At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems and technology that impact people’s lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our work preserves freedom and democracy, and advances human discovery and our understanding of the universe. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have a lot of 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 are making history.
Northrop Grumman’s Mission System (NGMS) Sector is seeking a Manager, Programs Level 2 to support the Multidomain Sensing, Targeting and Survivability (MSTS) Division’s Advanced Land Sensors Operating Unit (OU) onsite in Linthicum, MD. This manager will lead a cross-functional organization to develop advanced capabilities for the OU. You will be responsible for profitable execution of programs that meet schedule and customer requirements. Our ideal candidate will possess exceptional technical expertise and collaborative people skills with the proven ability to work within a technically dynamic, high-growth, fast-paced and strategically important operating unit.
What You'll Get to Do:
The primary objective will be the delivery of all contractual requirements on cost and on schedule, while achieving all technical requirements and creating customer intimacy to support value creation strategies and actions. The individual will lead a cross-functional organization aligned to common program performance goals. Program Managers are responsible for leading all phases of the program life cycle from inception (proposal development) through startup, execution, and completion (contract closeout). Primary responsibilities are the management of cost, schedule, and technical performance of company programs or subsystems and include, but are not limited to:
Cultivating customer relationships and intimacy to develop further opportunities within the customer community.
Developing new business opportunities through long term strategic planning, capture planning, and development of proposals and business plans.
Establishing a program organization 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.
Measuring and reporting program performance.
Delivering presentations to customers, executive management and other program stakeholders.
Participating in the negotiation of contracts, contract changes, specifications, operating budgets, schedule milestones, and key terms and conditions.
Establishing design concepts, criteria, and engineering efforts for product research, development, integration and test.
Creation, review and finalization of the program Statement of Work.
Identification, distribution, tracking, and completion of program requirements.
Establishment and management of the program and subordinate baselines.
Development and adherence to budget baselines utilizing Earned Value Management (EVM) or similar cost & schedule control methodologies and tools.
Identifying, allocating and managing program resources, including workforce planning.
Managing Government/customer supplied property or information (GFE, CFE, etc.).
Managing suppliers to meet program objectives.
Adherence to all internal processes, policies, and applicable industry standards.
Ensuring program team understands and adheres to contract scope, and manages change through control board activities.
Development and adherence to master plans and schedules.
Conducting thorough risk & opportunity management practices including identification, mitigation and realization.
Basic Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree with 8+ years of relevant professional experience, or a Master’s degree with 6+ years of relevant professional experience, supporting U.S. Government contracts/customers, program or project management, or related industries.
Demonstrated experience serving in a formal program or project leadership role, such as Project Lead, Integrated Product Team (IPT) Lead, Cost Account Manager (CAM), or equivalent, with responsibility for delivering against defined technical, contractual, cost, schedule, and/or performance requirements.
Experience applying Earned Value Management (EVM) principles and processes, including cost and schedule performance monitoring, variance analysis, forecasting, and/or Estimate at Completion (EAC) development.
Experience managing program or project execution against defined technical, contractual, cost, schedule, and/or performance requirements, including identification, tracking, and resolution of execution issues.
Experience leading cross-functional teams of 5 or more individuals, including responsibility for task coordination, performance tracking, schedule execution, and issue resolution.
Experience developing written program communications, including reports, executive briefings, status updates, and/or program reviews, and presenting program information to senior leadership, customers, and cross-functional stakeholders.
U.S. citizenship required.
Must possess a current/active U.S. DoD Secret clearance (adjudicated within the last 5 years) to be considered.
Preferred Qualifications:
Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering, Business Administration, Program Management, or a related technical or business discipline.
Experience leading sensor system, technology development, and/or production programs, including operational management of RF systems, products, capabilities, and/or enabling technologies.
Experience managing multi-year DoD or U.S. Government contracts, including CPIF, FPIF, FFP, IRAD, and/or CRAD efforts.
Experience applying Earned Value Management (EVM) principles and using project management or scheduling tools such as Microsoft Project.
Working knowledge of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS).
What We Can Offer You:
Northrop Grumman provides a comprehensive benefits package and a work environment which encourages your growth and supports the mutual success of our people and our company. Northrop Grumman benefits give you the flexibility and control to choose the benefits that make the most sense for you and your family. Your benefits will include the following: Health Plan, Savings Plan, Paid Time Off and Additional Benefits including Education Assistance, Training and Development, 9/80 Work Schedule (where available), and much more!
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree with 8 or more years of relevant professional experience, or a master's degree with 6 or more years of relevant professional experience, supporting U.S. Government contracts or customers, program or project management, or related industries.
- Formal program or project leadership experience, such as Project Lead, Integrated Product Team Lead, Cost Account Manager, or equivalent.
- Experience applying Earned Value Management principles and processes, including cost and schedule monitoring, variance analysis, forecasting, or Estimate at Completion development.
- Experience managing program or project execution against technical, contractual, cost, schedule, or performance requirements, including execution issue resolution.
- Experience leading cross-functional teams of five or more individuals.
- Experience developing written program communications and presenting program information to senior leadership, customers, and stakeholders.
- U.S. citizenship.
- Current and active U.S. DoD Secret clearance, adjudicated within the last five years.
- Bachelor's or master's degree in Engineering, Business Administration, Program Management, or a related technical or business discipline.
- Experience leading sensor system, technology development, or production programs involving RF systems or related technologies.
- Experience managing multi-year DoD or U.S. Government contracts, including CPIF, FPIF, FFP, IRAD, or CRAD efforts.
- Experience using project management or scheduling tools such as Microsoft Project.
- Working knowledge of FAR and DFARS.
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.





