Associate Contract Administrator/Contract Administrator

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.

Adaptive Optics Associates – Xinetics (AOA Xinetics), a wholly-owned Northrop Grumman Space Systems, Payload and Ground Systems Division Strategic Business Unit, is currently seeking a Contract Administrator to support business activities in Devens, MA.

AOA Xinetics (AOX) is a leader in developing ‘smart’ electro-optical and opto-mechanical products. AOX designs, manufactures and services optical & photonic solutions world-wide.  Our customers include Government, Industrial, U.S. Defense Primes and Second-tier Contractors; Markets for these technologies include astronomy, logistics, and defense missions such as directed energy and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (i.e. ISR).

Overview

Reporting to the Contracts Manager, the Contract Administrator will be a highly motivated professional who will be responsible to support direct handling of proposals and contract activities of a diverse portfolio of internal, Government and Commercial business development opportunities under direct supervision. 

Responsibilities

• Prepares, negotiates, and maintains records of standard and non-standard agreements such as Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs), Teaming Agreements, Bailments, and Terms of Sale.

• Prepares correspondence and small, simple proposals, coordinates meetings and telecoms with internal and external customers, and maintains records of meeting notes.

• Enters data related to incoming customer contracts, and modifications for commercial, government, domestic and international customers into applicable NGC business systems using defined computer software (CMS, Microsoft Office products).

• Compiles, validates, and audits data and prepares reports in accordance with established quality and schedule parameters.

• Validates data with applicable customer purchase documents and internal policies, procedures, and business system requirements for completeness and accuracy.

• Investigates questionable data and recommends actions to resolve discrepancies to maintain data integrity within applicable business systems and databases. Notifies appropriate departments of any new or updated data.

• Maintains documentation integrity for audit.

• Performs a variety of assigned activities in support of the functional areas of Contracts and Business Management in furtherance of business goals and initiatives. 

• Maintain a personal log and plan of formal and informalized training opportunities to pursue career growth in the Contracts field.

• As the candidate grows in their experience, they will provide direct contract support to assigned programs such as review and approval of contractual documents to ensure protection of company's contractual/risk posture, satisfaction of contractual requirements and adherence to company policies.

• Review and analyze government or commercial solicitations to understand requirements and advise on all relevant contract issues.

• Ensure company proposals are fully responsive to prospective customer requirements.

• Maintain communication with Program Management Office on contract performance and act as formal communication channel to customers regarding funding or additional budget needs, documentation compliance concerns, schedule impacts, and negotiation of change management actions to ensure mutually satisfactory performance and adherence to AOX’s Quality Management System.

• Interface and collaborate across various departments, with senior and program management, and customer counter parts

This position may be filled as an Associate Contract Administrator (Level 1), or a Contract Administrator (Level 2)

Basic Qualifications for an Associate Contracts Administrator (Level 1):

• Bachelor’s Degree with 1-2 years’ contract and/or subcontract administration experience, or four years additional experience in lieu of a degree

• One to two years office experience in a professional environment

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with strong business aptitude

• Must be a team player, proactive, possess excellent problem-solving skills, and have thorough organizational skills

• Capability to work and multi-task in a dynamic, fast paced environment. 

• Ability to work with limited supervision.

• Introductory knowledge of government contracting  

• Ability to manage priorities to meet deadline

• Possess Intermediate – Advanced MS Office skills

• US Citizenship is a bona fide requirement

Basic Qualifications for a Contracts Administrator (Level 2):

• Same as above, but with 2-5 years’ experience with a Bachelor’s Degree, or an additional four years’ experience in lieu of a degree

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Finance, or related field

• Familiarity with multiple contracting formats, including Firm Fixed Price and/or Cost Reimbursable agreements

• Familiarity with terms and conditions and/or special contract clauses such as intellectual property protection

• Knowledge of FAR and DFARS, Sarbanes-Oxley, and U.S. export regulatory requirements

• Experience working with program management, finance, quality, engineering and/or manufacturing

• Demonstrated leadership, critical thinking and innovative behaviors in past projects, roles or experiences

• Ability to obtain a Top Secret Clearance

Salary Range: $58,000 USD - $87,000 USD

Salary Range 2: $70,200 USD - $105,200 USD

Employees may be eligible for 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 health and safety of our employees and their families is a top priority. The company encourages employees to remain up-to-date on their COVID-19 vaccinations. U.S. Northrop Grumman employees may be required, in the future, to be vaccinated or have an approved disability/medical or religious accommodation, pursuant to future court decisions and/or government action on the currently stayed federal contractor vaccine mandate under Executive Order 14042 https://www.saferfederalworkforce.gov/contractors/.

Northrop Grumman is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action 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/AA and Pay Transparency statement, please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for most positions.