Northrop Grumman’s Space Sector is looking for a Program Manager Level 2 to support the Space Superiority Division, ESPAStar Product Line Organization NCTA and Proposal Manager. This position requires a broad understanding of U.S. Government aerospace products/systems and/or missions/operations as well as experience in leading project teams. The ideal candidate will possess knowledge and experience in at least one of the following: Spacecraft Design, Spacecraft/Component Integration and Test (I&T), Payload design and I&T, Launch Vehicle Integration, Space Mission Operations, or Space Ground Systems.
This role serves as the ESPAStar Product Line focal point for planning and executing NCTA investments across the portfolio while providing program management leadership for key technology maturation and demonstration efforts. A key aspect of this influential position will involve collaborating with senior engineering teams to identify, prioritize, and guide internal research and development efforts to successfully transition advanced technologies into solutions ready for customer funded research and development efforts or direct implementation on contracts.
The successful candidate will have demonstrated experience leading diverse teams, communicating effectively with technical and non-technical stakeholders, and operating successfully within both classified and unclassified environments.
Basic Qualifications:
Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, Computer Science, Business, or related discipline with 8 years of supporting U.S. Government contracts and customers, or Masters Degree with 6 years of experience supporting U.S. Government contracts and customers.
Must possess an active/current Top-Secret/SCI at time of application.
5+ years of relevant experience in engineering, project management, or program management supporting complex aerospace or space systems.
Experience managing technical projects or investment portfolios, including planning, budgeting, and tracking execution against cost, schedule, and technical objectives.
Solid technical background with the ability to understand spacecraft/space system architectures, payloads, and subsystem-level trade studies (or similar complex technical domains).
Demonstrated ability to work in a matrixed organization, build relationships, and influence without direct authority.
Demonstrated experience leading cross functional teams (engineering, operations, business management, supply chain, etc.) to deliver on project or program objectives.
Experience applying project performance management tools and methods (e.g., schedules, metrics dashboards, EVMS concepts, or equivalent) to monitor health of projects.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including experience presenting status, risks, and recommendations to leadership and technical teams.
Preferred Qualifications:
Proven ability to challenge existing processes and documentation practices constructively, and to drive consensus toward more efficient, modern ways of working.
Demonstrated experience identifying and implementing process improvements or affordability initiatives (e.g., cycle time reductions, waste elimination, standardization of templates/workflows).
Experience with agile or incremental development approaches (e.g., iterative design reviews, backlog management, sprints, or Kanban) in a hardware or mixed hardware/software environment.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, Computer Science, Business, or related discipline with 8 years supporting U.S. Government contracts and customers, or Master's degree with 6 years
- Active/current Top-Secret/SCI clearance at time of application
- 5+ years relevant experience in engineering, project management, or program management supporting complex aerospace or space systems
- Experience managing technical projects or investment portfolios including planning, budgeting, and tracking execution against cost, schedule, and technical objectives
- Solid technical background with ability to understand spacecraft/space system architectures, payloads, and subsystem-level trade studies
- Demonstrated ability to work in a matrixed organization and influence without direct authority
- Demonstrated experience leading cross-functional teams (engineering, operations, business management, supply chain) to deliver program objectives
- Experience applying project performance management tools and methods (schedules, metrics dashboards, EVMS concepts) to monitor project health
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, including presenting status, risks, and recommendations to leadership and technical teams
- U.S. Citizenship (required for positions with a government clearance)
- Proven ability to challenge and improve processes and documentation practices constructively
- Experience identifying and implementing process improvements or affordability initiatives (cycle time reductions, waste elimination, standardization)
- Experience with agile or incremental development approaches (iterative design reviews, backlog management, sprints, or Kanban) in hardware or mixed hardware/software environments
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.
