Principal Contract Administrator

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: No relocation assistance available CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: No CLEARANCE TYPE: Top Secret TRAVEL: Yes, 10% 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 Mission Systems is looking for you to join our team as a Principal Contract Administrator based out of Linthicum, MD supporting the Mission Next (MNX) Division. This is an onsite position that offers the 9/80 work schedule. What You’ll get to Do: You will support the Advanced Systems and Technology Operating Unit in the Mission Next (MNX) Division, Emerging Capabilities Development (ECD) Business Unit, working closely with Program Management, Business Management, Legal, Global Supply Chain, and Engineering. The selected candidate will be responsible for supporting proposal preparation, contract negotiation, contract administration and customer contract activities to enable contract acquisition and fulfillment in accordance with company policies, legal requirements, and customer requirements. The primary responsibilities include administration of standard and nonstandard contracts through proposal preparation, contract negotiation, administration, and closeout by interfacing with all levels of management and customer counterparts. The individual must be able to manage tight deadlines and meet high-performance expectations in a complex and dynamic contracting environment.  Excellent communication skills and strong organizational and customer service skills are a must as the selected candidate will be directly involved in negotiations with the customer as a strategic team member. Ideal candidates are team players who can provide clear direction and guidance to customers and internal stakeholders with a passion for creative problem solving. Our team is looking for engaged candidates who want to grow and support our critical business endeavors!   Key responsibilities: • Act as a primary contracts focal and customer interface for assigned programs, establishing and maintaining strong working relationships with customers and internal stakeholders through clear written, virtual, and in‑person communication to ensure contractual obligations are clearly communicated, understood, and fulfilled. • Work under general direction to perform a wide range of contract administration activities, collaborating with cross‑functional teams (program management, finance, supply chain, mission assurance, legal, pricing, compliance, and others) to support program objectives while maintaining compliance with contract requirements and company procedures. • Lead solicitation and RFP activit