronautics led growth, with operating results improving from the prior year as certain B-21 charges recorded previously did not recur in the same way. However, the B-21 remains a key execution risk, and the program's loss position is still a critical investor overhang. Second, the broader defense sector saw institutional rotation as rate expectations shifted and some of the geopolitical premium baked into early 2026 faded. The stock's sideways price action reflects a tug-of-war between bullish contract wins and cautious analyst recalibrations. Here's where it gets interesting. Northrop Grumman is heading into its post-earnings period with an average analyst price target of $670.48, compared to a current share price near $525. That is a 27% gap between where the Street thinks it belongs and where it is actually trading. The stock sits roughly 32% below its 52-week high. The defense budget tailwind is real. The broader defense sector has benefited from expectations of robust U.S. military spending, including a proposed $1.5 trillion U.S. defense-budget request. Northrop Grumman's earnings have benefited from solid demand, supported by one of the strongest backlogs in the defense industry. It offers strong visibility into near-term revenue streams. Continued geopolitical tensions, increasing U.S. and allied defense spending, and demand for advanced aircraft, missile defense, space systems, and autonomous technologies have continued to support new contract awards and program execution. That backlog number is worth pausing on. A $105 billion contracted book against roughly $44 billion in annual revenue is nearly 2.4 years of forward sales visibility. Most of the revenue for the next two-plus years is already under contract. That is not a company guessing at its demand line. Slight tangent that matters: the Mission Systems segment - sensors, radar, C4ISR - is guiding to high $12 billion in full-year sales with approximately 15% operating margins. That is a quietly high-margin business inside a defense company being valued almost entirely on a troubled bomber program. The market tends to collapse NOC into one story. The actual business is four different ones. Options market analysis. With Q2 earnings now behind it, implied volatility on NOC has settled back toward baseline. Ahead of the July 21 report, the options market had priced an implied move of roughly plus or minus 9.18% for NOC. The actual reaction came in smaller, which means anyone who sold premium into the event collected a favorable crush. The next hard catalyst is Q3 earnings, expected in October. Between now and then, the trade is about whether the guidance raise and record backlog close the valuation gap to the Street's targets over multiple weeks. Bull case: For traders expecting the $105B backlog and raised EPS guidance to pull institutional capital back into NOC, a defined-risk call spread targeting $560-$590 into late Q3 captures the re-rating while limiting downside. The company reaffirmed adjusted free cash flow guidance of $3.1 billion to $3.5 billion for 2026 and said it still expects $1.85 billion of capital expenditures this year. That cash flow underpins the valuation floor. Bear case: For traders expecting additional B-21 charges or program execution delays to surface before October, a put spread anchored below the $496-$500 zone defines the risk. Neutral case: For traders expecting NOC to consolidate in the $510-$550 range while the backlog-to-valuation gap closes slowly, a short put at a discount to current levels collects premium while the fundamental case builds toward the October report. Risk analysis. Q2 2026 sales came in at $10.9 billion, up 5%, with operating margin at 10.1%, versus 13.8% a year earlier, mainly due to a prior-year divestiture gain and lower pension adjustment. The underlying business did not deteriorate - comparisons did. But margin trajectory matters for re-rating, and any further B-21 related charges would extend the compression. Execution on the B-21 Raider and Sentinel programs remains paramount, as these represent both the largest growth opportunities and the most significant cost-overrun risks. Programs of this complexity have historically produced surprises. Forward outlook. Year to date, Northrop Grumman's sales rose 5% to $20.8 billion, while net earnings increased 19% to about $2.0 billion and diluted EPS reached $13.83, helped by stronger segment operating income and a sharply lower effective tax rate of 10.4% versus 17.5%, driven by research tax credits and remeasurement of uncertain tax positions. At roughly $525, NOC trades at approximately 18x the midpoint of its raised 2026 EPS guidance. The analyst average target near $670 implies the stock should trade closer to 23x. The gap between those two multiples is the entire NOC investment debate right now. The Q2 beat is done. The backlog is on the record. The guidance is raised. What is not resolved is whether the B-21 program overhang and the margin compression from prior-year comparisons are already fully priced into a 32% discount to the year's high - or whether there is more to work through before the recovery gains traction. That answer will not come until October.
