Job Description
At the heart of Defining Possible is our commitment to missions. In rapidly changing global security environments, Northrop Grumman brings informed insights and software-secure technology to enable strategic planning. We’re seeking innovators to help us enhance our portfolio of secure, affordable, integrated, and multi-domain systems and technologies. By joining us, you will have the opportunity to expand your personal network and develop your skills, whether you are new to the field or a seasoned industry leader. At Northrop Grumman, you’ll find the resources, support, and team needed to excel in your career.
Position Overview:
Northrop Grumman Mission Systems, Networked Information Systems, Engineering and Sciences (E&S) is seeking a Senior Engineering Manager for an onsite position in San Diego, CA. This role will serve as the Business Execution Engineering lead supporting the Fighter Networked Systems (FNS) Operating Unit, reporting directly to the NIS E&S Connectivity & Network Solutions (CNS) Business Execution Engineering Director. This role will oversee the technical execution of a dynamic portfolio of programs in the FNS OU and serve as the primary interface between (E&S) and program leadership.
Key Responsibilities:
- Provide technical leadership for a portfolio of programs executing development, production and sustainment of connectivity and network solutions for advanced fighter platforms
- Serve as primary engineering authority and engineering lead to the FNS OU Director, responsible for reviewing and approving program baselines, Estimate at Complete (EAC) financial reviews, staffing reviews, capture reviews, and recurring program execution reviews to ensure technical execution directly aligns with operating unit financial forecasts and targets
- Support engineering leadership development and workforce planning to ensure adequate staffing levels while facilitating resource sharing across multiple business areas
- Partner with program leadership and the engineering homeroom to forecast headcount requirements and skill gaps
- Drive workforce development, succession planning, and engineering leadership pipeline initiatives
- Optimize resource sharing and cross-functional staffing across multiple business areas.
- Drive engineering execution strategy, including developing and leading strategic initiatives to enhance engineering technical execution on programs to deliver high quality capability at speed
- Foster engineering rigor, build consensus, and, collaborating with cross-functional teams throughout business
- Define and ensure compliance with engineering processes and best practices
- Ensure quality of work products and independent technical reviews for OU programs
Basic Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, or related fields, with 8 years of experience; Master's degree with 6 years of experience
- 10+ years of professional experience in defense or aerospace industries
- Experience leading multiple technical teams across the full product lifecycle (development, production, sustainment)
- Must have proven program/project management experience as an IPT lead or program manager
- Working knowledge of program execution, staffing, engineering metrics and training resources, processes, and tools
- Knowledgeable in software, systems or hardware engineering processes and tailoring
- Experience leading large and diverse technical teams across multiple locations
- High proficiency in technical problem-solving, including root cause analysis and solution development
- High proficiency in technical execution, including implementing recovery plans, adjusting engineering baselines, and resolving critical path technical blockers
- High proficiency in Earned Value Management with practical experiences as a Control Account Manager and with Variance Reports
- High proficiency in risk management and root cause identification and corrective action planning
- Must have an active Secret clearance with ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret SCI
Preferred Qualifications:
- Advanced degree in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, or related fields
- Domain experience in Tactical Data Links, RF engineering, or airborne communications networks
- Proven success in leading organizations with more than 50 employees
- Prior experience in engineering functional leadership
- Prior proposal/capture experience
- Demonstrated technical experience across multiple program phases
- Active Top Secret SCI clearance
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in STEM with 8 years of experience (Master's with 6 years)
- 10+ years professional experience in defense or aerospace industries
- Experience leading multiple technical teams across full product lifecycle (development, production, sustainment)
- Proven program/project management experience as an IPT lead or program manager
- Working knowledge of program execution, staffing, engineering metrics, processes, and tools
- Knowledgeable in software, systems or hardware engineering processes and tailoring
- Experience leading large and diverse technical teams across multiple locations
- High proficiency in technical problem-solving, root cause analysis and solution development
- High proficiency in technical execution, including recovery plans and adjusting engineering baselines
- High proficiency in Earned Value Management with practical experience as a Control Account Manager and Variance Reports
- High proficiency in risk management and corrective action planning
- Active Secret clearance with ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret SCI
- Advanced degree in STEM fields
- Domain experience in Tactical Data Links, RF engineering, or airborne communications networks
- Proven success leading organizations with more than 50 employees
- Prior engineering functional leadership or proposal/capture experience
- Active Top Secret SCI clearance
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.









