Northrop Grumman Defense Systems is seeking a Program Manager 2. This position will be located in Huntsville, AL.
What You’ll Get To Do:
- Lead a cross-functional Cruise Missile Design focused Supplier Management Team (GSC, Mission Assurance, Production, Engineering, Business Management, and support functions) responsible for planning and executing supplier scope in alignment with SLCM-N program objectives for cost, - schedule, technical performance, and quality.
- Direct all phases of major supplier efforts and related work packages from inception through completion, including baseline definition, subcontract planning, execution, and change control within the Technology Maturation and Risk Reduction (TMRR) phase.
- Establish, monitor, and maintain technical and programmatic performance baselines for key subcontracts; assess execution status against plan and drive timely corrective actions to maintain performance to baseline.
- Own and execute systematic Risk and Opportunity Management for supplier scope, identifying, analyzing, handling, and communicating risks/opportunities throughout the subcontract life cycle.
- Serve as primary program interface for assigned suppliers, ensuring disciplined, timely, and transparent communication and issue resolution across internal stakeholders and supplier counterparts.
- Perform Control Account Manager (CAM) responsibilities for supplier-related control accounts, including development and maintenance of budgets, Earned Value Management (EVM) performance, IPMDAR metrics, variance analysis, and forecasting.
- Lead development, review, and maintenance of Supplier Statements of Work (SSOWs), Requests for Proposal (RFPs), and supplier proposals, including technical evaluations, Basis of Estimate (BOE) reviews, and overall proposal quality assessments.
- Analyze and integrate supplier schedules with the program Integrated Master Schedule (IMS), assessing impacts to program milestones and driving recovery or mitigation actions as required.
- Prepare and deliver clear, data-driven briefings and reports to internal and external stakeholders, including program, functional, and customer leadership, on supplier performance, risks, and plans.
- Provide day-to-day leadership, direction, and coaching to team members supporting supplier execution, ensuring effective programmatic “battle rhythm,” adherence to processes, and continuous improvement in supplier performance.
As a full-time employee of Northrop Grumman Defense Systems, you are eligible for our robust benefits package including:
- Medical, Dental & Vision coverage
- 401k
- Educational Assistance
- Life Insurance
- Employee Assistance Programs & Work/Life Solutions
- Paid Time Off
- Health & Wellness Resources
- Employee Discounts
This positions standard work schedule is a 9/80. The 9/80 schedule allows employees who work a nine-hour day Monday through Thursday to take every other Friday off. This role may offer a competitive relocation assistance package.
You’ll Bring These Qualifications:
- Bachelors degree with 8 years of relevant experience, OR a Masters degree and 6 years of relevant experience or an additional 4 years of related experience in lieu of degree
- Must be a US Citizen with an active DoD Secret Clearance, at time of application, current and within scope, with an investigation date within the last 6 years
- Must have the ability to obtain and maintain Top Secret Clearance and Special Access Program (SAP) approval within a reasonable period of time, as determined by the company to meet its business needs
- Demonstrated experience managing supplier or subcontract scope (e.g., SMT, supply chain, or program management role), including development and adherence to master plans and schedules, budget tracking, and risk and opportunity management
- Financial experience with Earned Value Management Systems (EVMS) or similar cost and schedule management systems (e.g., IPMDAR analysis, performance metrics, variance analysis, and forecasting)
These Qualifications Are Nice To Have:
- Active DoD Top Secret Clearance
- Minimum 3 years of formal lead and/or management experience leading projects or teams, including cross-functional teams, in support of U.S. Government contracts or large supplier portfolios
- 1+ years of direct subcontract management experience overseeing one or more major suppliers with multiple deliverables, including performance management and issue resolution
- Experience managing a program effort or major subcontract during technology maturation, development, or risk-reduction phases (e.g., TMRR or equivalent), with proven ability to manage multiple projects concurrently to meet customer requirements and expectations
- PMP certification, CAM certification, and/or advanced degree; demonstrated understanding and application of Lean, Agile, or Six Sigma tools to improve supplier and program performance
- Proven ability to develop and lead programmatic “battle rhythm,” and to communicate effectively (verbal, written, and presentations) across all levels of the organization and with external customers and suppliers, demonstrating independent, creative problem-solving and a strong customer-focused mindset
Skills Required
- Bachelors degree with 8 years of relevant experience, OR Masters degree with 6 years of relevant experience (or additional 4 years in lieu of degree)
- Must be a US Citizen with an active DoD Secret Clearance at time of application (investigation within last 6 years)
- Ability to obtain and maintain Top Secret Clearance and Special Access Program (SAP) approval within a reasonable period
- Demonstrated experience managing supplier or subcontract scope, including master plans, schedules, budget tracking, and risk/opportunity management
- Financial experience with Earned Value Management Systems (EVMS) or similar cost and schedule management systems (IPMDAR analysis, variance analysis, forecasting)
- Travel up to 25% of the time
- Active DoD Top Secret Clearance
- Minimum 3 years formal lead/management experience leading projects or cross-functional teams on U.S. Government contracts or large supplier portfolios
- 1+ years direct subcontract management experience overseeing major suppliers with multiple deliverables
- Experience managing program efforts or major subcontracts during technology maturation, development, or risk-reduction phases (TMRR or equivalent)
- PMP, CAM certification, and/or advanced degree; familiarity with Lean, Agile, or Six Sigma
- Proven ability to develop programmatic battle rhythm and communicate effectively across all levels
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.








