Northrop Grumman’s Aeronautics Systems – Research & Advanced Design (R&AD) transforms breakthrough ideas into mission-ready capabilities through intelligent anticipation. We’re the front-end design engine, defining what comes next. From developing cutting-edge next-generation future aircraft to trailblazing collaborative autonomous platforms, we push the boundaries of technology and forge industry-leading partnerships that set new standards for what’s possible.
Our team owns the full lifecycle of advanced concept creation, from visionary early-stage designs and rapid prototyping to high-impact demonstrations and solving the toughest technical challenges in survivability, autonomy, and battle management. We seek curious, adaptable people who thrive on turning intuition into breakthrough solutions. If you’re driven to invent the future, build what’s next, and shape the landscape of national security, this is where you belong.
R&AD has an opening for Consulting Chief Engineer to join our Expendables (Advanced Weapons) Operating Unit (OU) located in Redondo Beach or El Segundo, CA.
In this role, the successful candidate will lead a multi-disciplinary engineering team executing research & development projects within the Expendables OU. This team conceives, develops, demonstrates and transitions cutting-edge technologies and capabilities in the expendable air breathing weapons domain. Activities within the OU span the spectrum from applied research through flight demonstrations, program of record capture, and technical support to programs already in development or production at other NG sectors. The Expendables portfolio includes subsonic, supersonic, and hypersonic air-breathing platforms.
Primary responsibilities will include but are not limited to:
- Serve as the technical authority for the OU, providing technical direction and leadership to internally funded and contracted activities
- Serve as the focal point for definition and control of technical requirements, and ensure technical coordination and horizontal integration across projects
- Serve as the principal technical interface with the customer and company senior leadership
- Serve as the NGAS sector representative for cross-company weapon related technical activities.
- Collaborate with USG technology development stakeholders.
- Ensure that programs adhere to sound engineering principles and comply with relevant company policies, procedures, and quality standards
- Oversee and ensure technical performance measures are being met by the Engineering team within allocated cost and schedule resources
- Serve as the chairperson of the Technical Review Board (TRB)
- Support program managers in risk and opportunity management by identifying and owning risks associated with technical performance
- Support of weapon mission engineering, design, and cost trades.
- Provide technical leadership, direction and mentoring to technical contributors in the application of systems engineering principles, tools, and techniques to achieve practical end results
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 ourselves and others accountable to meet our commitments. 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 of Science degree in a relevant Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math (STEM) discipline and 16 years related professional/military experience; OR a Master of Science degree in a STEM discipline and 14 years of related professional/military experience; OR a Ph.D. in a related STEM discipline and 12 years of related professional/military experience Professional experience related to expendables, weapons, or high-speed air-breathing systems.
- Experience integrating multiple engineering specialties and experience working across multiple Business Units within a company, as well as with industry partners and customer community
- Active US Government Secret or higher clearance (with a background investigation completed within the last 6 years or currently enrolled into Continuous Evaluation)
- Ability to obtain SAP (Special Program Access) and TS / SCI Clearance within a reasonable amount of time as determined by business needs
- Up to 25% travel required
Preferred Qualifications:
- Active DoD Top Secret or TS/SCI clearance, one or more SAP clearances
- Familiarity with US Government science & technology and/or acquisition customer community for weapons and expendable systems technologies
- Experience across multiple phases of program lifecycle, including business development, business acquisition, research & development, production and sustainment.
- Experience as a Chief Engineer or technical lead with the planning and execution of technical design and integration tasks on schedule, at cost and achieving all technical requirements
- A strong understanding of weapons and related systems, including relevant mission systems, seekers, weapon data links, architectures (WOSA, GRA), warheads, platform integration, and mission engineering.
- Demonstrated experience in making sound decisions in uncertain, ambiguous or difficult situations
- Excellent organizational and written communication skills, as well as project management planning and presentation skills
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Primary Level Salary Range: $212,100.00 - $318,100.00The 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 of Science in a relevant STEM discipline and 16 years of related professional or military experience; or Master of Science in STEM and 14 years; or Ph.D. in a related STEM discipline and 12 years.
- Professional experience related to expendables, weapons, or high-speed air-breathing systems.
- Experience integrating multiple engineering specialties and working across multiple business units, industry partners, and customer communities.
- Active U.S. Government Secret or higher clearance, with a background investigation completed within the last six years or current enrollment in Continuous Evaluation.
- Ability to obtain SAP and TS/SCI clearance within a reasonable amount of time based on business needs.
- Up to 25% travel.
- Active DoD Top Secret or TS/SCI clearance and one or more SAP clearances.
- Familiarity with U.S. Government science and technology or acquisition customer communities for weapons and expendable systems technologies.
- Experience across business development, acquisition, research and development, production, and sustainment phases.
- Experience as a Chief Engineer or technical lead planning and executing technical design and integration tasks on schedule, at cost, and to technical requirements.
- Strong understanding of weapons and related systems, including mission systems, seekers, weapon data links, architectures, warheads, platform integration, and mission engineering.
- Ability to make sound decisions in uncertain, ambiguous, or difficult situations.
- Excellent organizational, written communication, project management planning, and presentation skills.
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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Healthcare Strength — Health coverage offers multiple medical plan options by region alongside dental, vision, mental‑health resources, and wellness programs. Recent materials also highlight added family‑building support, including a dedicated fertility benefit.
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Retirement Support — The 401(k) savings plan is positioned as competitive with a company match, auto‑escalation features, and access to an employee stock fund/ESPP. Official filings and benefits guides emphasize retirement as a core element of the Total Rewards package.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Many sites offer a 9/80 schedule, generous PTO, paid holidays, and flexible/telework options where program needs allow. Paid parental and caregiver leave are prominently featured, with recent enhancements for the delivering parent.
Northrop Grumman Insights
What We Do
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.
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