Principal or Sr. Principal Price/Cost Proposal Analyst - Level 3 or 4 (Clearance Required)

Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems

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 (NGAS) is currently seeking either a Principal Price/Cost Proposal Analyst Level 3 or a Senior Principal Price/Cost Proposal Analyst Level 4 to join our team! This position will be located on site in Palmdale, CA or Rancho Bernardo, CA.

This position will be responsible for producing high quality analysis of supplier proposals in support of Global Supply Chain (GSC) cost estimates. The Principal Price/Cost Proposal Analyst Level 3 will perform fairly complex tasks and participate in determining objectives of assignment. Plan schedules and arrange activities in accomplishing objectives. Work is reviewed upon completion for adequacy in meeting objectives. The Senior Principal Price/Cost Proposal Analyst Level 4 will perform assignments that are complex and performed independently without appreciable direction. Exercises considerable latitude in determining objective and approaches to assignment.

The selected candidate will evaluate supplier proposals through various analysis techniques (such as similar product comparisons, analogous products, parametric estimating, cost estimating relationships, and bottom-up estimating) to assess a fair and reasonable position, which is documented in a price/cost analysis report (PCAR). The Proposal Analyst will encounter various contract types, such as fixed price, cost type, and indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contracts. Other items that fall under this statement of work are Option Price Verifications and evaluating Requests for Equitable Adjustment (REAs). The Proposal Analyst will provide valuable insight into supplier risk, negotiation positions, and contribute to an executable baseline for our subcontract management teams. This role will collaborate across multiple functions such as Contracts, Pricing & Estimating, Engineering, Global Supply Chain, and Program Management to prepare and submit high quality, compliant and on-time PCARs to support customer commitments and company financial goals.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:

• Perform a price and cost analysis to evaluate the direct and indirect labor rates, overheads, general and administrative expenses, cost of money and any other factors used in supplier's proposal, including any economic factors applied to period of performance or effort, and incorporate the findings into the PCAR
• Performing cost estimating/pricing reviews and analysis in accordance with industry best practices, solicitation instructions, customer requirements and USG regulatory requirements
• Conducting research into market and historical data and developing cost estimating models to evaluate price reasonableness and develop negotiation positions with subcontractors
• Compiling information from periodicals, catalogs, and other sources to stay informed on regulations (e.g., FAR, DFARS, etc.), price trends and manufacturing processes
• Conferring with suppliers and analyzing suppliers' operations to determine factors that affect prices
• Issuing requests for information (RFI) and fact-finding questions to suppliers and participating in fact-finding meetings to review bases of estimates (BOEs) and source documentation
• Requesting DCMA/DCAA assist audits where applicable
• Interfacing with responsible engineers regarding the integration of technical evaluations into the cost analysis when appropriate
• Preparing and presenting data for Supply Chain Management review to establish negotiation objective positions; Providing negotiation support through subcontract award
• Maintaining records and supporting data used and provided in support of proposals

This position may be filled as either a Principal Price/Cost Proposal Analyst Level 3 or Senior Principal Price/Cost Proposal Analyst Level 4 depending on qualification below

Basic Qualifications for Level 3 :

• Bachelor's degree in business, finance, economics, engineering, or related discipline with 5 years of related experience; or master's degree in stated fields and 3 years related experience.
• Must have knowledge of statistical and forecasting concepts and techniques
• Must have proficiency with MS Office Suite, specifically Excel and Word
• Must have Active U.S. Government Secret or higher clearance (with background investigation completed within the last 5 years or currently enrolled into Continuous Evaluation).
• Must have the ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program (SAP) clearance.

Basic Qualifications for Level 4:

• Bachelor's degree in business, finance, economics, engineering, or related discipline with 8 years of related experience; or master's degree in stated fields and 6 years related experience.
• Must have knowledge of statistical and forecasting concepts and techniques
• Must have proficiency with MS Office Suite, specifically Excel and Word
• Must have Active U.S. Government Secret or higher clearance (with background investigation completed within the last 5 years or currently enrolled into Continuous Evaluation).
• Must have the ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program (SAP) clearance.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ability to apply analytical skills and accounting, finance, economic and/or forecasting concepts and principles to data
• Meet deadlines in a challenging environment and manage multiple simultaneous projects with attention to detail
• Technical and creative writing skills; able to tell the story of the analysis performed and the results such that the reader understands and can follow our position
• Self-starter who likes to "self-teach" topics and new skills (such as calculations/formulas to enable a more efficient analysis)
• Active Top Secret clearance or ability to obtain a Top Secret clearance
• Experience working on or contributing to Government proposals
• Familiarity and/or practical experience with regression analysis
• Conceptual or practical knowledge of cost improvement curves
• Working knowledge of the Government contracting environment (FAR and DFARS) such as FAR Part 15, FAR Part 12, and FAR Part 16
• Knowledge of direct and indirect rate proposals, activity-based costing, audits and audit processes and the Defense Contract Audit Agency and Defense Contract Management Agency (DCAA/DCMA)
• Understanding of earned value management and business systems
• Hands-on experience with SAP
• Familiarity with aerospace production operation functions, tasks, and processes
• Background in Global Supply Chain Subcontract/Procurement requirements

We offer flexible work arrangements, phenomenal learning opportunities, exposure to a wide variety of projects and customers, and a very friendly team environment. We are looking for self-motivated, proactive, and goal-oriented people to help us grow our services and become even better at what we do.

At Northrop Grumman, we are on the cutting edge of innovation-- building the next generation of sophisticated aircraft to protect our country. Our diverse portfolio of programs means there are endless paths to cultivate your career. We are well-known for our inclusive, family environment, as well as our excellent work/life balance. We also offer exceptional benefits/healthcare, and a great 401K matching program.

Primary Level Salary Range: $94,200.00 - $141,200.00 Secondary Level Salary Range: $117,500.00 - $176,300.00 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