Northrop Grumman (SkillBridge) – Manager Programs 2
About The Position
Northrop Grumman Mission Systems is seeking a Manager Programs 2 for the Multidomain Sensing, Targeting, and Survivability Division’s Amherst Systems Operating Unit in Buffalo, New York. Amherst Systems develops and delivers realistic threat simulation systems used to test and train electronic warfare systems worldwide. The Program Manager reports to an Amherst Systems customer portfolio lead and is responsible for cost, schedule, technical, and contractual performance across one or more complex engineering development, production, lab infrastructure, logistics, and sustainment activities. The role integrates evolving hardware and software baselines, multiple contract vehicles, and interdependent development and production programs. The manager establishes executable plans, manages cross-program dependencies and risks, and ensures engineering change, lab readiness, and logistics services support customer and business commitments. This position is also offered through Northrop Grumman’s SkillBridge program. Eligible active-duty service members may gain hands-on civilian work experience during the final phase of military service, with training scheduled for the equivalent of 40 hours per week. SkillBridge participants are not compensated by Northrop Grumman and continue to receive military compensation and benefits. The program is intended to provide training and may offer the potential to convert to a full-time opportunity at its conclusion. SkillBridge eligibility requires at least 180 days of active-duty service; being within 12 months of separation or retirement; an expected honorable discharge; completion of service TAPS/TGPS; participation in an ethics brief within the past 12 months; and written authorization from the Unit Commander before the internship begins. The role requires an active Secret clearance. No relocation assistance is available, and travel is not required.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree and at least 6 years of program management leadership experience, or a master’s degree and at least 4 years of program management leadership experience, or at least 10 years of relevant experience in lieu of a degree.
- Experience leading complex development, engineering services, production, logistics, sustainment, or other technically complex programs with direct ownership of cost, schedule, and technical requirements.
- Experience working in a cross-functional execution environment.
- Experience managing programs using financial management and reporting tools, including Earned Value Management and Risk & Opportunity Management.
- Experience managing customer-facing execution.
- Active Secret-level government clearance.
- For SkillBridge participation: at least 180 days of active-duty service; within 12 months of separation or retirement; expected honorable discharge; completion of service TAPS/TGPS; participation in an ethics brief within the last 12 months; and written Unit Commander authorization before the program starts.
Nice To Haves
- Experience managing complex systems through development, production, fielding, and sustainment.
- Experience managing fixed-price and cost-type contracts and applying programmatic and contractual discipline where requirements evolve.
- Experience integrating hardware and software development across multiple contracts or organizational boundaries.
- Experience planning and executing lab, integration, test, or other technical infrastructure.
- Program leadership experience using an Integrated Product Team (IPT) execution framework.
- Experience with logistics, sustainment, and lifecycle support.
- Experience leading large-scale proposal development and contract change efforts.
- Experience leading complex programs with multifaceted scope, including production, fielding, and sustainment.
Responsibilities
- Own end-to-end execution of complex programs.
- Manage cross-program dependencies.
- Build customer relationships through transparency, disciplined execution, and clear communication of risks, dependencies, and tradeoffs.
- Serve as a senior leader in requirements definition, proposal development, contract negotiations, and change management.
- Establish disciplined programmatic control of engineering changes, assessing technical, cost, schedule, contractual, and downstream production impacts before making commitments.
- Maintain direct awareness of execution across programs; proactively remove barriers, resolve cross-program conflicts, and close critical issues.
- Forecast and achieve financial performance objectives across the portfolio while maintaining contractual scope discipline.
- Prepare and present briefings to senior internal and external stakeholders.
- Drive execution outcomes and maintain awareness of program health across functions, removing barriers before they affect customer or business commitments.
- Promote a program culture focused on outcomes, execution discipline, open communication, cross-functional alignment, accountability, and continuous improvement.
- Understand organizational and contractual boundaries and challenge requirements or commitments that create unacceptable program, technical, or business risk.
- Make timely, risk-informed decisions using facts and sound judgment when information is incomplete.
- Build customer confidence through transparency and consistent execution.
- Address difficult issues directly and professionally.
Benefits
- Health insurance coverage
- Life insurance
- Disability insurance
- Savings plan
- Company-paid holidays
- Paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business
- Potential overtime, shift differential, and discretionary bonus depending on the position
- Potential long-term incentives for employees in Vice President or Director positions
- SkillBridge participants continue to receive military compensation and benefits from their service
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
