Missile Production Program Director I

Northrop Grumman•Los Angeles, CA

2d•$224,300 - $336,500•Onsite

About The Position

Northrop Grumman's Defense Systems Sector is seeking a Missile Production Program Director for its advanced missile programs within the Air Warfare Systems (AWS) Operating Unit, located in Northridge, CA. This role is crucial for leading the transition of advanced missile capabilities from development into scalable, rate production. The production systems, factories, and supplier partnerships developed will significantly impact the affordability, availability, and readiness of critical missile capabilities for the U.S. Department of Defense and allied partners. The position requires a full-time, on-site presence in Northridge, CA, with no remote or telework options. The company is actively looking for leaders with diverse backgrounds, including those from advanced manufacturing, automotive, space, industrial automation, and high-reliability technology sectors, who have experience transitioning complex products from prototype to scaled production. The Program Director will be responsible for production excellence, leveraging automation, digital transformation, advanced analytics, and machine learning to achieve speed, quality, and affordability at scale. This role is a key member of the senior leadership team, reporting to the AWS Operating Unit Director, and will execute a strategic plan supported by significant investments in technology, capital, and workforce.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree with 10 years of experience in production, operations, manufacturing, and program execution; or Master’s degree with 8 years of the same experience mentioned
5 years of experience leading high performing, production or operational, cross-functional teams within the aerospace/defense sector with accountability for cost, schedule, and quality
Experience in successfully transitioning advanced products from development or pilot phases into scaled production with ability to manage revenue, profit, and cash performance
Experience in managing and partnering with suppliers and industrial partners
Strong judgment and decision-making skills that balance execution urgency with long-term business outcomes
Active US Government DoD Secret security clearance with ability to get cleared for SAP

Nice To Haves

Active Top Secret clearance (or prior experience working in cleared or highly regulated environments)
Experience as a Prime Contractor or as a production leader in high-reliability, high-consequence industries (missiles, aerospace, automotive, space, industrial automation)
Demonstrated leadership in automation, digital manufacturing, advanced analytics, or AI/ML-enabled production systems
Experience leading production start-ups, factory launches, or major rate increases
Proven adaptability—successfully bringing modern production practices into complex, mission-driven environments while maintaining strong stakeholder relationships

Responsibilities

Own end-to-end production execution for advanced missile programs, from late-stage development and transition to production through start-up, ramp, and sustained-rate delivery
Provide full P&L leadership across multiple production programs, ensuring cost, schedule, quality, and performance commitments are met or exceeded
Lead industrialization and scale-up efforts for cornerstone advanced weapons product lines, including factory readiness, capacity planning, workforce growth, and capital deployment
Drive automation and digital manufacturing transformation, applying digital thread concepts, advanced analytics, and machine learning to improve throughput, predictability, and quality
Build resilient supplier and industrial base partnerships, collaborating across the value chain to ensure capacity, affordability, and long-term sustainability for missile production
Lead and develop high-performing, multidisciplinary teams, fostering a culture of ownership, accountability, and continuous improvement
Navigate and resolve complex technical, manufacturing, and supply chain challenges inherent to advanced missile production with speed, clarity, and disciplined execution
Partner seamlessly across engineering, quality, supply chain, finance, contracts, and program management to deliver integrated, executable production strategies
Execute disciplined risk and opportunity management, proactively mitigating production risk while capturing productivity and cost-reduction opportunities
Support capture and proposal activities, shaping production strategies, schedules, and cost positions that strengthen competitive posture
Communicate with confidence and transparency to customers, senior leadership, and enterprise stakeholders
Ensure compliance with contract requirements, internal processes, and applicable regulatory and industry standards