The COIC and Aero structures organization within Northrop Grumman Intelligence Systems division’s Mission Enabling Products is seeking a highly qualified, mission-oriented Principal Project Manger to join our exciting team which provides various markets with critical Ceramic Composite Matrix (CMC) oxide and non-oxide products including applications in commercial power, exhaust systems, and thermally resistant structures as well as missile and aero structure composite components.
Learn more about our components at the following websites: https://www.northropgrumman.com/what-we-do/space/mission-enabling-products/structures and https://www.coiceramics.com
Overview
Reporting to the Program Management Product Leader in San Diego, the Principal Project Manager will be responsible for supporting key programs within the business portfolio, notably Ceramic Matrix Composite components as well as composite missile and aero structures. This role will require a technical background, exhibit leadership potential and collaborative people skills with the proven ability experience to work within a technically dynamic, high-growth, fast-paced and strategically important operating unit. This position is located in San Diego, CA and is 100% on-site.
Role and Responsibilities:
Responsibilities will include, but may not be limited to:
- Serves as liaison between program management and cross-functional engineering teams during proposal, design, procurement, manufacturing, test, and delivery phases of products
- Work with the Program Management team to establish milestones and monitors adherence to master plans and schedules including Cost Account Management (CAM) EVMS assignments.
- Reviews and assists program manager in budget and schedule evaluation, including Earned Value Management System (EVMS) metrics, critical path management, Estimates-at-Completion (EACs), resource forecasts; prepares status reports
- Oversee operational aspects of ongoing projects and support the program manager in planning, proposals, and general deliverables for internal and external customers
- Supports proposal development for change orders and new business and capture and strategic planning
- Collaborate with program manager(s) to develop and maintain effective business rhythm
- Assess project issues and develop resolutions to meet productivity, quality, and client-satisfaction goals and objectives
- Participate in failure root cause analysis and corrective actions as needed
- Transition designs to manufacturing, working with the technical team to identify ways to streamline manufacturing and assembly processes, achieving required delivery rates and reduced cost targets
- Collaborate with Value Stream Leadership on capacity assessments
- Identify and execute process improvements
To be successful in this role, the candidate must be a self-starter, have excellent written and oral communication skills, be highly collaborative, organized, team oriented, and be able to effectively multi-task competing priorities and schedules across the organization
Basic Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering or other technical discipline with five years related experience
- 2 years of Project Management experience or experience leading the performance of tasks on schedule and as either project lead, integrated program team lead; OR one year of experience with a master’s degree. An additional four years’ experience may be considered in lieu of degree
- Experience supporting customers in a project/technical lead role
- Ability to communicate with multiple levels of the organization having excellent presentation skills
- Strong interpersonal, communication and presentation skills
- Proven analytical, technical, strategic and problem-solving skills
- Highly proficient in MS Office Suite and MS Project
- Ability to obtain and maintain a US Government Security clearance
- U.S. Citizenship required
Preferred Qualifications:
- 4+ years of Project Management Experience
- Experience working in technology or development organizations
- Experience with earned value management
- Aerospace or defense industry experience
- Program execution experience
- Familiarity with Ceramic Matrix Composites (CMC) and Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (FRP) Composites
- Active Security Clearance
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in engineering or another technical discipline with five years of related experience
- At least two years of project management experience or experience leading scheduled tasks as a project lead or integrated program team lead; alternatively, one year with a master's degree
- Additional four years of experience may substitute for the degree
- Experience supporting customers in a project or technical lead role
- Excellent communication and presentation skills across multiple organizational levels
- Strong interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills
- Analytical, technical, strategic, and problem-solving skills
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and Microsoft Project
- Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance
- U.S. citizenship
- Four or more years of project management experience
- Experience working in technology or development organizations
- Experience with earned value management
- Aerospace or defense industry experience
- Program execution experience
- Familiarity with Ceramic Matrix Composites and Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Composites
- Active security 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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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.







