Sentinel PLM Systems Engineering Manager 3- 20054

Northrop Grumman•Manhattan Beach, CA

4d•$166,700 - $289,600•Onsite

About The Position

Northrop Grumman Defense Systems is seeking a Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) Systems Engineering Manager 3 for its Engineering team in the Strategic Deterrent Systems Division. The role is based in Manhattan Beach, California, or Roy, Utah, and owns the vision, strategy, and execution of digital thread capabilities connecting engineering, manufacturing, test, and sustainment data across the Sentinel Portfolio. Relocation assistance may be available. The position provides technical leadership and decision-making across engineering disciplines and owns the end-to-end technical baseline, multi-year roadmap, and project portfolio for the PLM Design and Production Integration team. It is the primary technical authority for integration across CPLM, SAP, and SmartMES, supporting more than 2,000 engineering and production users. The role manages PLM integration baselines and governance; develops the digital thread roadmap and initiative portfolio; evaluates emerging technologies and leads future capability architecture; represents SDS and program technical needs to DD&I and 1ERP; and promotes operational excellence through reliable systems, audit compliance, disciplined delivery, and team mentorship. The standard schedule is 9/80, with nine-hour days Monday through Thursday and every other Friday off. Travel is 10% of the time. An active Secret clearance is required at the start, and the employee must be able to obtain and maintain a DoD Top Secret clearance and Special Program Access.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a STEM discipline and 8 years of relevant experience, or a master’s degree and 6 years of relevant experience.
U.S. citizenship.
Active U.S. Government Secret clearance with an investigation date within the last six years.
Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Top Secret clearance and Special Program Access within a period meeting current business needs.
Experience leading or implementing PLM or integrated toolchain solutions on complex systems or programs.
Experience working across multiple engineering disciplines and program phases, integrating tools and processes to support design, integration, test, and sustainment.

Nice To Haves

Eight or more years of experience in PLM, ERP, or MES integration environments; CPLM, SAP, and/or SmartMES experience is strongly preferred.
Proven success leading technical roadmaps and portfolios in complex engineering or manufacturing organizations.
At least three years in a formal management or technical leadership position, such as functional manager, IPT lead, product owner, or program manager.
Deep expertise in digital thread architecture, data integration, configuration management, and system-to-system interfaces.
Track record of delivering measurable business outcomes such as cycle-time reduction, defect reduction, or improved user productivity.
Experience working with program stakeholders, funding processes, and cross-functional engineering, manufacturing, and IT teams.
Background in aerospace, defense, or highly regulated product development programs.
Familiarity with DD&I/1ERP environments or similar enterprise transformation initiatives.
Demonstrated ability to translate strategy into executable technical plans.

Responsibilities

Own and maintain the authoritative technical baseline for PLM integrations across CPLM, SAP, and SmartMES.
Ensure configuration control, data integrity, and traceability across design, production, and enterprise systems.
Identify and mitigate technical debt, integration defects, and system performance issues.
Establish and enforce governance standards for system architecture, interfaces, and data models.
Develop and maintain a three-year PLM digital thread roadmap aligned with SDS priorities, DD&I funding cycles, and 1ERP strategy.
Build and prioritize the annual portfolio of initiatives, including integrations, automation opportunities, and capability pilots.
Translate strategic business outcomes into executable technical requirements and deliverables.
Track portfolio health, including delivery, business value realization, and risk management.
Evaluate emerging PLM technologies, automation tools, and integration patterns.
Lead architecture decisions for next-generation digital thread capabilities, such as real-time data flow, predictive analytics, and reduced manual steps.
Represent SDS and program technical needs to DD&I and 1ERP.
Collaborate with engineering, manufacturing, and program teams to develop user-centric solutions that reduce friction and accelerate release-to-production.
Provide technical leadership in funding reviews, requirements definition, testing, and post-deployment value tracking.
Ensure system uptime, audit compliance, and controlled deployment success.
Promote disciplined delivery practices, including clear requirements, measurable business cases, and reduced rework.
Mentor technical team members and foster a high-performing digital ecosystem culture.

Benefits

Medical, dental, and vision coverage
401(k)
Educational assistance
Life insurance
Employee assistance programs and work/life solutions
Paid time off
Health and wellness resources
Employee discounts
Relocation assistance may be available
Potential eligibility for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus
Company-paid holidays and paid time off