Program Manager 2 - Deputy Program Manager

Northrop Grumman • Aurora, CO

6d • $161,100 - $241,700

About The Position

Northrop Grumman is seeking a Deputy Program Manager to drive execution across the Swordfish Portfolio, a complex, multi-program portfolio supporting Space Force Space Systems Command (SSC) and the Department of the Air Force. The role leads and resolves complex programmatic and technical issues and helps ensure cost, schedule, and technical performance commitments are met or exceeded. The Deputy Program Manager partners with the Portfolio Manager and program leadership on budgets, staffing, proposals, and customer engagements, and serves as Program Manager for smaller portfolio efforts. The position also supports business development and provides operational-user perspective to development teams to proactively remove obstacles and achieve results.

The role supports SSC by guiding Space Command and Control development teams toward effective user experiences using modern software and systems engineering practices. It brings mission-thread details and operational context to Operational Command and Control and Space Battle Management processes, and leads support for Joint-Operator-in-the-Loop and other enterprise operator-in-the-loop events. Responsibilities also include portfolio financial management, resource planning, proposal support, customer engagement, and management of risks, opportunities, issues, and cross-program dependencies. The position requires an active Top Secret/SCI clearance and the ability to obtain and maintain SAP access, as well as travel to engage with customers, partners, and team members.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Business, or a related discipline with typically 8 or more years of relevant experience in program/project management, systems engineering, or a related field; alternatively, a master’s degree with 6 or more years of experience.
• Demonstrated experience with program execution, including cost, schedule, and technical performance, and cross-functional coordination.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including experience preparing and presenting status to leadership and/or customers.
• Active Top Secret/SCI clearance at the time of application and ability to obtain and maintain SAP access.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues, customers, and stakeholders.
• Ability to travel to engage with customers, partners, and team members; anticipated travel is 20% of the time.

Nice To Haves

• Prior experience as a Program Manager, Deputy Program Manager, IPT Lead, CAM, Product Owner, or Scrum Master on software-intensive or space C2 development programs.
• Experience supporting Special Access Programs or SAP access.
• Experience in proposal development, including BOEs, schedules, risk assessments, and/or volume contributions.
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships and influence across an Operating Unit and enabling functions.
• Familiarity with agile development practices and tools such as Atlassian Jira/Confluence.
• Experience supporting complex defense or space programs, preferably involving Command and Control or Space Battle Management.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support day-to-day execution across a multi-program portfolio, aligned with technical, cost, and schedule baselines.
• Resolve complex, cross-cutting issues through coordinated action plans and timely follow-through.
• Track and report portfolio performance using established metrics, and recommend and implement corrective actions.
• Provide backup for the Program Manager, including attending meetings with Government stakeholders and industry partners.
• Guide and influence Space Command and Control development teams to support user experience and modern software and systems engineering practices.
• Represent the user perspective, mission-thread details, and operational context for Operational Command and Control and Space Battle Management processes.
• Lead support for Joint-Operator-in-the-Loop and other enterprise operator-in-the-loop events that inform capability development.
• Support development, management, and analysis of program budgets, forecasts, and EACs across multiple contracts and task order types.
• Partner with Business Management on financial performance, risk and opportunity tracking, and compliance with contractual and internal requirements.
• Identify and drive cost efficiencies, margin improvement, and process optimization.
• Support staffing and resource planning across projects; coordinate with functional managers to secure talent and resolve staffing gaps.
• Support workforce planning, including onboarding, rotations, and succession considerations for key portfolio roles.
• Support proposal planning and execution for captures, recompetes, and contract modifications; coordinate technical, cost, schedule, staffing, and risk inputs.
• Assist in developing BOEs, schedules, and risk mitigation strategies.
• Support customer meetings, program reviews, technical interchange meetings, and working groups with SSC and other stakeholders.
• Prepare and deliver clear, data-driven status and issue briefings to internal and external stakeholders.
• Maintain customer relationships through timely issue resolution, responsiveness, and credible execution.
• Interface with Operating Unit and enabling functions, including Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, Business Management, Contracts, Security, HR, and Quality.
• Identify, track, and manage program risks, opportunities, and issues, including cross-program dependencies.
• Drive action-item closure and follow-through on commitments to customers and leadership.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives and integration of lessons learned across the portfolio.
• Support business development efforts and strategies.

Benefits

• Health insurance coverage
• Life insurance
• Disability insurance
• Savings plan
• Company-paid holidays
• Paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business
• Potential eligibility for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus, depending on the position

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior