Director of Programs 2 - Research & Advanced Design

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes

CLEARANCE TYPE: Top Secret

TRAVEL: Yes, 25% of the TimeDescription

At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work — and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible. Our employees are not only part of history, they're making history.

Northrop Grumman’s Aeronautics Systems (NGAS) Sector is looking for a Director of Programs 2 to join the Research & Advanced Design (R&AD) Division. This leadership role is located in Dayton, Ohio and cannot be performed remotely. This leadership position will be based in Dayton, Ohio and will frequent travel to other NGAS sites and customer locations throughout the United States.

This new role will lead profit & loss for all NGAS efforts at the Dayton, Ohio site and lead development of future technologies that differentiate and discriminate our aeronautics platforms. Partnering with our functional organizations, the Dayton Site Lead will align our existing efforts and grow the capabilities of the site aligned to our Government stakeholders’ technology roadmaps.

Position Description

In this role the candidate will report directly to the Sector Vice President and General Manager of R&AD and will have profit & loss (P&L) responsibility for the shaping, capture, and program execution of a portfolio of early-stage aeronautics research & development and low-rate component manufacturing. With a particular emphasis on advanced survivability technologies.

Success in this role will be measured by meeting or exceeding R&AD AOP awards for the existing portfolio, increasing portfolio CAGR for new opportunities, achieving a > 1.0 portfolio book-to-bill, meeting partner NGAS Division award targets, and minimizing schedule variance on product and schedule deliveries. This role will partner closely with our counterpart R&AD and NGAS Division business development, production, and program management teams to establish footholds in new lines of business for Northrop Grumman that have synergies with R&D customers at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.

This role directs all phases of Dayton site’s program objectives from inception through completion. Responsible for site specific technical statement of work / performance and overall site operations. He/she oversees all Dayton site program managers. He/she are responsible for all site day to day activities of the Dayton site, including employees timesheets, performance evaluations, property control, facility, safety, security and daily production and directs the work of employees assigned from technical, manufacturing and administrative areas. He/she provides leadership, guidance, and career development to all site employees. Ensures adherence to Northrop Grumman and Human Resources policies.

Relationship management, capture and program management acumen, and unquestionable integrity and transparency are vital skills necessary for success in this role. This leadership position will manage a matrixed and direct-report workforce of over 400 E/P deployed at the Dayton site.

Essential Responsibilities

Job Scope

The Site Lead for Dayton’s responsibilities include: long-range planning, and full responsibility for all aspects of program performance. Major program, new business area, & capture/proposal management roles with high leverage, strategically critical & significant downstream value.

Operations Involvement / Direct Work Involvement

Responsible for the successful operation of activities of major significance to the organization. Rarely becomes involved in daily operational activities. Is more concerned to see that long-range budgets, schedules, and performance standards are realistically set and attained.

Impact

Sets & drives strategy for a broad set of Business Group or Sector initiatives Is empowered to make decisions and is accountable for results that significantly impact sector AOP & LRSP goals (key sector or Company initiatives) Decisions are critical & direct risk/reward implications for sector. Accountable for results that significantly impact sector AOP & LRSP outcomes (program performance, financial performance, growth, etc.); decisions are critical & direct risk/reward implications for sector.

Liaison

Represents the functional/business unit or sector as a prime internal & external contact on contracts or operations; has regular interaction with director & VP-level customer management; has critical influence over customer or Sector business decisions perceptions/opinions. The site leader is responsible for leading all phases of the program life cycle from inception (marketing, sales, and proposal development) through execution of technology maturation and risk reduction (TMRR), and transition of P&L to our partner NGAS Divisions or partner NG Sectors. 

Primary responsibilities are successful capture and subsequent management of quality, cost, schedule, and technical performance of aeronautics programs CRAD / IRAD, including but not limited to:

• Leading profit and loss for programs executing at the Dayton site
• Cultivating customer relationships and intimacy to develop new aircraft concepts that align with emerging mission needs, particularly with AFRL and DARPA
• Developing winning business deals in a competitive new aircraft market for prototype development contracts
• Obtaining early customer funding for aircraft technology maturation efforts
• Optimizing a program organization for lean operations 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 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 
• 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
• Ensuring program team understands and adheres to contract scope, and manages change through control board activities, and drives performance towards first-flight milestones
• Conducting thorough risk & opportunity management practices including risk identification, mitigation and realization
• Managing Government/customer supplied property or information (GFE, CFE, etc.) 
• Establishing relationships with new suppliers and managing those suppliers to meet program objectives

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 in a STEM discipline and 15 years of related experience as defined below; or a Master's degree in a STEM discipline and 13 years of related experience as defined below
• Related experience includes professional and/or military experience to include a background in project management, program management, engineering, capture efforts, and/or business management related functions.
• 5 years in program or project leadership roles
• Active DoD Top Secret security clearance with SCI eligibility
• Ability to obtain and maintain special access program(s)
• Previous experience managing P&L in the defense and aerospace industry
• Background in marketing and sales and proposal development to DARPA, ONR, and/or AFRL
• Experience in low-rate or prototype manufacturing of complex weapons systems and/or aircraft
• Experience working with executives and senior leaders
• Experience leading / aligning teams to achieve a common goal in a dynamic work environment
• Experience managing communications with diverse stakeholders
• Demonstrated depth in technical and business acumen
• Experience working with small businesses in supply chains

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s or PhD in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, or electrical engineering and advanced industry training in program management and capture
• Active TS/SCI
• Technical leadership or program management experience at a startup or small technical development firm
• Profit & loss responsibility with demonstrated ability to achieve financial performance targets in emerging and competitive markets
• The ability to address uncertainty through an organized and analytical forward-looking approach
• Successful leadership of rapid prototype development programs

Primary Level Salary Range: $242,100.00 - $363,100.00

The 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.