Northrop Grumman Defense Systems Sector is seeking a Director Business Development 2 who will be responsible for shaping and executing the Weapon Systems Division’s growth strategy. This role leads capture and business development activities across a portfolio of programs and pursuits, builds strong customer relationships, and drives differentiated, winning strategies aligned to division and sector objectives. This role will be located in northern Virgina (preferred). Willing to discuss other locations.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and execute a comprehensive business development and growth strategy for the Weapon Systems Division, aligned with sector and corporate priorities.
- Achieving awards to support the WSD annual operating plan and long range strategic plan.
- Building and managing a robust pipeline aligned with our key market focus areas
- Lead process for key stakeholder engagements, building and sustaining strong relationships with customer, stakeholder, and partner communities; represent the division in key customer engagements, reviews, and industry events.
- Coordinate with Communications to help lead development of our storyboard or narrative across the lifecycle of our stakeholder engagements (Own our Narrative)
- Actively support ‘keep it sold’ campaigns for existing and follow-on programs
- Support and align with Enterprise / Sector gates, processes, training, and standardization as we approach our global stakeholders as One Northrop Grumman.
- Lead opportunity identification, qualification, and prioritization across assigned markets and customers (e.g., DoW, FMS, key primes/partners).
- Serve as capture lead or executive sponsor on high‑priority pursuits, including development of win strategies, competitive assessments, price-to-win inputs, and proposal themes.
- Provide leadership, mentoring, and direction to business development and capture teams; help build BD talent and succession pipeline.
- Partner with program management, engineering, and functional teams to shape discriminating solutions and offerings responsive to customer missions and requirements.
- Monitor market, threat, and budget trends; provide insight to investment priorities, IRAD focus areas, and portfolio strategy.
- Prepare and deliver regular status updates, briefings, and recommendations to division and sector leadership on pipeline health, key pursuits, and growth performance.
Basic Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Business or related field.
- 15+ years in business development, capture management, or program management in the defense or aerospace industry.
- International experience with industry and government military of defense; process and compliance insight including ITAR, Offsets, etc.
- Demonstrated awards and pipeline growth leading at the OU and BU level
- Demonstrated success leading complex captures or growth initiatives, preferably in weapons systems, missiles, or related mission areas.
- Proven ability to build and maintain senior‑level customer and stakeholder relationships within DoW and/or other government agencies.
- Strong understanding of government acquisition processes, competitive procurement, and proposal development.
- Excellent strategic thinking, communication (written and verbal), and presentation skills.
- Ability to lead cross‑functional teams and influence without direct authority.
- Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance, up to Top Secret SCI.
Preferred Qualifications
- Prior experience in weapons, ammunition, and fire control systems.
- Experience with international pursuits and FMS/offset considerations.
- Uniformed military experience
- Direct experience with lifecycle management, gate reviews, and enterprise capture processes.
- Existing relationships with key customers and stakeholders in the weapons systems mission area.
- Current active Top Secret clearance
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Business or a related field
- 15+ years of experience in business development, capture management, or program management in the defense or aerospace industry
- International experience with industry and government military or defense organizations
- Process and compliance knowledge, including ITAR and offsets
- Demonstrated awards and pipeline growth at the operating unit and business unit levels
- Success leading complex captures or growth initiatives, preferably in weapons systems, missiles, or related mission areas
- Ability to build and maintain senior-level customer and stakeholder relationships within the Department of War and/or other government agencies
- Strong understanding of government acquisition processes, competitive procurement, and proposal development
- Strategic thinking, written and verbal communication, and presentation skills
- Ability to lead cross-functional teams and influence without direct authority
- Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance up to Top Secret SCI
- Prior experience with weapons, ammunition, and fire control systems
- Experience with international pursuits and Foreign Military Sales or offset considerations
- Uniformed military experience
- Experience with lifecycle management, gate reviews, and enterprise capture processes
- Existing relationships with key weapons systems customers and stakeholders
- Current active Top Secret clearance
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.






