Principal Contract Administrator Jobs
Principal Contract Administrator jobs are open across defense, aerospace, government contracting, healthcare, and construction, from mid-level to senior and principal, with specializations in federal acquisitions, subcontract management, and commercial contract compliance. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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Showing 5 of 37+ Principal Contract Administrator jobs
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.
We’re looking for you to join our team as a Senior Principal Contract Administrator based in Linthicum, MD supporting our Airborne Multifunction Sensors division. This is a full-time onsite position that offers the 9/80 schedule.
What You’ll Get to Do
This Senior Principal Contract Administrator will report directly to the OU Contract Manager and will provide support for mission critical new technology.
This position requires a strong understanding of DoD contracting, and also requires excellent communication, interpersonal and organizational skills. The ideal candidate is a team player; but also, a strong independent contributor with strong leadership and demonstrated problem-solving skills. The successful candidate will be responsible for all aspects of contracts from the business development phase through contract close-out and shall deliver strong customer satisfaction, successful financial performance and risk mitigation. The candidate must be able to build strong customer intimacy and must be a self-starter capable of working collaboratively with team members and acting as an advisor to program management and customers.
In this role, the selected candidate may:
- Ability to work complex assignments independently or in a group setting supporting Finance, Program Management and various levels of Management.
- Work multiple tasks simultaneously.
- Advise program teams of contractual rights and obligations, including interpretation of contract terms and conditions.
- Lead proposal preparation, contract negotiation and contract administration activities from pre-proposal through closeout for standard and non-standard contracts to provide for proper contract acquisition and fulfillment in accordance with company policies.
- Examines performance requirements, and delivery schedules to ensure accuracy and completeness.
- Participate in customer meetings to monitor compliance to contract requirements and lead the change management process.
- Maintain and update contract documents and official program records, including contractual documents and correspondence.
The successful candidate will have strong written and verbal communication skills, and the ability to solve a variety of complex problems by referring to policies and procedures as necessary
Basic Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s Degree with a minimum of 8 years of professional experience in contracts administration/management or related field (i.e. legal) OR a Master's Degree with a minimum of 6 years of of professional experience.
- Experience negotiating and administering various contract and agreement types.
- Experience with FAR and DFARS.
- U.S. Citizenship required.
- A current/active U.S. Government Secret clearance with the ability to obtain and maintain SAP is required.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience in the defense industry.
- Experience with USG and Prime customers.
- NCMA certification (CPCM, CFCM and/or CCCM).
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!
#MPR
Primary Level Salary Range: $112,200.00 - $168,200.00 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.
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.
We’re looking for you to join our team as a Senior Principal Contract Administrator based in Linthicum, MD supporting our Airborne Multifunction Sensors division. This is a full-time onsite position that offers the 9/80 schedule.
What You’ll Get to Do
This Senior Principal Contract Administrator will report directly to the OU Contract Manager and will provide support for mission critical new technology.
This position requires a strong understanding of DoD contracting, and also requires excellent communication, interpersonal and organizational skills. The ideal candidate is a team player; but also, a strong independent contributor with strong leadership and demonstrated problem-solving skills. The successful candidate will be responsible for all aspects of contracts from the business development phase through contract close-out and shall deliver strong customer satisfaction, successful financial performance and risk mitigation. The candidate must be able to build strong customer intimacy and must be a self-starter capable of working collaboratively with team members and acting as an advisor to program management and customers.
In this role, the selected candidate may:
- Ability to work complex assignments independently or in a group setting supporting Finance, Program Management and various levels of Management.
- Work multiple tasks simultaneously.
- Advise program teams of contractual rights and obligations, including interpretation of contract terms and conditions.
- Lead proposal preparation, contract negotiation and contract administration activities from pre-proposal through closeout for standard and non-standard contracts to provide for proper contract acquisition and fulfillment in accordance with company policies.
- Examines performance requirements, and delivery schedules to ensure accuracy and completeness.
- Participate in customer meetings to monitor compliance to contract requirements and lead the change management process.
- Maintain and update contract documents and official program records, including contractual documents and correspondence.
