Principal Project Manager - PASS

Northrop Grumman • San Diego, CA

2d • $114,000 - $171,000 • Onsite

About The Position

Northrop Grumman’s Propulsion, Aerospace Services and Structures (PASS) Operating Unit is seeking a Principal Project Manager to support the Program Management team at its San Diego, California facility. The operating unit supplies composite structures for optical benches and telescope structures, spacecraft structures, aircraft components, ceramic matrix composites, and other air- and space-related applications.

Reporting to the Space Director of Programs in San Diego, the Project Manager will support key programs in the Space business portfolio, particularly programs involving composite panels for solar arrays and spacecraft structures. The role calls for experience in a manufacturing environment, leadership potential, collaborative interpersonal skills, and experience in a dynamic, high-growth, fast-paced operating unit. Travel is 10% of the time. Relocation assistance is not available. A clearance is not required to start, but the employee must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret clearance.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or another technical discipline and 5 years of related experience; alternatively, 3 years of experience with a master’s degree. An additional four years of experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• At least 2 years of project management experience, or experience leading task execution on schedule as a project lead or integrated program team lead.
• Experience supporting customers in a project or technical lead role.
• Ability to communicate effectively across multiple organizational levels, including strong presentation skills.
• Strong interpersonal, written, verbal, and presentation skills.
• Proven analytical, technical, strategic, and problem-solving abilities.
• High proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and Microsoft Project.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret clearance.
• U.S. citizenship required.

Nice To Haves

• 2 or more years of Program or Project Management experience or similar experience, such as Lead IPT, Lead NPT, or Systems Engineering lead.
• Experience with earned value management.
• Aerospace or defense industry experience.
• Experience with composite manufacturing and testing.
• Program execution experience.
• Gated design development experience (PDR, CDR).
• Active U.S. Government security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a liaison between program management and cross-functional teams during proposal, design, procurement, manufacturing, test, and delivery phases.
• Work with the Program Management team to establish milestones and monitor adherence to master plans and schedules.
• Anticipate and identify potential issues, including understanding their effects on adjacent areas.
• Review and manage budgets, schedules, critical path activities, Estimates at Completion (EACs), and workload forecasts; support preparation of status reports for customers and management.
• Assess project issues and develop resolutions to meet productivity, quality, and customer satisfaction objectives.
• Participate in root cause analysis and corrective actions, failure review boards, and material review boards as needed.
• Support transition of designs into manufacturing by working with technical teams to identify opportunities to streamline manufacturing and assembly processes, achieve required delivery rates, and reduce costs.
• Support proposal development for change orders, new business opportunities, capture efforts, and strategic planning.
• Develop strong customer and supplier relationships to facilitate open communication regarding project requirements and supplier capabilities.

Benefits

• Health insurance coverage.
• Life insurance.
• Disability insurance.
• Savings plan.
• Company-paid holidays.
• Paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business.
• Employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus, depending on the position.
• Annual bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions and allow employees to share in company results.
• Employees in Vice President or Director positions may be eligible for Long Term Incentives.

What This Job Offers

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