Northrop Grumman wins $1.2bn US Navy contract for new E-2D Block II aircraft. The no fee undefinitised contract covers the production, delivery, and associated support for the aircraft. July 24, 2026 Northrop Grumman has won a not-to-exceed $1.19bn contract to produce three E-2D Advanced Hawkeye Block II aircraft for the US Navy. The undefinitised contract, announced by the US Department of War (DoW) on 22 July, covers manufacturing, delivery, and associated support for the trio of aircraft. According to the DoW, key work locations include Melbourne, Florida with 29.88%, St. Augustine, Florida with 17.68%, and Liverpool, New York with 13.85%. Additional work will be carried out at various sites in the US and internationally, including Wimborne Minster in Dorset, UK. Approximately 21% of work will be distributed across various locations within the continental United States. Work is due to be completed by December 2031. The DoW stated that $583.394m of fiscal year 2026 Navy aircraft procurement funds are being obligated at the time of award. The Naval Air Systems Command is managing the contracting activity. The E-2D Advanced Hawkeye Block II is the forthcoming upgrade to the long-serving E-2 airborne command and control aircraft platform, which has been in service for over 60 years. Northrop Grumman stated last year that the new Block II iteration will introduce a series of enhancements to the platform. At the Air and Space Power Conference in London on 16 July 2025, Jane Bishop, Northrop Grumman's sector vice president and general manager for global surveillance, indicated that Block II will be "fielded in a couple of years". In April this year, Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin confirmed that they completed flight trials for the Digital Receiver Exciter Recorder (DREXR) upgrade on the US Navy's E-2D Advanced Hawkeye. The E-2D, the latest version in the E-2 series, is designed for airborne early warning and command and control, providing a 360-degree surveillance capability over both land and sea. Give your business an edge with its Defence & Security systems international
Defeating drone threats. Maximizing Battlefield Flexibility with Innovative Guns and Ammunition By Allison Newman On today's battlefield, the hum of a drone overhead has become all too familiar. Affordable and easy to fly, these unmanned systems are one of the most commonly used tactics by adversaries of the U.S. and allies to gather intelligence, evade traditional defenses and quickly launch precise attacks. With drone threats advancing faster than ever, Northrop Grumman's flexible, cutting-edge technology marries speed with innovation to defeat drones like never before. Through close collaboration with our warfighters and partners, we drive continuous innovation - anticipating emerging challenges and providing the precise capabilities needed, exactly when and where they matter most. Building upon the reliability and precision of the Bushmaster family of Chain Guns that our customers know us for, our teams are building next-generation weapon systems and ammunition to elevate battlefield adaptability. "We built this technology because the need is real - and it's ready now to help protect those on the front lines," said Rylan Harris, director of business development for Northrop Grumman armament systems. His team works on the M230LF Dual Feed Bushmaster(R) Chain Gun, which was engineered to address the growing counter unmanned aircraft systems (C-UAS) threat. "In the end, defeating drones comes down to reliable capability and the Bushmaster Dual Feed with our proximity ammunition will win the fight." Northrop Grumman's M230LF Dual Feed Bushmaster Chain Gun integrated with SAAB's Trackfire weapon station on the CB90 Combat Boat. Revolutionizing flexibility on the front lines. Currently, warfighters need one type of ammunition to defeat ground threats and another to defeat drones. With the Dual Feed cannon, operators can switch between these two ammunition types with the push of a button, with no time lost reloading or changing weapons. When seconds matter for survival, this mission flexibility gives an instant battlefield advantage. "Seeing the emerging needs of the warfighter as C-UAS threats evolve, our team moved with urgency," Rylan said. "We saw where the battlefield was going and built a solution to meet it." The versatility of the Dual Feed cannon enables commanders to respond swiftly to both unmanned aircraft systems threats and ground combat situations, adapting to rapidly changing mission demands. Whether engaging drones swarming overhead or enemy vehicles advancing on the ground, operators remain ready with superior capability in any operational setting. Our advanced ammunition, including proximity and air-bursting rounds, are ideal for defeating small unmanned aerial systems. Accelerating advanced ammunition. Northrop Grumman's commitment to innovation goes beyond the cannon itself. For more than 30 years, the company has led advancements in medium-caliber ammunition and now delivers cutting-edge solutions that provide warfighters with a decisive edge in counter-UAS missions. The Bushmaster Dual Feed cannon utilizes two types of our advanced ammunition, including XM1198 high-explosive rounds designed to defeat armored targets and the XM1211 proximity-fuzed rounds for C-UAS engagements. Designed and produced in partnership with the U.S. Army, the XM1211 is a 30x113mm round integrated with a proximity sensor that detonates when it gets close enough to detect a target, sending fragmentation to defeat it. This makes it ideal for C-UAS operations, as drone targets are typically small, fast and hard to hit precisely. Our advanced ammunition is demonstrating real-world effectiveness against drones and we're continuing to ramp production on these critically needed rounds to meet escalating global C-UAS threats," Rylan said. To meet growing global demand for cannons and ammunition, Northrop Grumman is investing in equipment, facilities and tools to accelerate capacity expansion and reduce lead-times. We are engineering technology that responds swiftly to the rapidly changing battlefield. Not just to keep pace with the future of warfare, but to dominate it. Related reading. Summary. Northrop Grumman addresses evolving drone threats with the M230LF Dual Feed Bushmaster Chain Gun and advanced proximity ammunition, enabling rapid ammunition switching and enhancing battlefield flexibility for precise counter-UAS operations. Key takeaways. * The Dual Feed Bushmaster cannon allows instant switching between ammo types, improving warfighter response to drone and ground threats. * Accelerated ammunition production and innovative weapon systems underscore Northrop Grumman's commitment to scalable, mission-ready solutions.
