Job Description
This role partners with the Air Dominance Division and Aeronautics System Sector quality, manufacturing and engineering leadership teams, manages a workforce deployed at multiple sites across the United States and will be located onsite in Palmdale, California.
The program leader is responsible for leading all phases of the program life cycle from inception (proposal development) to execution, and through to completion (contract closeout). Primary responsibilities are the management of quality, cost, schedule, and technical performance of B-2 PDM contracts, including but not limited to:
• Cultivating United States Air Force customer relationships and intimacy to develop executable induction and depot maintenance plans within the customer community with a commitment to on time execution and delivery
• Developing strategies to define and expand multi-year contracts (inductions and performance of depot maintenance and modifications) and obtaining customer funding in support of long lead requirements (including material and government furnished parts)
• Optimizing a program organization that effectively addresses customer requirements and incorporates the necessary internal and external sub-organizations
• Leading and directing cross-functional Integrated Program Teams (IPT) to meet all program cost, schedule and technical performance objectives
• Driving predictable program performance, including regular measurement and management of key performance metrics
• Delivering presentations to customers, executive management, and other program stakeholders
• Identifying, allocating and managing program resources, including workforce planning, financial resources/investments and overhead allocations to optimize the financial position of the enterprise
• Participating in the negotiation of contracts, contract changes, specifications, operating budgets, schedule milestones, and key terms and conditions
• Development and adherence to program, business, and technical baselines, including use of tools such as Earned Value Management (EVM),
• Ensuring program team understands and adheres to contract scope, and manages change through control board activities
• Development and adherence to master plans and schedules (this includes leading and defining the content of the integrated master schedule (IMS) and shop operating plan (SOP) across all individual jets and facilities to determine WIP constraints using this individual's expertise to optimize throughput)
• Conducting thorough risk & opportunity management practices including identification, mitigation and realization, including infusion into financial booking rates and artifacts
• Managing Government/customer supplied property or information (GFE, CFE, etc.)
• Managing suppliers to meet program objectives in partnership with division and sector supply chain leadership
• Adherence to all internal processes, policies, and applicable industry standards
Our Leaders at Northrop Grumman live our values daily and encourage our teams to do the same. We do the right thing: upholding the highest ethical standards and facilitating a safe and respectful environment that attracts, retains, and inspires a diverse and engaged team. We do what we promise: holding yourself and others accountable to meet predictable and balanced results. We commit to shared success: operating as OneNG and removing barriers for our teams. Finally, We pioneer: setting a vision that shapes the future and inspires others.
Basic Qualifications:
• Bachelor's degree with 10 years (or Bachelor of Science in a STEM discipline and 9 years) of related experience; or Master's degree with 8 years (or Master of Science in a STEM discipline and 7 years) of related experience
• Related experience includes engineering, operations, aircraft production program management or business leadership experience inclusive of pursuit, capture, design, development, and full rate production
• Must have significant P&L with integrated program team and CAM experience
• Minimum of 5 years of experience supporting U.S. Government contracts and customers and/or project management in other industries
• Must have at minimum, an active DoD Secret level clearance to apply/start
• Must have the ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Top Secret clearance and program special access within a reasonable amount of time, as determined by the Company to meet its business needs
Preferred Qualifications:
• Active Top Secret clearance
• Master's degree and advanced training in program management
• Experience in large, complex shop operating plans and manufacturing/production enterprises with an understanding of Little's Law constraints and implementation
• The ability to address uncertainty through an organized and analytical forward-looking approach
• Experience in supply chain management to support the production of complex systems
• Experience in financial program execution and risk/opportunity management within aerospace and defense products
Primary Level Salary Range: $266,300.00 - $399,500.00The above salary range represents a general guideline; however, Northrop Grumman considers a number of factors when determining base salary offers such as the scope and responsibilities of the position and the candidate's experience, education, skills and current market conditions.Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. Annual bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results. Employees in Vice President or Director positions may be eligible for Long Term Incentives. In addition, Northrop Grumman provides a variety of benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, Company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business.The application period for the job is estimated to be 20 days from the job posting date. However, this timeline may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates.Northrop Grumman is an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. For our complete EEO and pay transparency statement, please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.
This role partners with the Air Dominance Division and Aeronautics System Sector quality, manufacturing and engineering leadership teams, manages a workforce deployed at multiple sites across the United States and will be located onsite in Palmdale, California.
