Northrop Grumman’s Space Systems sector is looking for a Program Manager 2 to support the Deployables Operating Unit on-site in Goleta, CA.
The Deployables OU is a leading designer, producer, and supplier of spacecraft components that power and enable satellites of all classes. Products include spacecraft solar arrays, deployable structural systems and mechanisms, and antenna reflectors. Our products are used on virtually every spacecraft and satellite, and our customers include NASA, US government, and commercial satellite suppliers.
Overview
The primary objective will be the delivery of all contractual requirements on cost and on schedule, while achieving all technical requirements and creating customer intimacy to support value creation strategies and actions. The individual will lead a cross-functional organization aligned to common program performance goals. The Program Manager will be responsible for leading all phases of the program life cycle from inception (proposal development) through startup, execution, and completion (contract closeout).
Role and Responsibilities:
- Cultivate customer relationships and intimacy to develop further opportunities within the customer community
- Develop new business opportunities through long term strategic planning, capture planning, and development of proposals and business plans
- Establish a program organization that effectively addresses customer requirements and incorporates the necessary internal and external sub-organizations
- Lead and direct cross-functional Integrated Program Teams (IPT) to meet program cost, schedule and technical performance objectives
- Measure and report program performance
- Deliver presentations to customers, executive management and other program stakeholders
- Participate in the negotiation of contracts, contract changes, specifications, operating budgets, schedule milestones, and key terms and conditions.
- Establish design concepts, criteria, and engineering efforts for product research, development, integration and test.
- Create, review and finalize the program Statement of Work
- Identify, distribute, track, and complete program requirements
- Establish and manage the program and subordinate baselines
- Develop and adhere to budget baselines utilizing Earned Value Management (EVM) or similar cost & schedule control methodologies and tools
- Identify, allocate and manage program resources, to include workforce planning
- Manage Government/customer supplied property or information (GFE, CFE, etc.)
- Manage suppliers to meet program objectives.
- Adhere to all internal processes, policies, and applicable industry standards
- Ensure the program team understands and adheres to contract scope, and manage change through control board activities
- Develop and adhere to master plans and schedules
- Conduct thorough risk and opportunity management practices to include identification, mitigation and realization
Basic Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s Degree and 8 years’ experience supporting customers in a project/technical lead role; OR 6 years’ experience with a Master’s degree
- Minimum 4+ years of experience in program/project management
- Experience managing an EAC on programs greater than $1M in value, Cost Account Manager for a similar size effort also applicable
- Proven analytical, technical, strategic and problem-solving skills
- Strong organization skills in both independent and team environments
- Experience in design for manufacturing and transition to production programs
- Gated design development experience (PDR, CDR)
- Strong interpersonal, communication and presentation skills
- Ability to adjust communication to audience (from manufacturing technician up through customer and executive management)
- US Citizenship is required
Preferred Qualifications:
- Familiarity with Space Deployable Structures and Mechanisms
- Experience in both Engineering and Project Management, or IPT roles
- Manufacturing or Mechanical Engineering experience
- Proposal Management and/or Business Development experience
- Cost Account Manager experience
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree and 8 years of experience supporting customers in a project or technical lead role
- Alternatively, 6 years of experience with a master's degree
- At least 4 years of program or project management experience
- Experience managing an Estimate at Completion on programs valued over $1 million, or comparable Cost Account Manager experience
- Analytical, technical, strategic, and problem-solving skills
- Strong organizational skills in independent and team environments
- Experience with design for manufacturing and transition-to-production programs
- Gated design development experience, including PDR and CDR
- Strong interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills
- Ability to communicate effectively with manufacturing technicians, customers, and executive management
- U.S. citizenship
- Familiarity with space deployable structures and mechanisms
- Experience in engineering and project management or Integrated Program Team roles
- Manufacturing or mechanical engineering experience
- Proposal management or business development experience
- Cost Account Manager experience
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.





