Northrop Grumman’s Aeronautics Systems sector is seeking a Program Director 1 (Foreign Military Sales - France) to join our team of qualified, diverse individuals within our Global Surveillance organization. This leadership role will be located onsite in Melbourne, Florida.
About the Role:
As the Program Director 1 (Foreign Military Sales - France), you will serve as the strategic architect supporting the full product lifecycle of the French Navy’s E-2C and E-2D fleet of aircraft. Operating at the heart of our Global Surveillance organization in Melbourne, Florida, you will lead a high-visibility portfolio that demands a unique blend of engineering development, production synchronization, global supply chain orchestration, and executive-level partnership with NAVAIR and PMA-231. This is a "cradle-to-grave" leadership opportunity where your ability to manage complex $200M+ contract portfolios and mentor a multi-functional team of managers will directly impact the operational success of the French Navy’s fleet operators worldwide. If you are a visionary leader who thrives on leading teams to solve systemic engineering challenges and pioneer long-term design integration and sustainment strategies, we invite you to help us define the future of aeronautics.
Key Responsibilities:
Strategic Stewardship: Serves as the primary executive interface to the Acquisition Customers (NAVAIR, PMA-231), French Ministry of Armed Forces (FMoAF) and the French Navy.
Development and Integration: Leads all disciplines in the design, development, and integration of innovative technologies in support of the customer’s need.
Production & Sustainment Integration: Orchestrates the seamless transition and synchronization between aircraft production lines and post-delivery sustainment, ensuring retrofits and spares keep pace with French demand.
Global Supply Chain: Provides strategic oversight of a global supply chain network, directing the performance of Tier 1 and Tier 2 to design, develop and integrate technical solutions.
Financial & Contractual Governance: Directs the financial health of the $1B+ portfolio; leads the development of complex acquisition strategies, multi-year proposals, and contract negotiations that balance profitability with customer value.
Operational Performance: Accountable for the product quality, cost, schedule, and technical performance across the French portfolio, ensuring all contracted activities meet the rigorous standards of the aerospace industry, DoD and French customer.
Workforce & Cultural Leadership: Directs a large, multi-functional organization of managers and individual contributors; fosters a culture of technical excellence and rapid problem-solving for the FMS customer.
Risk & Opportunity Management: Identifies systemic risks within the product lifecycle pipeline and implements high-level mitigation strategies to prevent operational gaps for the customer.
Our Leaders at Northrop Grumman live our values daily and encourage our teams to do the same. We do the right thing: upholding the highest ethical standards and facilitating a safe and respectful environment that attracts, retains, and inspires a diverse and engaged team. We do what we promise: holding yourself and others accountable to meet predictable and balanced results. We commit to shared success: operating as OneNG and removing barriers for our teams. Finally, We pioneer: setting a vision that shapes the future and inspires others.
Basic Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree and 10 years of related professional/military experience as defined below OR a Master’s degree and 8 years of related professional/military experience as defined below, OR a PhD and 6 years of related professional/military experience as defined below
Related experience must be in program management within the aerospace/defense industry, with specific exposure to large-scale engineering development environments and global supply chain operations
At least 3 years of experience leading programs involving U.S. or International acquisition customers (e.g., NAVAIR, DCMA, or foreign equivalents) valued at $100M or higher
An active U.S Government secret clearance, with the ability to obtain and maintain top secret or higher and any special program accesses needed
Preferred Qualifications
Experience developing and executing acquisition strategies and negotiating high-value contracts with Department of Defense or International customers
Proven track record of managing complex, global supply chain networks to mitigate risk and ensure long-term sustainment of hardware and spares
Demonstrated success Earned Value Management Framework, optimizing performance through strategic coordination to maximize profitability.
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Primary Level Salary Range: $193,800.00 - $290,600.00The 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 and 10 years related professional/military experience OR Master's degree and 8 years OR PhD and 6 years.
- Program management experience within the aerospace/defense industry, with exposure to large-scale engineering development environments and global supply chain operations.
- At least 3 years leading programs involving U.S. or international acquisition customers (e.g., NAVAIR, DCMA, or foreign equivalents) valued at $100M or higher.
- Active U.S. Government Secret clearance, with the ability to obtain and maintain Top Secret or higher and any special program accesses needed.
- Experience developing and executing acquisition strategies and negotiating high-value contracts with Department of Defense or international customers.
- Proven track record managing complex, global supply chain networks to mitigate risk and ensure long-term sustainment of hardware and spares.
- Demonstrated success with Earned Value Management Framework to optimize program performance and profitability.
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.