Northrop Grumman's Mission Robotic Vehicle launches, ushering in a new era of in-space servicing. First-of-its-kind satellite servicing vehicle and three life extension "jetpack" spacecraft enhance resilience and sustainment of assets in space July 22, 2026 Summary. Northrop Grumman launched its first-of-its-kind Mission Robotic Vehicle and three Mission Extension Pods, pioneering autonomous in-space satellite servicing, life extension, refueling, and AI-enabled operations to enhance space asset resilience and sustainability. Key takeaways. * The MRV and MEPs transform satellite servicing with autonomous robotics, life-extension propulsion and on-orbit refueling capabilities. * The company's significant investment and partnership with DARPA resulted in an innovative, autonomous, multi-function space robotics platform. CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - July 22, 2026 - Northrop Grumman's (NYSE: NOC) Mission Robotic Vehicle and three Mission Extension Pods launched successfully, enhancing the resilience, mobility and sustainability of our nation's assets in space. Northrop Grumman's significant investment and partnership with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) resulted in an innovative, autonomous, multi-function space robotics platform. The MRV will expand customer options for satellite servicing and enable new in-space operations including robotic satellite inspection, relocation, repair, debris removal, upgrades, experimentations and in-space assembly. * First-of-its-kind Robotic Servicing. The MRV integrates DARPA's robotics payload developed by the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, featuring two fully articulated robotic arms and specialized tools for unprecedented space missions. * Life-Extension. The MEPs serve as "jetpacks" to provide supplemental propulsion to extend a satellite's life and allow for maneuvering. * Refuelable. The MRV launches with the first Passive Refueling Module (PRM), a Space Force-approved docking and refueling interface standard that enables MRV to be refueled on orbit and perform future sustained space maneuver missions. * Artificial Intelligence. MRV launched with the advanced processing needed to support future AI-powered operations. Northrop Grumman uses AI to increase reliability, reduce costs, increase mission assurance, and soon, enable never-before-seen in-space servicing on future MRV operations. MRV and three MEPs prior to encapsulation in the launch vehicle fairing. (Photo Credit: SpaceX) Ryan Tintner, vice president and general manager, space superiority, Northrop Grumman: "The MRV is a whole new class of advanced autonomous space robotics that will learn and evolve to support novel missions for our nation. These are not demonstrations. Our world-leading investments in these capabilities are finally providing options in space that are only limited by our imagination." Using Northrop Grumman's proven expertise in rendezvous and proximity operations and docking, the MRV will safely dock with and service client satellites. With its successful Mission Extension Vehicles (MEV), the company's first-generation satellite servicing spacecraft, Northrop Grumman is the first and only company to extend the life of commercial satellites running low on fuel. To date, the two on-orbit MEVs have docked with three commercial communications satellites in geosynchronous orbit and have provided more than ten years of combined mission extension services. The MEPs build on the success of MEVs by offering a more affordable, smaller-form-factor life extension solution that can be rapidly deployed to a wide range of satellites. The MRV, MEV and MEPs leverage Northrop Grumman's proven American manufacturing expertise. The company-built mission-enabling thermal control products and electronics protect and control MRV's robotic arms in space, while the space electronics aboard MRV's electric propulsion thruster units are crucial to maneuvering the vehicle in space. Northrop Grumman is a leading global aerospace and defense technology company. Our pioneering solutions equip our customers with the capabilities they need to connect and protect the world, and push the boundaries of human exploration across the universe. Driven by a shared purpose to solve our customers' toughest problems, our employees define possible every day. Media Contact Ellen Klicka 703-402-4404 PHOTONorthrop Grumman's Mission Robotic Vehicle Launche...