The successful candidate will have strong written and verbal communication skills, and the ability to solve a variety of complex problems by referring to policies and procedures as necessary
Basic Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s Degree with a minimum of 8 years of professional experience in contracts administration/management or related field (i.e. legal) OR a Master's Degree with a minimum of 6 years of of professional experience.
- Experience negotiating and administering various contract and agreement types.
- Experience with FAR and DFARS.
- U.S. Citizenship required.
- A current/active U.S. Government Secret clearance with the ability to obtain and maintain SAP is required.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience in the defense industry.
- Experience with USG and Prime customers.
- NCMA certification (CPCM, CFCM and/or CCCM).
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!
#MPR
Primary Level Salary Range: $112,200.00 - $168,200.00 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.
Principal Contract Administrator Jobs by Experience Level
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Find JobsPrincipal Contract Administrator Job Market
Who's Hiring
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in principal contract administrator jobs.
- 7 or more years of contract administration experience in federal or commercial environments
- Deep knowledge of FAR, DFARS, and applicable agency supplements
- Experience managing cost-plus, firm-fixed-price, and time-and-materials contracts
- NCMA certification such as CPCM, CFCM, or CCCM preferred or required
- Proficiency in contract management systems and enterprise resource planning tools
- Bachelor's degree in business, law, finance, or a related field
Tips for Your Principal Contract Administrator Job Search
Tailor your resume for FAR and DFARS
Federal Acquisition Regulation and Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement fluency are non-negotiable in most principal contract administrator postings. Call out specific clauses you've administered, not just that you have FAR experience, to clear applicant tracking systems and impress reviewers.
List your contract dollar thresholds
Hiring managers for principal-level roles want to know the complexity you've handled. State the highest contract value you've managed and whether that included cost-plus, firm-fixed-price, or time-and-materials vehicles, so your resume signals the right seniority immediately.
Filter by contract type, not just title
Job titles vary wildly across employers, so search for the contract types you specialize in, such as IDIQ, BPA, or subcontract administration, alongside the title. You'll surface relevant openings that use different naming conventions and avoid missing strong matches.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists principal contract administrator openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Prepare scenario answers around disputes
Interviewers at the principal level routinely ask how you've resolved contractor disputes, managed cure notices, or handled terminations for convenience. Prepare two or three specific examples with outcomes before your first screen, since these questions separate senior candidates from principal-caliber ones.
Negotiate using your certification tier
If you hold a CPCM, CFCM, or CCCM credential from the National Contract Management Association, cite your certification tier explicitly when discussing compensation. Certified candidates consistently receive stronger initial offers because employers factor in reduced onboarding and compliance risk.
Principal Contract Administrator Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
How many principal contract administrator jobs are remote?
About 31% of principal contract administrator openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, though the share varies by contract type and employer. Roles focused on commercial contracts and subcontract administration tend to offer more remote flexibility, while positions requiring facility access or classified work are typically on-site.
How do you become a principal contract administrator?
Start by earning a bachelor's degree in business, finance, law, or a related field, then build foundational experience in contract specialist or administrator roles. Pursue NCMA certification to validate your expertise and progress toward larger, more complex contract portfolios. Demonstrated experience managing high-value or multi-award contracts and leading junior staff is what moves candidates into principal-level consideration.
How do you get hired as a principal contract administrator with little experience?
Start in a contract specialist or procurement analyst role to build your FAR and contract lifecycle knowledge before targeting principal positions. Internships with federal agencies or defense contractors are strong entry points. Earning an NCMA student membership and getting your CFCM early signals seriousness to hiring managers and can accelerate your path to senior and principal titles.
What does the principal contract administrator interview process look like?
Most employers run two to three rounds, starting with a recruiter screen focused on your contract types and dollar thresholds, followed by a panel interview with contracting and program leadership. Expect scenario-based questions on dispute resolution, terminations, and compliance issues. Some employers add a written exercise asking you to review a contract clause or draft a negotiation summary.
Where can I find and apply to principal contract administrator jobs?
You can find and apply to principal contract administrator jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States. Search for roles that fit your contract type, industry, and seniority level, then apply directly to each listing that matches your background.
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