The program leader is responsible for leading all phases of the program life cycle from inception (proposal development) to execution, and through to completion (contract closeout). Primary responsibilities are the management of quality, cost, schedule, and technical performance of B-2 PDM contracts, including but not limited to:
• Cultivating United States Air Force customer relationships and intimacy to develop executable induction and depot maintenance plans within the customer community with a commitment to on time execution and delivery
• Developing strategies to define and expand multi-year contracts (inductions and performance of depot maintenance and modifications) and obtaining customer funding in support of long lead requirements (including material and government furnished parts)
• Optimizing a program organization that effectively addresses customer requirements and incorporates the necessary internal and external sub-organizations
• Leading and directing cross-functional Integrated Program Teams (IPT) to meet all program cost, schedule and technical performance objectives
• Driving predictable program performance, including regular measurement and management of key performance metrics
• Delivering presentations to customers, executive management, and other program stakeholders
• Identifying, allocating and managing program resources, including workforce planning, financial resources/investments and overhead allocations to optimize the financial position of the enterprise
• Participating in the negotiation of contracts, contract changes, specifications, operating budgets, schedule milestones, and key terms and conditions
• Development and adherence to program, business, and technical baselines, including use of tools such as Earned Value Management (EVM),
• Ensuring program team understands and adheres to contract scope, and manages change through control board activities
• Development and adherence to master plans and schedules (this includes leading and defining the content of the integrated master schedule (IMS) and shop operating plan (SOP) across all individual jets and facilities to determine WIP constraints using this individual's expertise to optimize throughput)
• Conducting thorough risk & opportunity management practices including identification, mitigation and realization, including infusion into financial booking rates and artifacts
• Managing Government/customer supplied property or information (GFE, CFE, etc.)
• Managing suppliers to meet program objectives in partnership with division and sector supply chain leadership
• Adherence to all internal processes, policies, and applicable industry standards
Our Leaders at Northrop Grumman live our values daily and encourage our teams to do the same. We do the right thing: upholding the highest ethical standards and facilitating a safe and respectful environment that attracts, retains, and inspires a diverse and engaged team. We do what we promise: holding yourself and others accountable to meet predictable and balanced results. We commit to shared success: operating as OneNG and removing barriers for our teams. Finally, We pioneer: setting a vision that shapes the future and inspires others.
Basic Qualifications:
• Bachelor's degree with 10 years (or Bachelor of Science in a STEM discipline and 9 years) of related experience; or Master's degree with 8 years (or Master of Science in a STEM discipline and 7 years) of related experience
• Related experience includes engineering, operations, aircraft production program management or business leadership experience inclusive of pursuit, capture, design, development, and full rate production
• Must have significant P&L with integrated program team and CAM experience
• Minimum of 5 years of experience supporting U.S. Government contracts and customers and/or project management in other industries
• Must have at minimum, an active DoD Secret level clearance to apply/start
• Must have the ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Top Secret clearance and program special access within a reasonable amount of time, as determined by the Company to meet its business needs
Preferred Qualifications:
• Active Top Secret clearance
• Master's degree and advanced training in program management
• Experience in large, complex shop operating plans and manufacturing/production enterprises with an understanding of Little's Law constraints and implementation
• The ability to address uncertainty through an organized and analytical forward-looking approach
• Experience in supply chain management to support the production of complex systems
• Experience in financial program execution and risk/opportunity management within aerospace and defense products
Primary Level Salary Range: $266,300.00 - $399,500.00The above salary range represents a general guideline; however, Northrop Grumman considers a number of factors when determining base salary offers such as the scope and responsibilities of the position and the candidate's experience, education, skills and current market conditions.Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. Annual bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results. Employees in Vice President or Director positions may be eligible for Long Term Incentives. In addition, Northrop Grumman provides a variety of benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, Company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business.The application period for the job is estimated to be 20 days from the job posting date. However, this timeline may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates.Northrop Grumman is an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. For our complete EEO and pay transparency statement, please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.
About Northrop Grumman
Northrop Grumman is a leading global aerospace and defense technology company. Our pioneering solutions equip out customers with the capabilities they need to connect and protect the world and push the boundaries of human exploration across the universe. Driven by a shared purpose to solve our customers’ toughest problems, our nearly 100,000 employees contribute to launching the technology of tomorrow, today.
© 2025 Northrop Grumman is an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. For our complete EEO and pay transparency statement, please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.
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