Contract Administrator Jobs in California
Contract administrator jobs in California are among the most active in the country, with strong demand concentrated in defense contracting, construction, technology, and healthcare from entry-level coordinators through senior administrators. Los Angeles, San Diego, and the San Francisco Bay Area lead hiring volume, anchored by employers like Lockheed Martin, Bechtel, and Kaiser Permanente. The most sought-after specialties in California are government and defense contracts, construction contract administration, and procurement. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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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.Expand your horizons, advance your career, and contribute to a secure future for generations. Northrop Grumman’s Space Sector invites you to bring your pioneering spirit to our collaborative teams. As a Contracts Administrator – Level 2 located in our Miramar facility in San Diego, CA, you’ll be a linchpin in missions of paramount importance, defining the art of the possible from day one. This position is 100% onsite and cannot accommodate telecommute work.
Our Contract Administrators are responsible for supporting proposal preparation, contract negotiation, contract administration, and customer contact activities to provide and ensure proper contract execution and fulfillment in accordance with company policies, legal requirements, and customer requirements. You will be an embedded member of the program management team, supporting program success and new growth opportunities.
Job responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Monitor contracts and associated program(s) to ensure contractual obligations are communicated and understood, providing general contract adherence oversight
- Participate in contract proposal coordination and preparation to ensure timely submission to customers
- Participate in contract negotiations of a complex nature, including commercial and international contracts, in a timely manner under tight deadlines and pressure
- Manage contract administration and customer contract activities of assigned contracts in accordance with company policies, legal requirements, and customer specifications
- Offer guidance and work collaboratively with a multitude of organizational functions ranging from technical, program, finance, global supply chain, and security for seamless contract administration
- Ensure fulfillment of contract requirements, prepare and manage contract change requests for review and approval, and maintain historical information
- Review terms and conditions to address provisions and risks of financial terms, acceptance criteria, delivery requirements, warranty, intellectual property, termination provisions, indemnification, and all other potential risk areas and recommend risk mitigation strategies
- Build customer confidence and effectively cultivate relationships
- Enter and maintain contract data into contract and accounting systems, prioritizing activities while working on multiple tasks simultaneously
- Other duties as assigned
Basic Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree with 2 years of professional experience – OR – Master’s degree with 0 years of professional experience. Will consider an additional 4+ years of experience in lieu of degree.
- No clearance required to start
- Previous contracts administration or management experience
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience working with international customers
- Experience working competitive DoD proposals
- Experience negotiating and administering contracts of varying sizes and types of agreements with the DoD and DoD Prime Contractors
- Thorough understanding of the requirements of applicable Government regulations, including the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and Defense FAR Supplement (DFARS)
Curious about all the exciting developments with the Northrop Grumman Space Sector? Click the link below:
https://www.northropgrumman.com/space
Working at Northrop Grumman is more than just a paycheck. We offer a comprehensive Total Rewards and benefits package designed to help you thrive at work and in life. For more information on our Total Rewards package, please visit our Total Rewards site.
Northrop Grumman Total Rewards
Primary Level Salary Range: $75,800.00 - $113,800.00 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.
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.Expand your horizons, advance your career, and contribute to a secure future for generations. Northrop Grumman’s Space Sector invites you to bring your pioneering spirit to our collaborative teams. As a Contracts Administrator – Level 2 located in our Miramar facility in San Diego, CA, you’ll be a linchpin in missions of paramount importance, defining the art of the possible from day one. This position is 100% onsite and cannot accommodate telecommute work.
Our Contract Administrators are responsible for supporting proposal preparation, contract negotiation, contract administration, and customer contact activities to provide and ensure proper contract execution and fulfillment in accordance with company policies, legal requirements, and customer requirements. You will be an embedded member of the program management team, supporting program success and new growth opportunities.