2026 CapitalCISO ORBIE Awards recognize top security executives. GlobeNewswire | Inspire Leadership Network Today at 1:40pm UTC MCLEAN, Va., June 26, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) - The 2026 CapitalCISO ORBIE Awards honored leading chief information security officers (CISOs) from Northrop Grumman Corporation, Navy Federal Credit Union, Office of Personnel Management, Calvert County Government & University of Maryland Medical System for their exceptional leadership. Hosted by CapitalCISO, a chapter of the Inspire Leadership Network, the prestigious awards honor CISOs who drive business transformation and industry impact. Held at The Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner, the ceremony brought together top executives and industry leaders to honor excellence in security leadership across five award categories. "Behind every successful cybersecurity strategy is a CISO leading the vision," said Michael Baker, CapitalCISO Chair. "The ORBIE Awards are the ultimate recognition program for the leaders behind the work." Meet the 2026 CapitalCISO ORBIE Award Winners: * Grant Jewell, Corporate Director & Deputy CISO, Northrop Grumman Corporation, received the Global ORBIE for organizations over $1 billion annual revenue & multi-national operations. * Mike Newborn, CISO, Navy Federal Credit Union, received the Large Enterprise ORBIE for organizations over $10 billion annual revenue. * Danielle Rowell, CISO, Office of Personnel Management (fmr), received the Enterprise ORBIE for organizations over $1 billion annual revenue. * Kat Poff, CISO, Deputy Director of Technology Services, Calvert County Government, received the Corporate ORBIE for organizations up to $1 billion annual revenue. * Duc Lai, VP IT Security & CISO, University of Maryland Medical System, received the Healthcare ORBIE for hospitals & healthcare organizations. About the ORBIE: The ORBIE is the preeminent executive recognition for C-suite leaders. Since 1998, the ORBIE Awards have recognized leadership excellence, building relationships between executives and trusted business partners, and inspiring the next generation of executives. Finalists and winners are selected through an independent peer-adjudicated process led by prior ORBIE recipients based on the following criteria: * Leadership and management effectiveness * Business protection created by enterprise security * Engagement in industry and community endeavors CapitalCISO ORBIE Keynote & Attendance: The keynote conversation for the CapitalCISO ORBIE Awards was delivered by Michael Baker, Vice President and Global CISO, DXC Technology, and Frank Aiello, Senior Vice President and CISO, Maximus. Nearly 250 guests attended, representing leading Capital Area organizations and their technology partners. The following partners made the 2026 CapitalCISO ORBIE Awards possible: * Underwriters: Fortinet & Halcyon * Gold Partners: Chainguard, Method Security & Wiz * Silver Partners: Abnormal Security, Okta & Zscaler * Bronze Partners: Between Pixels, Bricklayer AI, Cyera, Elisity, GuidePoint Security, Horizon3.ai, LevelBlue, Netskope & RSM * Media Partner: Washington Business Journal * Nonprofit Partner: Year Up United About CapitalCISO: CapitalCISO is the preeminent peer leadership network of chief information security officers (CISOs) in Capital Area. As one of over 50 chapters of the Inspire Leadership Network, CapitalCISO belongs to a national membership organization exclusively comprised of C-suite leaders from public and private businesses, government, education, healthcare, and nonprofit institutions. CapitalCISO is led by a CISO Advisory Board, with support from an executive director and staff. Underwriter executives support the chapter and ensure the programs remain non-commercial and exclusive to qualified CISOs and members. About Inspire Leadership Network: Inspire Leadership Network is the preeminent peer leadership network of C-suite executives. With nearly 2,000 members across over 50 local chapters, Inspire members serve public and private businesses, government, education, healthcare, and non-profit institutions. Inspire exists to help leaders thrive in today's most challenging executive roles. This is a paid placement. For further inquiries, please contact GlobeNewswire directly.