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Principal Contracts Administrator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

STR

Principal Contracts Administrator

Woburn, MA · On-site

$153K - $200K/yr

STR is seeking a highly motivated candidate with federal contract management experience to join our growing Contracts & Supply Chain team as a Principal Contracts Administrator. This role with lead ...

STR

Principal Contracts Administrator

Arlington, VA

$153K - $200K/yr

STR is seeking a highly motivated candidate with federal contract management experience to join our growing Contracts & Supply Chain team as a Principal Contracts Administrator. This role with lead ...

STR

Principal Contracts Administrator

Arlington, VA

$153K - $200K/yr

STR is seeking a highly motivated candidate with federal contract management experience to join our growing Contracts & Supply Chain team as a Principal Contracts Administrator. This role with lead ...

Socket.dev

Principal Contracts Administrator

Arlington, VA · On-site

$153 - $200/hr

STR is seeking a highly motivated candidate with federal contract management experience to join our growing Contracts & Supply Chain team as a Principal Contracts Administrator. This role with lead ...

STR

Principal Contracts Administrator

Arlington, VA · On-site

$153K - $200K/yr

STR is seeking a highly motivated candidate with federal contract management experience to join our growing Contracts & Supply Chain team as a Principal Contracts Administrator. This role with lead ...

STR

Principal Contracts Administrator

Woburn, MA · On-site

$153K - $200K/yr

STR is seeking a highly motivated candidate with federal contract management experience to join our growing Contracts & Supply Chain team as a Principal Contracts Administrator. This role with lead ...

STR

Principal Contracts Administrator

Woburn, MA · On-site

$153K - $200K/yr

STR is seeking a highly motivated candidate with federal contract management experience to join our growing Contracts & Supply Chain team as a Principal Contracts Administrator. This role with lead ...

Socket.dev

Principal Contracts Administrator

Woburn, MA · On-site

$153 - $200/hr

STR is seeking a highly motivated candidate with federal contract management experience to join our growing Contracts & Supply Chain team as a Principal Contracts Administrator. This role with lead ...

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How much do principal contracts administrator jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 24, 2026, the average yearly pay for principal contracts administrator in the United States is $73,187.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $57,000.00 and $88,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a principal contracts administrator?

A Principal Contracts Administrator is a senior professional responsible for overseeing the creation, negotiation, and management of contracts within an organization. They ensure that all agreements comply with legal requirements, company policies, and client needs. This role often involves leading a team, providing guidance on complex contractual matters, and serving as the primary point of contact for significant contract negotiations. Principal Contracts Administrators play a critical role in minimizing risk and maximizing value for their organization through effective contract management.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a principal contracts administrator?

To thrive as a Principal Contracts Administrator, you need expertise in contract law, negotiation, risk assessment, and compliance, often supported by a relevant degree and significant contract management experience. Familiarity with contract management software (such as SAP Ariba or Deltek Costpoint), government regulations (like FAR/DFARS), and professional certifications (such as CPCM) is typically required. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for managing complex contract processes and resolving disputes. These skills ensure that contractual obligations are met, risks are minimized, and organizational interests are protected in high-stakes agreements.

How does a principal contracts administrator typically collaborate with project managers and legal teams during contract negotiations?

A Principal Contracts Administrator regularly works closely with project managers to ensure that contract terms align with project requirements, timelines, and budgets. They also engage with legal teams to review and negotiate complex clauses, ensuring compliance with regulations and organizational policies. This collaboration helps to mitigate risks and resolve issues proactively, making effective communication and teamwork essential to the role. By acting as a liaison among multiple departments, the Principal Contracts Administrator ensures all contractual obligations are clearly understood and managed throughout the project lifecycle.

What is the difference between Principal Contracts Administrator vs Contracts Administrator?

AspectPrincipal Contracts AdministratorContracts Administrator
Required CredentialsTypically requires a bachelor's degree in law, business, or related field; certifications like CPCM or NCMA are commonUsually requires a high school diploma or associate degree; certifications like CPCM or NCMA are also beneficial
Work EnvironmentWorks in corporate or large project settings, often overseeing multiple contracts and teamsWorks in similar environments but with a focus on specific contracts or projects
Employer & Industry UsageCommon in construction, government, and large corporate sectorsUsed across various industries including construction, government, and manufacturing

The Principal Contracts Administrator typically holds more advanced responsibilities, overseeing complex contracts and leading teams, whereas the Contracts Administrator focuses on managing individual contracts and supporting contract processes. Both roles require similar credentials and are vital in contract management within their industries.

