Northrop Grumman Mission Systems is a trusted provider of mission-enabling solutions for global security. We have a wide portfolio of secure, affordable, integrated, and multi-domain systems and technologies. Our differentiated battle management and Cyber solutions deliver timely, mission-enabling information and provide superior situational awareness and understanding to protect the U.S. and its global allies.
Northrop Grumman Mission Systems Sector is looking for a Principal Production Operations liaison located in Buffalo, NY. This position it full time onsite. The Principal Operations Program Manager (OPM) will be responsible for executing, monitoring, and reporting on the progress of program performance in support of the Amherst Systems Operating Unit (OU) under the Navigation, Targeting and Survivability (NT&S) Division in the Mission Systems Sector.
This position will be the point-of-contact between Manufacturing and the Program Management organization on assigned programs or projects working with Quality & Mission Excellence, Engineering, Business Management and Global Supply Chain.
What You’ll Get to Do:
- Act as the Operations Project Manager for assigned products and programs.
- Manage and maintain the day-to-day interfaces and communications between Manufacturing and functional groups including but not limited to the Program Management Office (PMO), Material Requirements Planning (MRP), Quality & Mission Assurance (QMA), Global Supply Chain (GSC), Engineering, and Shipping.
- Function as an interface between Manufacturing and functional groups and provide leadership through design, build, test, and delivery to achieve customer, program and company objectives.
- Coordinate all aspects of manufacturing scope of work throughout program lifecycle including baseline development, procurement coordination, material tracking, coordination of kitting, manpower and capacity planning, and reporting of program cost, schedule, technical and quality performance.
- Responsible for operations cost, schedule performance and risk/opportunity management for the assigned products.
- Oversee inputs of demands and create schedules in the MRP planning system to coordinate, forecast, and report on performance, risk, and mitigation plans to factory management.
- Reporting Earned Value Management System (EVMS) and serving as the Cost Account Management (CAM) for manufacturing, test and manufacturing support functions
- Facilitate and /or support program meetings and provide status including presenting Operations status to site leadership.
- Be a leader and change agent and drive improvement into our processes.
- Work to develop better metrics and visibility in reporting program cost, schedule and quality.
- Work to develop better methods/models to manage labor resources and improve forecasting accuracy.
- Estimate the Operations content in proposals to secure new business and ensure the accuracy, feasibility and affordability of pricing data that is being presented to customers.
- Manage work between Northrop Grumman facilities on assigned programs or projects as needed.
- May require occasional travel (up to ~4 times per year).
In addition to the Operation Program Engineering responsibilities, this role will also carry with it some responsibilities in the fields of Production Planning and Control, Industrial Engineering and Manufacturing Engineering. The individual in this role should be able to help with these other functions when team members are not available or if assigned as a stretch project.
The Ideal Candidate must have:
- excellent interpersonal, communication and organizational skills
- be able to establish a solid working relationship with technical staff, peers, and customers
- have exceptional technical, analytical, strategic, and critical thinking skills
- have the ability to prioritize and complete and/or coordinate multiple tasks within critical deadlines
- be able to pay attention to detail.
Principal Production Operations Basic Qualifications:
- Bachelor's Degree in engineering, or other related discipline with a minimum of 5 years of related experience working with manufacturing teams; minimum of 3 years with a Master’s degree
- Experience managing and communicating statuses on complex projects to all levels of management, including the executive level.
- Experience leading a team, providing direction, and determining priorities to achieve cost and schedule requirements.
- Experience analyzing data and figures (cost and schedule along with other manufacturing related metrics).
- Experience with Microsoft Office Suite Products (PowerPoint, Word, Excel, Project).
- U.S Citizenship required.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Master’s degree in Engineering or Business Administration
- Defense industry experience
- Experience with MRP/SAP
- Experience/strong working knowledge of EVMS
- Continuous Improvement (CI) experience
- Control Account Manager (CAM) experience
- Quoting/estimating experience
- Supplier management experience
#MPR
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 in engineering or a related discipline with at least 5 years of related experience working with manufacturing teams, or a master's degree with at least 3 years of related experience
- Experience managing and communicating complex project status to all levels of management, including executives
- Experience leading a team, providing direction, and determining priorities to meet cost and schedule requirements
- Experience analyzing cost, schedule, and manufacturing-related metrics
- Experience with Microsoft Office Suite, including PowerPoint, Word, Excel, and Project
- U.S. citizenship
- Master's degree in Engineering or Business Administration
- Defense industry experience
- Experience with MRP or SAP
- Strong working knowledge of EVMS
- Continuous improvement experience
- Control Account Manager experience
- Quoting or estimating experience
- Supplier management experience
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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Healthcare Strength — Health coverage offers multiple medical plan options by region alongside dental, vision, mental‑health resources, and wellness programs. Recent materials also highlight added family‑building support, including a dedicated fertility benefit.
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Retirement Support — The 401(k) savings plan is positioned as competitive with a company match, auto‑escalation features, and access to an employee stock fund/ESPP. Official filings and benefits guides emphasize retirement as a core element of the Total Rewards package.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Many sites offer a 9/80 schedule, generous PTO, paid holidays, and flexible/telework options where program needs allow. Paid parental and caregiver leave are prominently featured, with recent enhancements for the delivering parent.
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.
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