Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems (NGAS) has an exciting career opportunity for a Guidance Navigation Controls Manager 2 to join our team of qualified individuals working at our Research and Advanced Design, Engineering Integration and Execution team. This hands-on leadership position is located onsite in Rancho Bernardo, CA.
As an engineering manager of a Flight Sciences and Vehicle Controls section, you will be a functional manager reporting to the Flight Sciences & Vehicle Controls Department of the Research and Advanced Design, Engineering Integration and Execution team in the Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems sector. You will be responsible for the people, processes, tools, and technology to meet the current and future Flight Controls design analysis needs of unclassified and classified programs in Rancho Bernardo, California. In this role, you will support program activity and perform the functional management role at approx. 20% and concurrent ~80% engineering responsibilities.
Essential Functions:
- Provide technical oversight to a discipline team of Guidance Navigation & Controls (GNC) engineers, provide technical oversight across the sector, including independent reviews of major programs, support of proposal, and identification of technology needs
- Manage a team of engineers supporting people, processes, tools, and technology
- Provide Guidance Navigation & Controls (GNC) technical and programmatic guidance to programs
- Provide leadership, mentorship, and direction to team members
- Coordinate staffing with IPTs and support staffing processes, review resumes, conduct interviews, and grow and maintain critical skillsets
- Establish and maintain processes, design manuals, and common tools for programs across the discipline Center of Technical Excellence (COTE)
- Identify capital assets, indirect, and training budgets required for personnel to perform statements of work
- Facilitate and promote improvement initiatives, and share any lessons learned and best practices between programs and engineering teams
- Administer Quarterly Connections performance reviews, bonus plan, and salary review processes in conjunction with program IPT leaders and the Flight Sciences and Vehicle Controls leadership team
- Interface with customers to define study areas and report status on current programs and technology development efforts
- May interface with management and technical teams to define business relationships and technology initiatives for both IRAD (Internal Research and Development) and CRAD (Contractual Research and Development) efforts
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:
- Must have a Bachelor's degree in a relevant Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) discipline and 9 years of relevant professional/military experience; OR Master's degree in a relevant STEM discipline and 7 years of relevant professional/military experience
- Must have prior leadership experience within an engineering team environment
- Must have a background in and demonstrated experience with Flight Sciences and Vehicle Controls Design & Analysis
- Must have Guidance Navigation & Controls (GNC) knowledge with experience analyzing either subsonic, supersonic, or hypersonic aircraft or missile systems
- Must have the ability to obtain and maintain a US Government Secret clearance prior to start
- Must have the ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program (SAP) clearance
Preferred Qualifications:
- Current, in-scope Secret clearance (or higher) (Highly preferred)
- Experience in technical leadership and guidance to Flight Sciences & Vehicle Controls discipline areas
- Experience in Flight Sciences & Vehicle Controls processes and products throughout the program life cycle
- Demonstrated ability to and/or experience leading an engineering or cross-functional team
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in STEM field and 9 years relevant experience OR Master's degree in STEM and 7 years relevant experience
- Prior leadership experience within an engineering team environment
- Background in Flight Sciences and Vehicle Controls design and analysis
- Guidance Navigation & Controls (GNC) knowledge with experience analyzing subsonic, supersonic, or hypersonic aircraft or missile systems
- Ability to obtain and maintain a US Government Secret clearance prior to start
- Ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program (SAP) clearance
- Current, in-scope Secret clearance (or higher)
- Experience providing technical leadership and guidance to Flight Sciences & Vehicle Controls discipline areas
- Experience with Flight Sciences & Vehicle Controls processes and products throughout the program life cycle
- Demonstrated ability to lead an engineering or cross-functional team
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.
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.