How much do principal contracts administrators make in the US?

Principal Contracts Administrators in the US typically earn between $80,000 and $130,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and industry. They often require strong negotiation skills and knowledge of contract law, with certifications like CPCM or CPM being advantageous.

Is a principal contracts administrator a good career?

A principal contracts administrator is a professional responsible for managing and negotiating contracts, often requiring strong legal knowledge, attention to detail, and negotiation skills. It can be a stable career with opportunities for advancement in industries such as construction, engineering, and government contracting. Certification and experience can enhance job prospects and earning potential.

What job categories do people searching Principal Contracts Administrator jobs look for?

The top searched job categories for Principal Contracts Administrator jobs are:

Principal Contracts Administrator jobs near you
Infographic showing various Principal Contracts Administrator job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $73,187 per year, or $35.2 per hour.

Principal Contracts Administrator

Northrop Grumman Corporation

Beavercreek, OH • On-site

$85K - $128K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Life, PTO

Re-posted 2 days ago

Northrop Grumman rating

8.2

Company rating: 8.2 out of 10

Based on 365 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

85th of 544 rated manufacturers

Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available
CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes
CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret
TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the TimeDescription
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 Aeronautics Systems Sector (NGAS) has an opening for a Principal Contract Administrator to join our team of qualified, diverse individuals within our Air Dominance Division. This role is located in Dayton, Ohio. This position is full-time on-site and offers the 9/80 work Schedule.
As a member of the contracts team, you always act with integrity, and the highest ethical standards characterize everything you do. You enable the team to achieve predictable and balanced results, while satisfying the needs of internal and external partners. You will treat all people with respect, and model personal growth and continuous development. You will be part of an inclusive environment that attracts, retains, and inspires a diverse and engaged team. You create trusted and valued customer relationships and communicate effectively, so that people throughout the organization feel that you are engaged and connected to your work. You deliver excellence, strive for continuous improvement, and response vigorously to change. You demonstrate our committed pursuit of applying innovation to meet the requirements of our customer.
Responsibilities include by are not limited to:
  • Interfaces with external customers and internal business partners, conducting proposal preparation, contract negotiation, and contract administration
  • Examines proposal requirements and estimates, prepares bids, analyzes terms and conditions to evaluate risk, accuracy, and completeness to provide for proper contract acquisition and fulfillment in accordance with company policies, legal requirements, and customer specifications
  • Offers guidance and works collaboratively with a multitude of organizations ranging from technical, program, pricing and estimating, finance, global supply chain, and trade compliance for seamless contract administration
  • Processes contractual documentation and reports, advises management of contractual rights and obligations, compiles and analyzes data and maintains historical information
  • Oversees all phases of the contract administration process, from initial preparation and negotiation through execution, change or extensions and termination
  • Plans and executes successful contract negotiations of a complex nature and achieves targeted profit rates, favorable terms and conditions on both contracts and other agreements required to assist in mitigating risk and meeting overall financial goals
  • Builds customer intimacy and effectively cultivates those relationships
  • Makes decisions in a timely manner under tight deadlines and pressure
  • Maintains comprehensive and organized electronic and hard copy records of all contracts and related documentation for easy access and auditing
  • Other duties as assigned

Basic Qualifications for Principal Contract Administrator
  • Level 3: Bachelor's degree with 5 years of relevant professional contracts experience; or a master's degree with 3 years of relevant professional contracts experience.
  • Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to use them in informing, presenting, and negotiating to all levels of management
  • Experience evaluating/negotiating FAR clauses in different contract types
  • Experience using MS Office Suite, (specifically Excel, PowerPoint, and Word) and Adobe.
  • US citizenship is required.
  • Ability to obtain and maintain a US Government Secret Security Clearance.

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Team player, independent, proactive, and possess excellent problem solving, oral and written communication and organizational skills
  • Current/active US Government Secret Clearance
  • Experience negotiating and administering various contract types, knowledge of Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) / Defense Federal Acquisition Relation (DFAR) requirements
  • Ability to work independently and make independent decisions, ensuring high levels of collaboration with stakeholders and subject matter experts

Primary Level Salary Range: $85,600.00 - $128,400.00
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.

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About Northrop Grumman

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

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.

Industry

Space research administration

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Falls Church, VA, US

Year founded

1939

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