Please note that this opportunity is contingent on program funding. Start dates are determined after funding confirmation.
Northrop Grumman’s Aeronautics Systems – Research & Advanced Design (R&AD) transforms breakthrough ideas into mission-ready capabilities through intelligent anticipation. We’re the front-end design engine, defining what comes next. From developing cutting-edge next-generation future aircraft to trailblazing collaborative autonomous platforms, we push the boundaries of technology and forge industry-leading partnerships that set new standards for what’s possible.
Our team owns the full lifecycle of advanced concept creation, from visionary early-stage designs and rapid prototyping to high-impact demonstrations and solving the toughest technical challenges in survivability, autonomy, and battle management. We seek curious, adaptable people who thrive on turning intuition into breakthrough solutions. If you’re driven to invent the future, build what’s next, and shape the landscape of national security, this is where you belong.
R&AD is currently seeking a Program Manager 3 to serve as the Vehicle Management Systems (VMS) Hardware Manager with oversight over multiple VMS suppliers. This leadership opportunity is in Melbourne, Florida.
Due to the nature of the role, an on-site presence is required and cannot be performed remotely. The position will follow our 9/80 schedule and allows employees who work a nine-hour day Monday through Thursday to take every other Friday off.
Primary responsibilities will include but are not limited to:
- Managing suppliers to meet program objectives
- Enforcement of subcontractor execution of a Statement of Work (SOW) and support of contract modifications as necessary
- Maintaining close collaborative relationships with the customer, suppliers, engineering, operations, and all relevant stakeholders
- Ensuring program team, including suppliers, understands and adheres to contract scope, and manages change through control board activities
- Measuring and reporting supplier performance as it relates to program performance
- Delivering presentations to customers, executive management and other program stakeholders
- Participating in the negotiation of contracts, contract changes, specifications, operating budgets, schedule milestones, and key terms and conditions
- Identification, distribution, tracking, and completion of program requirements
- Establishment and management of the program and subordinate baselines
- Development and adherence to budget baselines utilizing Earned Value Management (EVM) or similar cost & schedule control methodologies and tools
- Adherence to all internal processes, policies, and applicable industry standards
- Development and adherence to master plans and schedules
- Resolves issues in accordance with business objectives, strategies, legal requirements, regulations, contract terms, and company policies
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
- Demonstrated experience serving in a formal leadership role such as a Project Lead, Integrated Team Lead, Supplier Management Team Lead, or Cost Account Manager
- Demonstrated experience working with Program Management principles: managing projects, scheduling, budget management, etc.
- Demonstrated experience managing or interfacing with suppliers
- The ability to travel domestically 10% of the time
- Must have an active US Government Secret clearance (with a background investigation within the past 6 years or enrolled into Continuous Evaluation)
- Must have the ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program (SAP) clearance, within a reasonable amount of time as determined by business needs
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience with vehicle management systems, guidance and control systems, flight & safety critical software, and/or systems engineering and architecture design
- Experience managing multiple suppliers through contract award, design, and execution phases
- Experience managing program/projects of > $50 Million / year with P&L responsibilities
- Experience leading cross-functional teams of 5 or more individuals to achieve defined project or organizational objectives, including responsibility for task coordination, performance tracking, and issue resolution.
- Experience using program management tools such as Earned Value Management System (EVMS), Integrated Master Plan (IMP), Integrated Master Schedule (IMS), Risk and Opportunity Management
- Experience utilizing Atlassian tool suite (JIRA/Confluence) for management of agile-based development activity
- Experience producing clear, professional written communications (eg. Reports, briefings, status updates) and delivering verbal presentations to stakeholders at multiple organizational levels, including senior leadership and individual contributors
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Primary Level Salary Range: $166,700.00 - $250,100.00The above salary range represents a general guideline; however, Northrop Grumman considers a number of factors when determining base salary offers such as the scope and responsibilities of the position and the candidate's experience, education, skills and current market conditions.Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. Annual bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results. Employees in Vice President or Director positions may be eligible for Long Term Incentives. In addition, Northrop Grumman provides a variety of benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, Company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business.The application period for the job is estimated to be 20 days from the job posting date. However, this timeline may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates.Northrop Grumman is an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. For our complete EEO and pay transparency statement, please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree and 10 years of related experience, or Bachelor of Science in STEM and 9 years of related experience
- Master's degree and 8 years of related experience, or Master of Science in STEM and 7 years of related experience
- Formal leadership experience as a Project Lead, Integrated Team Lead, Supplier Management Team Lead, Cost Account Manager, or similar
- Experience applying program management principles, including project management, scheduling, and budget management
- Experience managing or interfacing with suppliers
- Ability to travel domestically 10% of the time
- Active United States Government Secret clearance with a qualifying background investigation or enrollment in Continuous Evaluation
- Ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program clearance
- Experience with vehicle management systems, guidance and control systems, flight and safety critical software, or systems engineering and architecture design
- Experience managing multiple suppliers through contract award, design, and execution phases
- Experience managing programs or projects exceeding $50 million annually with P&L responsibilities
- Experience leading cross-functional teams of five or more individuals
- Experience with EVMS, IMP, IMS, and risk and opportunity management
- Experience using Atlassian JIRA and Confluence for agile-based development activity
- Experience producing professional written communications and presenting to stakeholders at multiple organizational levels
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.








