Manager Programs 3

Northrop Grumman • San Diego, CA

1d • $193,000 - $289,600 • Onsite

About The Position

Northrop Grumman’s Aeronautics Systems sector is hiring a Program Manager 3 to lead the Mission Systems Integrated Product Team (IPT) for the RQ-4 Enterprise in San Diego, California. The IPT supports multiple efforts across the enterprise and is responsible for Mission Systems products and services, including ground segments, payloads, communications subsystems, and networks.

The role provides day-to-day leadership and technical and programmatic oversight for the IPT. The lead works with customer program offices, program leadership, business operations, program integration, and Avionics Engineering Integration & Execution and Center of Technical Excellence organizations to shape future requirements and deliver contracted scope within budget, schedule, technical, and closure criteria. The position leads a large team of internal and external teammates and suppliers.

The role owns cost, schedule, and technical execution across multiple contracts and internal projects; coordinates integrated solutions with engineering and product support; manages risks, issues, proposals, performance metrics, and change control; and supports staffing, skill development, customer engagement, and timely decision-making. Travel is required up to 25% of the time. Relocation assistance may be available. An active Secret clearance is required at start, with the ability to obtain and maintain Top Secret clearance and special program access as required.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree and 9 years of related professional and/or military experience, or a Master’s degree and 7 years of related professional and/or military experience.
• Related experience in program management and/or mission systems, avionics, C4ISR, or software-enabled systems development, integration, test, or sustainment.
• Proven leadership of cross-functional engineering teams in an IPT environment.
• Experience with program execution and cost, schedule, risk, and performance accountability for technical scope.
• Strong background in customer engagement, proposal development, and contract execution.
• Experience managing complex responsibilities involving multiple internal and external stakeholders.
• Familiarity with government or military contracts, acquisition processes, and sustainment requirements.
• Active U.S. Government Secret clearance or higher.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Top Secret clearance within a reasonable timeframe and special program access as required.
• Ability and willingness to travel up to 25% of the time.
• Ability to obtain a valid U.S. Passport.
• U.S. citizenship is required for positions requiring government clearance and certain other restricted positions.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor of Science or Master of Science in a STEM discipline, or a Master’s degree in Business Administration.
• Active TS/SCI/SAP clearance.
• Experience with UAV Mission Systems subsystems, including ground segments, payloads, communications, and networks, and related integration, test, and sustainment.
• Experience leading Mission Systems efforts across multiple lifecycle phases in a complex aerospace or defense environment.
• Experience working with U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, and international customers.
• Experience with Earned Value Management, including assessing EV progress and forecasting Estimates at Completion.
• Experience with SOW development, BOE creation, and negotiations.
• Five or more years of experience managing complex cost accounts.
• Deep understanding of Mission Systems elements such as payload architecture, communications and networking, mission-system software, integration laboratories, Modeling & Simulation, and Mission Systems support to fleet operations.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build relationships across engineering, supply chain, business management, product support, program management, executive leadership, and customer stakeholders.
• Exceptional communication skills, including briefing program leadership, engaging customers, and translating technical content for stakeholders at all levels.
• Ability to delegate effectively while remaining accountable for overall IPT success.
• Strategic thinking, ability to align IPT objectives with program and functional goals, and a record of developing and implementing improvement and growth plans using continuous improvement techniques.

Responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership for the RQ-4 Mission Systems IPT, including defining and communicating technical vision, strategy, and performance objectives.
• Lead engineers, planners, and program staff responsible for ground segments, payloads, communications subsystems, and networks across the RQ-4 Enterprise.
• Own cost, schedule, and technical execution for assigned Mission Systems scope across multiple contracts and internal projects, including maintaining IPT master schedules, budgets, and resource plans.
• Partner with Systems Engineering and Product Support teams to deliver integrated Mission Systems solutions that meet performance, safety, security, and sustainment requirements.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate risks; develop and track closure plans; maintain risk and issue registers; and report status to program management and leadership.
• Support proposal development, including Mission Systems Statements of Work, Basis of Estimate creation, and negotiations for new and follow-on work.
• Maintain Mission Systems performance metrics and report technical and programmatic status to program management and customers.
• Oversee Mission Systems change management, including preparing materials and providing input to Technical Review Boards, Configuration Control Boards, and Joint CCBs, and reviewing Mission Systems content in change packages.
• Coordinate with Avionics EI&E on staffing plans, assignments, and employee skill development to meet Mission Systems needs.
• Coordinate with customers, suppliers, senior leadership, and cross-functional partners; promote clear communication and timely decisions.

Benefits

• Health insurance coverage
• Life insurance
• Disability insurance
• Savings plan
• Company-paid holidays
• Paid time off 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