Sentinel Specialty Systems Engineering SSE Supplier Validation Section Manager 2 - 13064-2

Northrop Grumman • Huntsville, AL

7d • $153,800 - $230,800 • Onsite

About The Position

Northrop Grumman Defense Systems is hiring a Specialty Systems Engineering Manager 2 for the Sentinel System Security Engineering (SSE) Specialty Engineering team in Huntsville, Alabama. The role oversees Supplier Validation (SupVal), with approximately 20% of effort devoted to Functional Homeroom responsibilities and 80% focused on a technical assignment on an SDS project or IPT. Relocation assistance may be available. The position requires an active Secret clearance at start, and travel is approximately 10%. The standard schedule is 9/80: nine-hour days Monday through Thursday, with every other Friday off.

The manager develops, executes, and continuously improves a comprehensive Supplier Validation Plan covering hardware, software, firmware, and services delivered by the prime and its suppliers, vendors, distributors, subcontractors, and integrators. The role ensures supplier risks are identified, assessed, mitigated, and monitored throughout the program lifecycle, and incorporated into broader system and program protection risk posture. The manager works with SSE, Program Management, Quality, Procurement, Configuration Management, and customer stakeholders to support compliant, resilient, and secure supply chains aligned with NIST SP 800-161 and program requirements.

The position also leads, mentors, and develops System Security Engineers; manages task allocation, technical direction, resources, staffing, budgets, and performance; supports program reviews and leadership reporting; and helps establish standardized SSE engineering practices and processes. The position includes earned value management for SSE cost accounts in conjunction with Cost Account Management (CAM).

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a STEM field with 8 years of related experience, or a master’s degree with 6 years of related experience.
• U.S. citizenship and an active U.S. Government Secret clearance with an investigation date within the last 6 years.
• Ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program (SAP) approval within a reasonable period, as determined by the company.
• Experience managing cost and schedule as a Control Account Manager (CAM), Work Package Lead (WPL), or equivalent.
• Experience in program and/or project management, including managing multidisciplinary teams through complex engineering problems.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Top Secret clearance with SCI within a reasonable period, as determined by the company.
• Experience developing or executing structured risk-management processes covering identification, analysis, mitigation, monitoring, and reporting.
• Experience with supply-chain security frameworks such as NIST SP 800-161 and with defense or critical-infrastructure environments.
• Experience working with suppliers, subcontractors, and cross-functional teams, including Engineering, Procurement, Quality, Configuration Management, and Program Management.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree in a STEM field and at least 10 years of related systems engineering experience, or a master’s degree and 8 years of related systems engineering experience.
• Experience supporting DoD programs, system security engineering, or program protection implementation activities.
• Hands-on experience with counterfeit detection or prevention, secure logistics, or component-integrity validation processes.
• Experience with DMSMS management and lifecycle planning for hardware and software components.
• Knowledge of additional standards and guidance such as NIST SP 800-53, DoD program protection guidance, and ISO/AS9100 quality standards.
• Experience with risk-management tools, configuration or change-control systems, and supplier-performance management systems.
• Experience with microelectronics, hardware assurance, Trusted Secure Networks, and criticality analysis.
• At least 3 years of team-leadership experience.
• Experience conducting threat analysis and protection initiatives.
• Current DoD 8140 IAT Level III certification, such as CASP+CE, CCNP, CISSP, or equivalent.
• OpSec and intelligence-community background.
• Experience engaging with the intelligence community, using databases, and conducting research and analysis.
• Active Top Secret clearance adjudicated within the last 6 years and ability to obtain SAP access.
• NG CAM/EV Certification.
• Experience with Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE).
• Prior experience leading teams of 10 or more and managing employee performance and professional development.
• Experience working on MMIII or Sentinel ICBM systems.
• Strong analytical, communication, and documentation skills, including the ability to present risk posture and mitigation status to diverse stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Develop, maintain, and execute a holistic Supplier Validation Plan across the program lifecycle.
• Identify, assess, track, and report supplier risks, and integrate them into the System Risk Management Plan.
• Flow down supply chain risk management and NIST SP 800-161 requirements to suppliers, vendors, distributors, subcontractors, and integrators.
• Establish processes to validate suppliers and authenticate components as genuine and unaltered in coordination with SSE SCRM.
• Define and oversee controls for secure shipping, storage, and handling to prevent counterfeit items, tampering, and malware insertion.
• Coordinate with SSE Threat Analysis and Mitigation to incorporate emerging supply-chain threats and countermeasures.
• Integrate DMSMS and obsolescence considerations into supply-chain risk mitigation strategies.
• Present supplier risk posture and status in technical reviews, change-control forums, and program protection activities.
• Communicate complex technical issues and solutions to SSE team members and management.
• Manage SSE team-member task allocation and provide technical oversight and direction.
• Allocate resources to meet time, cost, and schedule objectives, and rapidly reprioritize tasks in response to leadership demand signals.
• Provide inputs to Functional Homeroom and Sentinel Program leadership on task execution and milestone completion.
• Work with the Functional Homeroom to establish and optimize standardized SSE processes.
• Conduct Earned Value Management for SSE cost accounts in conjunction with Cost Account Management.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of System Security Engineers.
• Plan and prioritize SSE and Supplier Validation scope, staffing, and budgets in coordination with program management and systems engineering.
• Establish and maintain SSE engineering practices, standards, and review processes across the program.
• Support customer, user, and internal reviews, including SRR, PDR, and CDR, with SSE Supplier Validation content and rationale.
• Coach, support, train, and motivate team members to promote high performance.
• Support staffing by creating requisitions, conducting interviews, and approving offers.
• Provide career-development recommendations, mentoring, and performance counseling to subordinates.
• Foster accountability to Northrop Grumman values focused on integrity, quality, shared success, and innovation.
• Establish personal, program, and functional goals; conduct subordinate performance evaluations and merit adjustments.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• 401k
• Educational assistance
• Life insurance
• Employee Assistance Programs & Work/Life Solutions
• Paid Time Off
• Health & Wellness Resources
• Employee discounts
• Relocation assistance may be available
• Potential eligibility for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus

What This Job Offers

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