Principal Project Manager - PASS

Posted 3 Days Ago
Be an Early Applicant
San Diego, CA, USA
In-Office
114K-171K Annually
Senior level
Aerospace • Logistics • Security • Software • Cybersecurity
The Role
Leads aerospace and space-structure projects across proposal, design, procurement, manufacturing, testing, and delivery. Establishes milestones, monitors schedules, manages budgets and forecasts, resolves project issues, supports corrective actions and design-to-manufacturing transitions, and develops customer and supplier relationships. The role also supports change orders, new business proposals, strategic planning, and program status reporting while coordinating cross-functional teams.
Summary Generated by Built In
RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: No relocation assistance available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: No

CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret

TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the TimeDescription

At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have 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're making history.

The Northrop Grumman Propulsion, Aerospace Services and Structures (PASS) Operating Unit is a leading supplier of composite structures for optical benches and telescope structures, spacecraft structures, aircraft components, and ceramic matrix composites, as well as other air- and space-related applications. We are seeking a Principal Project Manager to support the Program Management team on-site at our San Diego, California facility.


Learn more about Spacecraft Components at our website: Mission Enabling Products | Northrop Grumman

 

Overview

Reporting to the Space Director of Programs in San Diego, the Project Manager will support key programs within the Space business portfolio, with particular emphasis on composite panels for solar arrays and spacecraft structures. This role requires experience in a manufacturing environment, strong leadership potential, and collaborative interpersonal skills, along with proven experience working in a dynamic, high-growth, fast-paced, and strategically important operating unit.


Responsibilities:

  • Serve as a liaison between program management and cross-functional teams during proposal, design, procurement, manufacturing, test, and delivery phases
  • Work with the Program Management team to establish milestones and monitor adherence to master plans and schedules
  • Anticipate and identify potential issues, including understanding impacts to adjacent areas
  • Review and manage budgets, schedules, critical path activities, Estimates at Completion (EACs), and workload forecasts; support preparation of status reports for customers and management
  • Assess project issues and develop resolutions to meet productivity, quality, and customer satisfaction objectives
  • Participate in root cause analysis and corrective actions, failure review boards and material review boards as needed
  • Support transition of designs into manufacturing by working with technical teams to identify opportunities to streamline manufacturing and assembly processes, achieve required delivery rates, and reduce costs
  • Support proposal development for change orders, new business opportunities, capture efforts, and strategic planning
  • Develop strong customer and supplier relationships to facilitate open communication regarding project requirements and supplier capabilities

 

Basic Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree in engineering or another technical discipline with 5 year related experience; OR 3 years with a Master's degree, an additional four years' experience may be considered in lieu of a degree
  • 2 years of project management experience, or experience leading task execution on schedule as a project lead or integrated program team lead
  • Experience supporting customers in a project or technical lead role
  • Ability to communicate effectively across multiple levels of the organization, including strong presentation skills
  • Strong interpersonal, written, verbal, and presentation skills
  • Proven analytical, technical, strategic, and problem-solving abilities
  • High proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and Microsoft Project
  • Ability to obtain and maintain a secret clearance
  • U.S. citizenship required

 Preferred Qualifications:

  • 2+ years of Program or Project Management experience or similar (e.g. Lead IPT (Integrated Product Team), or Lead NPT (New Product Team) or Systems Engineering lead
  • Experience with earned value management
  • Aerospace or defense industry experience
  • Experience with Composite Manufacturing and testing
  • Program execution experience
  • Gated design development experience (PDR, CDR)
  • Active US Government security clearance

Primary Level Salary Range: $114,000.00 - $171,000.00

The above salary range represents a general guideline; however, Northrop Grumman considers a number of factors when determining base salary offers such as the scope and responsibilities of the position and the candidate's experience, education, skills and current market conditions.

Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. Annual bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results. Employees in Vice President or Director positions may be eligible for Long Term Incentives. In addition, Northrop Grumman provides a variety of benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, Company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business.

The application period for the job is estimated to be 20 days from the job posting date. However, this timeline may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates.

Northrop Grumman is an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. For our complete EEO and pay transparency statement, please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.

Skills Required

  • Bachelor’s degree in engineering or another technical discipline with 5 years of related experience, or a master’s degree with 3 years of related experience; additional experience may substitute for a degree
  • At least 2 years of project management experience or experience leading task execution as a project lead or integrated program team lead
  • Experience supporting customers in a project or technical lead role
  • Effective communication across multiple organizational levels, including presentation skills
  • Strong interpersonal, written, verbal, analytical, technical, strategic, and problem-solving skills
  • High proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and Microsoft Project
  • Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance
  • U.S. citizenship
  • At least 2 years of program or project management experience or similar leadership experience
  • Experience with earned value management
  • Aerospace or defense industry experience
  • Composite manufacturing and testing experience
  • Program execution experience
  • Gated design development experience, including PDR and CDR
  • Active U.S. Government 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.

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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

Am I A Good Fit?
beta
Get Personalized Job Insights.
Our AI-powered fit analysis compares your resume with a job listing so you know if your skills & experience align.

The Company
HQ: Charlotte, North Carolina
85,636 Employees

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.

Similar Jobs

Zscaler Logo Zscaler

Sales Engineer

Cloud • Information Technology • Security • Software • Cybersecurity
Easy Apply
Remote or Hybrid
USA
8697 Employees
100K-150K Annually

Zscaler Logo Zscaler

Project Manager

Cloud • Information Technology • Security • Software • Cybersecurity
Easy Apply
Remote or Hybrid
USA
8697 Employees
144K-205K Annually

Outset AI Logo Outset AI

Global Head of Partnerships

Artificial Intelligence • Software
Hybrid
San Francisco, CA, USA
30 Employees
200K-250K Annually

Xero Logo Xero

Senior Back-end Engineer

Cloud • Fintech • Information Technology • Machine Learning • Software
Hybrid
San Mateo, CA, USA
4500 Employees
209K-251K Annually

Similar Companies Hiring

Ford Energy Thumbnail
Automotive • Software • Energy • Utilities • Manufacturing • Renewable Energy
Glendale, Kentucky
55 Employees
Revel Thumbnail
Aerospace • Hardware • Robotics • Software
Marina Del Rey, California
70 Employees
Blee Thumbnail
Artificial Intelligence • Marketing Tech • Software
New York, New York
30 Employees

Sign up now Access later

Create Free Account

Please log in or sign up to report this job.

Create Free Account