Northrop Grumman Space Systems is seeking a Chief Engineer - Level 6 to join the Program Engineering Management team within the Launch Vehicles business unit in support of the Targets Operating Unit in Chandler, AZ.
The Targets Operating Unit, with annual revenue in excess of $275M, supports multiple missile defense systems for U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, and MDA customers. Missions are executed in a campaign style from numerous launch facilities around the world. The Chief Engineer will provide technical leadership for design, integration, system test, and flight test activities to ensure safe, reliable, and successful mission performance.
This position reports to the Targets Chief Engineer and has overall technical responsibility for assigned target programs and vehicles.
Role Description & Responsibilities
Lead the engineering team to achieve 100% mission success for assigned target systems.
Provide oversight, technical direction, and guidance across a multi-discipline team including engineering, manufacturing, integration, and test.
Own and manage the technical baseline; ensure design integrity across all life-cycle phases (design, build, integration, test, flight, and post-flight).
Manage, control, and administer the successful performance of technical tasks in alignment with cost, schedule, and performance objectives.
Identify, assess, and help resolve programmatic and technical issues that could impact cost, schedule, and system performance.
Chair the Configuration Control Board (CCB) and Risk Review Board (RRB); ensure robust configuration management and proactive risk/opportunity management.
Lead and manage the resolution of component and supplier issues affecting assigned target vehicles, coordinating with Supply Chain, Quality, and functional engineering.
Represent the program in technical forums, reviews, and management boards with internal and external stakeholders, including customers and suppliers.
Prepare and deliver briefings to senior management and customers on technical status, readiness, anomalies/failures, and investigation results.
Support flight test planning and execution, including readiness reviews, mission rehearsals, and post-flight data review as required.
Perform other duties, as necessary, commensurate with the role of a Chief Engineer.
Basic Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree with 14 years of professional experience – OR – Master’s degree with 12 years of professional experience – OR – PhD with 10 years of professional experience
Minimum 7 years of directly related engineering leadership experience.
Active Secret security clearance.
U.S. Citizen.
Ability to travel 10–20% (including to launch/test sites and customer locations).
Demonstrated experience interfacing directly with internal and external customers.
Proven verbal and written communication skills with customers and all levels of management.
Demonstrated ability to lead and motivate a multi-disciplined engineering team.
Thorough understanding of design standards, procurement processes, and configuration management practices.
Ability to work under limited supervision and successfully complete projects on time and within budget.
Multi-disciplinary engineering background and/or systems engineering experience.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience leading or participating in failure investigations, including root cause and corrective action (RCCA).
Missile system flight test experience (range operations, pre-flight readiness, telemetry/data review, or anomaly resolution).
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Primary Level Salary Range: $166,500.00 - $249,700.00The 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.Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree with 14 years of professional experience OR Master's degree with 12 years OR PhD with 10 years
- Minimum 7 years of directly related engineering leadership experience
- Active Secret security clearance
- U.S. Citizenship
- Ability to travel 10-20% including to launch/test sites and customer locations
- Demonstrated experience interfacing directly with internal and external customers
- Proven verbal and written communication skills with customers and all levels of management
- Demonstrated ability to lead and motivate a multi-disciplined engineering team
- Thorough understanding of design standards, procurement processes, and configuration management practices
- Ability to work under limited supervision and complete projects on time and within budget
- Multi-disciplinary engineering background and/or systems engineering experience
- Experience leading or participating in failure investigations, including root cause and corrective action (RCCA)
- Missile system flight test experience (range operations, pre-flight readiness, telemetry/data review, or anomaly resolution)
Northrop Grumman Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Northrop Grumman and has not been reviewed or approved by Northrop Grumman.
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Retirement Support — 401(k) matching is considered strong, with additional defined-benefit coverage for certain cohorts and options like catch-up contributions. Retirement programs are repeatedly highlighted as a core strength of the total rewards.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — PTO, company-paid holidays, and compressed work schedules (such as 9/80) provide meaningful time away and flexibility. These scheduling options are cited as a major quality-of-life benefit across many locations.
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Parental & Family Support — Paid parental leave alongside caregiver leave, adoption assistance, and back-up care supports a range of family needs. These programs have been expanded recently, signaling continued investment in family support.
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We are a close-knit community of big thinkers collaborating to keep the world safe. Our passion, creativity and expertise bring next-level technology solutions to life in autonomous systems, cyber, C4ISR, strike, space, and logistics and modernization for our customers around the globe. On the Northrop Grumman team, you’ll join our pursuit of excellence immersed in a dynamic culture of innovation and respect. Your unique perspective will help achieve our shared vision for the future of global security. Every step of the way, you'll be supported by world-class training, employee resource groups and a comprehensive benefits package that enables greater health and happiness for you and your family. Worldwide and across disciplines, we’re challenging what’s possible for technology to protect people and places from undersea to outer space and into cyberspace. And we see the impact of our performance every day. We are Northrop Grumman, and we work on what matters—now, you too can make a difference. Explore opportunities in engineering, IT, manufacturing, business management, cybersecurity and more with us. Northrop Grumman is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.
