Northrop Grumman is seeking a Program Lead to support the IBCS portfolio within the Hardware and Services Business Area in Huntsville, Alabama.
The Program Lead is responsible for overall execution of assigned program scope within the IBCS portfolio, including cost, schedule, and performance alignment. This position operates within a highly matrixed environment and integrates across Hardware, Software, Engineering, Supply Chain, Logistics, and Business Management stakeholders.
The Program Lead owns program execution performance and ensures delivery commitments are met in alignment with contractual requirements and business objectives.
Roles and Responsibilities
- Own overall program execution performance for assigned scope
- Lead cost, schedule, and technical performance alignment
- Ensure program commitments are executable and aligned to baseline
- Manage program risks and opportunities and drive mitigation plans
- Coordinate cross-functional teams to deliver on program objectives
- Provide clear and concise status communication to leadership and stakeholders
- Lead program reviews and represent the program in governance forums
- Ensure alignment between program requirements and product execution activities
- Drive issue resolution across functional boundaries
- Monitor program health indicators and implement corrective actions as required
- Partner with IPT Leads and Engineering to ensure technical alignment supports program objectives
- Maintain compliance with contractual requirements and internal governance
Basic Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree and 8 years of related professional experience; OR Master’s degree and 6 years of related professional experience
- Experience leading program or project execution in a complex defense or aerospace environment
- Demonstrated experience managing cost, schedule, and performance
- Experience leading cross-functional teams within a matrixed organization
- Strong communication and briefing skills for leadership and customer audiences
- Active Secret clearance required at time of application
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with IBCS or similar defense systems
- Experience in a manufacturing production-based program
- Experience with Earned Value Management and program financial tracking
- Experience supporting domestic and FMS program execution
- Demonstrated ability to manage customer-facing interactions
Leadership Expectations
- Demonstrates ownership and accountability for program outcomes
- Drives disciplined execution and proactive risk management
- Enables alignment across engineering, manufacturing, software, FMS, and business management
- Operates with transparency and strong stakeholder engagement
- Promotes a culture focused on outcomes, execution discipline, and continuous improvement
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree and 8 years of related professional experience; OR Master's degree and 6 years of related professional experience
- Active Secret clearance required at time of application
- Experience leading program or project execution in a complex defense or aerospace environment
- Demonstrated experience managing cost, schedule, and performance
- Experience leading cross-functional teams within a matrixed organization
- Strong communication and briefing skills for leadership and customer audiences
- Experience with IBCS or similar defense systems
- Experience in a manufacturing production-based program
- Experience with Earned Value Management and program financial tracking
- Experience supporting domestic and FMS program execution
- Demonstrated ability to manage customer-facing interactions
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.





