Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems (AS) sector has an opening for a Program Manager 2 to join our team of qualified, diverse individuals. This leadership opportunity is based in San Diego, CA.
This is a leadership position with daily executive interactions, and the selected candidate will display consistent impeccable judgment and embody Northrop Grumman leadership behaviors. The selected candidate should thrive in a fast-paced work environment with high expectations, significantly diverse assignments, and collaborative/team settings across all levels, including executive leadership.
Roles and Responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:
- Manage cost, schedule, and technical performance across multiple development projects.
- Develop, maintain, and monitor master plans, roadmaps, and milestone schedules; ensure adherence and take corrective actions as needed.
- Establish and manage budget baselines, including application of Earned Value Management (EVM) methodologies and tools when required.
- Identify program problems and implement solutions, including resource reallocation or contractual changes.
- Conduct thorough risk and opportunity management: identify, mitigate, track, and realize opportunities and mitigations.
- Lead issue resolution and decision-making to closure, balancing competing perspectives, constraints, stakeholder priorities, and strategic objectives.
- Act as primary customer contact for program activities; plan and lead program review sessions with customers and senior leadership to address cost, schedule, and technical performance.
- Build and sustain an effective, engaged, and integrated team in a complex, geographically dispersed, partner-rich environment.
- Direct and align subcontractors and suppliers to common program objectives and performance expectations.
- Identify, allocate, and manage program resources, including workforce planning and assignment of responsibilities.
- Identify, distribute, track, and facilitate completion of program requirements and deliverables.
- Support capture management and pursuit of new business: lead capture planning, long-term strategic planning, and development of proposals and business plans.
- Lead proposal preparation and support contract negotiations and contract change activities.
- Cultivate customer relationships to deepen engagement and develop further opportunities within the customer community.
- Deliver presentations to customers, executives, management, and other program stakeholders to communicate status, risks, and decisions.
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 (or Bachelor of Science in STEM and 9 years) of related experience as defined below, OR a Master’s degree and 8 years (or Master of Science in STEM and 7 years) of related experience as defined below:
- Related experience includes professional and/or military experience to include a background in project management, program management, engineering, capture efforts, and/or business management related functions.
- Two years of experience as a Control Account Manager (CAM).
- Must have an active U.S. Government Secret or higher clearance (with a background investigation completed within the last 6 years or currently enrolled into Continuous Evaluation).
- Must have the ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program (SAP) clearance within a reasonable period of time, as determined by the company.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Active U.S. Government Top Secret clearance.
- Current Control Account Manager (CAM) Certification.
- Current Special Access Program (SAP) access.
- Degree in Science Technology Engineering Mathematics (STEM).
- Prior roles executing on development programs.
- Experience supporting BOE writing and estimating as well as contract negotiations.
- Prior experience with leading Engineering Teams, specifically related to systems engineering, software engineering, integration and test engineering, cyber engineering.
- Program management experience on Agile programs applying incremental planning and delivering programs on schedule.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree and 10 years of related experience, or a Bachelor of Science in STEM and 9 years of related experience
- Alternatively, a Master's degree and 8 years of related experience, or a Master of Science in STEM and 7 years of related experience
- Related experience in project management, program management, engineering, capture efforts, and/or business management functions
- Two years of experience as a Control Account Manager
- Active U.S. Government Secret or higher clearance with a qualifying background investigation or enrollment in Continuous Evaluation
- Ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program clearance within a reasonable period
- Active U.S. Government Top Secret clearance
- Current Control Account Manager certification
- Current Special Access Program access
- STEM degree
- Experience executing development programs
- Experience supporting BOE writing, estimating, and contract negotiations
- Experience leading systems engineering, software engineering, integration and test engineering, or cyber engineering teams
- Program management experience on Agile programs using incremental planning
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.






