Northrop Grumman Mission Systems Long Range Air Defense & Domestic Systems (LRAD & DS) Operating Unit specializes in the development, manufacture, assembly, testing, and sustainment of international Air Surveillance Sensors and Systems, Bio-detection systems, and Air Traffic Control capabilities. We are seeking a Program Management Director to join our team of qualified and diverse individuals. This position will be located in Elkridge, MD.
The Program Management Director is responsible for the North Africa Programs which includes the delivery and sustainment of numerous long-range sensors, including the TPS-78 ADCAP and TPS-703 Maritime surveillance radars, and the air surveillance command & control capability.
The position has P&L responsibility for management, strategy, and execution including establishing a strong trajectory for growing the business and a solid focus on program performance. This position reports to the LRAD&DS OU Senior Director. In addition, this position has significant senior leadership contact and will require a candidate with strong leadership and decision-making skills with the ability to perform in an environment of ambiguity and continuous change. The position must role model Northrop leadership behaviors. The incumbent must have strong communication, executive presence, and cross-cultural skills to be able to effectively interact with a geographically disbursed senior leadership team.
Responsibilities include:
- Capture and execution of international Direct Commercial Sales (DCS) contracts
- Lead and direct cross-functional teams to meet program cost/EVMS, schedule and technical performance objectives in a matrix organizational environment
- Establish milestones and monitor adherence to master plans and schedules, risk/opportunity management, identifies program problems and obtains solutions
- Identify, allocate and manage program resources, including workforce planning
- Create a positive employee experience for the employees assigned to the operating unit by focusing on retention initiatives and supporting professional development
- Deliver presentations to customers, executive management and other program stakeholders
- Cultivate customer relationships and intimacy to develop further opportunities within the customer community
- Develop business area strategies and new business opportunities that are consistent with Division/ Sector priorities to drive consistent growth for the operating area
- Engage Commission Sales Representatives (CSRs) to assist in the marketing and sale of products to foreign governments, where applicable
- Develop relationships with high-ranking military officials and local Embassy officials in pursuit of new business opportunities
- Develop relationships with senior leaders in partner industries (suppliers, subcontracting) including international companies
- Lead the negotiation of contracts, contract changes, specifications, operating budgets, schedule milestones, and key terms and conditions.
- Proactively identify trends, risks, and opportunities within the organization and develop solutions in partnership with peers, division and matrix leadership, and regional/division HR business leaders
- Using data and analytics, develop solutions to current business issues as well as proactively engage in risk mitigation.
- Analyze and concisely present information to the management team to enable good business decisions
Basic Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering and/or business administration with 12 or more years of program management or related experience; OR Master's degree with 10 or more years of program management or related experience. Minimum 5 years of international program management with DCS contracts
- Expertise negotiating contracts with international customers including at least one MENA country
- Experience with US Export Regulations /licensing processes and their applicability to Foreign DCS contracts
- Expertise in program execution to lead the performance of tasks on schedule and at cost on Development and Production programs
- International Capture and Proposal management experience
- Proven success in leading and influencing individuals and teams in a matrix environment
- Proven success with managing international suppliers
- Demonstrated ability to foster existing customer relationships and develop new customer relationships
- Strong communication and executive presence skills to effectively interact with customer and senior leadership
- Must be a US citizen with an active US Government Secret Clearance
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience with International Consultants and CSRs
- Experience developing and implementing offset/localization projects with international companies
- Experience in other parts of the world such as South America
- Familiarity with US Foreign Military Sales (FMS) contracts
- 8 or more years leading production programs, development programs or technical teams (engineering management, functional management)
- Demonstrated knowledge of strategic planning and new business development
- Demonstrated knowledge of radar systems
- Understanding of cultural sensitivities in MENA region
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in engineering and/or business administration with 12 or more years of program management or related experience
- Master's degree with 10 or more years of program management or related experience as an alternative to the bachelor's pathway
- Minimum 5 years of international program management experience with Direct Commercial Sales contracts
- Experience negotiating contracts with international customers, including at least one MENA country
- Experience with US Export Regulations and licensing processes applicable to foreign Direct Commercial Sales contracts
- Expertise in program execution for development and production programs, delivering tasks on schedule and at cost
- International capture and proposal management experience
- Demonstrated success leading and influencing individuals and teams in a matrix environment
- Demonstrated success managing international suppliers
- Demonstrated ability to foster existing customer relationships and develop new customer relationships
- Strong communication and executive presence skills for customer and senior leadership interaction
- US citizenship
- Active US Government Secret clearance
- Experience with international consultants and Commission Sales Representatives
- Experience developing and implementing offset or localization projects with international companies
- Experience in regions such as South America
- Familiarity with US Foreign Military Sales contracts
- Eight or more years leading production programs, development programs, or technical teams
- Knowledge of strategic planning and new business development
- Knowledge of radar systems
- Understanding of cultural sensitivities in the MENA region
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
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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.