Job responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Monitor contracts and associated program(s) to ensure contractual obligations are communicated and understood, providing general contract adherence oversight
- Participate in contract proposal coordination and preparation to ensure timely submission to customers
- Participate in contract negotiations of a complex nature, including commercial and international contracts, in a timely manner under tight deadlines and pressure
- Manage contract administration and customer contract activities of assigned contracts in accordance with company policies, legal requirements, and customer specifications
- Offer guidance and work collaboratively with a multitude of organizational functions ranging from technical, program, finance, global supply chain, and security for seamless contract administration
- Ensure fulfillment of contract requirements, prepare and manage contract change requests for review and approval, and maintain historical information
- Review terms and conditions to address provisions and risks of financial terms, acceptance criteria, delivery requirements, warranty, intellectual property, termination provisions, indemnification, and all other potential risk areas and recommend risk mitigation strategies
- Build customer confidence and effectively cultivate relationships
- Enter and maintain contract data into contract and accounting systems, prioritizing activities while working on multiple tasks simultaneously
- Other duties as assigned
Basic Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree with 2 years of professional experience – OR – Master’s degree with 0 years of professional experience. Will consider an additional 4+ years of experience in lieu of degree.
- No clearance required to start
- Previous contracts administration or management experience
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience working with international customers
- Experience working competitive DoD proposals
- Experience negotiating and administering contracts of varying sizes and types of agreements with the DoD and DoD Prime Contractors
- Thorough understanding of the requirements of applicable Government regulations, including the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and Defense FAR Supplement (DFARS)
Curious about all the exciting developments with the Northrop Grumman Space Sector? Click the link below:
https://www.northropgrumman.com/space
Working at Northrop Grumman is more than just a paycheck. We offer a comprehensive Total Rewards and benefits package designed to help you thrive at work and in life. For more information on our Total Rewards package, please visit our Total Rewards site.
Northrop Grumman Total Rewards
Primary Level Salary Range: $75,800.00 - $113,800.00 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.
See All 37 Contract Administrator Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Contract Administrator JobsContract Administrator Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Contract Administrator Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Northrop Grumman14
- General Atomics4
- Applus1
- Stantec1
- AEG Worldwide1
Top Industries Hiring
- Electronics & Hardware
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in contract administrator jobs across California.
- Bachelor's degree in business administration, construction management, or a related field
- Experience with FAR or DFARS regulations for defense and government contract work in California
- Proficiency in contract management software such as Deltek, Procore, or SAP
- Familiarity with California public contract code and state procurement regulations
- NCMA Certified Federal Contract Manager (CFCM) or Certified Commercial Contracts Manager (CCCM) credential preferred
- Strong written communication skills for drafting, reviewing, and negotiating contract terms
Contract Administrator Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a contract administrator in California?
Most contract administrator roles in California require a bachelor's degree in business administration, construction management, supply chain, or a related field. California has no state-issued license specific to the role, but employers in defense and government contracting strongly prefer candidates with a Certified Federal Contract Manager (CFCM) credential from the National Contract Management Association. Construction-focused positions often require familiarity with California public contract code alongside experience with Procore or similar platforms.
How much do contract administrators make in California?
Contract administrators in California earn a median of about $120,910 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $69,180 for the lowest 10% to over $188,560 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire contract administrators in California?
Employers hiring contract administrators in California right now include Northrop Grumman, General Atomics, and Applus, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. California's concentration of defense primes, large healthcare systems, and infrastructure firms means openings appear year-round across both the public and private sectors.
Which California cities have the most contract administrator jobs?
San Diego, Los Angeles, and Poway have the most contract administrator openings in California. Los Angeles and San Diego drive volume through their dense clusters of defense contractors and construction firms, while the Bay Area reflects demand from technology companies and large healthcare networks headquartered there.
Are there remote contract administrator jobs in California?
Yes, and more than many comparable roles. Contract administration is desk-based and document-driven, making it well suited to remote work. About 60% of contract administrator openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting how broadly distributed the employer base is. Contract review, compliance tracking, and vendor correspondence are the functions most commonly performed fully remotely.
How can I get hired as a contract administrator in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is a contracts coordinator or purchasing assistant role, which California defense primes and large construction firms such as Hensel Phelps and DPR Construction hire into regularly. Completing an NCMA student membership and pursuing the Certified Commercial Contracts Manager exam signals commitment to hiring managers. Adjacent roles in procurement, project coordination, or paralegal work at California law firms or county government offices are common lateral moves that transfer directly into contract administration.
Where can I find and apply to contract administrator jobs in California?
You can find and apply to contract administrator jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings updated regularly. Search roles by city or specialty, find a position that fits your experience and target industry, and apply directly to the employer through the listing.
See All 37 Contract Administrator Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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