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. We are seeking a Manager Programs 2 to lead a complex, classified advanced technology program. This position will be located on-site at our Space Park Campus in Redondo Beach, CA.
The selected individual will serve as the primary program interface to internal and external stakeholders, driving execution across cost, schedule, and technical performance while maturing technology solutions for critical missions.
Roles and Responsibilities
- Serve as program leader for a classified, advanced technology program delivering operational flight hardware on an aggressive timeline.
- Lead program planning and execution, including baseline development, integrated master schedule (IMS), staffing plans, and risk/opportunity management.
- Own cost, schedule, and technical performance, ensuring programs meet contractual commitments and internal targets.
- Integrate cross‑functional teams (engineering, operations, supply chain, business management, security) to deliver on program objectives.
- Interface with U.S. Government customers and prime contractors to define scope, negotiate changes, present status, and resolve issues.
- Apply disciplined program management processes, including earned value management (EVM), risk and opportunity management, configuration control, and change management.
- Prepare and deliver executive-level briefings on program health, major risks, and strategic opportunities.
- Support new business activities, including capture strategy and proposal leadership for potential follow-on activities.
- Foster a strong safety, security, and compliance culture, ensuring adherence to all classified program requirements and company standards.
- Coach, develop, and performance-manage a small team of program and/or project managers and integrated product team (IPT) leads.
Basic Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering, physics, or a related STEM field and 8+ years of relevant experience; 6+ years with a Master’s degree.
- 2+ years of technical leadership experience on R&D programs, technology demonstrators, or advanced concept efforts in aerospace, defense, or related high‑technology industries.
- Demonstrated experience leading cross-functional teams and managing cost, schedule, and technical performance.
- Experience applying Earned Value Management (EVM) or equivalent cost/schedule performance management
- Experience with DoW or Intelligence Community customers and associated program execution expectations.
- Strong communication and briefing skills, with experience presenting to senior leadership and/or customers.
- Active U.S. Government Top Secret clearance AND SCI at time of application and the ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Programs (SAPs); U.S. citizenship is required.
Preferred Qualifications
- Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering
- Current SCI Access
- Current CAP/SAP Access
- Experience leading relevant technology and/or rapid development programs through hardware deliveries.
- Experience leading classified programs or Special Access Programs (SAPs), including interface with security and export/technology control stakeholders.
- Prior people-leadership experience, including performance management, talent development, and building high-performing teams.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in engineering, physics, or a related STEM field and 8+ years of relevant experience
- Master's degree may substitute for experience, requiring 6+ years of relevant experience
- 2+ years of technical leadership experience on R&D programs, technology demonstrators, or advanced concept efforts in aerospace, defense, or related high-technology industries
- Experience leading cross-functional teams and managing cost, schedule, and technical performance
- Experience applying Earned Value Management (EVM) or equivalent cost and schedule performance management
- Experience with Department of War or Intelligence Community customers and associated program execution expectations
- Strong communication and briefing skills, including presentations to senior leadership or customers
- Active U.S. Government Top Secret clearance and SCI at the time of application
- Ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program (SAP) access
- U.S. citizenship
- Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering
- Current SCI access
- Current CAP/SAP access
- Experience leading relevant technology or rapid development programs through hardware deliveries
- Experience leading classified programs or Special Access Programs, including coordination with security and export or technology control stakeholders
- People-leadership experience, including performance management, talent development, and building high-performing teams
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.







