Northrop Grumman’s Space Systems sector is looking for a Senior Program Manager (Program Manager 3) to support the Advanced Responsive Capabilities Operating Unit segment of the Mission, Capabilities, and Operations Business Unit in the Space Superiority Division, based in our Dulles, VA facility. A successful candidate works well in a fast-paced environment and is motivated to support the customer’s most critical missions. This new production program will deliver first-of-its-kind operational capability, and the PM will be critical to establish this new product line.
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.
Program Managers are responsible for leading all phases of the program life cycle from inception (proposal development) through startup, execution, and completion (contract closeout). Primary responsibilities are the management of cost, schedule, and technical performance of company programs or subsystems and include, but are not limited to:
- Leading and directing cross-functional Integrated Program Teams (IPT) to meet program cost, schedule and technical performance objectives
- Measuring and reporting 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
- Establishing design concepts, criteria, and engineering efforts for product research, development, integration and test
- Creation, review and finalization of the program Statement of Work
- 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
- Identifying, allocating and managing program resources, including workforce planning
- Managing Government/customer supplied property or information (GFE, CFE, etc.)
- Managing suppliers to meet program objectives
- Adherence to all internal processes, policies, and applicable industry standards
- Ensuring program team understands and adheres to contract scope, and manages change through control board activities
- Development and adherence to master plans and schedules
- Conducting thorough risk & opportunity management practices including identification, mitigation and realization
- Cultivating customer relationships and intimacy to develop further opportunities within the customer community
- Developing new business opportunities through long term strategic planning, capture planning, and development of proposals and business plans
- Establishing a program organization that effectively addresses customer requirements and incorporates the necessary internal and external sub-organizations
Basic Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Sciences, Mathematics or another Technical Discipline and 9 years of experience, or Master’s and 7 years’ experience supporting U.S. Government contracts and customers and/or project management in other industries
- 3+ years of demonstrated experience managing program performance in a P&L role using key performance indicators (KPIs), program metrics, cost, schedule, and technical performance measures
- Experience leading the performance of tasks on schedule, at cost and achieving all requirements as either project lead, integrated program team or cost account manager
- Active Top Secret Clearance with SCI Clearance and the ability to qualify for access to Special Access Programs (SAP) at time of application
- Experience with Planning, Scheduling & Earned Value Management
- Demonstrated success leading teams /organizations to achieve a common goal
- Experience identifying, orchestrating, coordinating and controlling the management activities and processes that integrate program interdependencies throughout their life cycle to achieve successful program completion
- Ability to travel up to 25%
Preferred Qualifications:
- Active Top Secret with SCI Clearance and SAP Access
- Experience in the space industry
- Experience managing suppliers
- Experience in production of small satellites
- Experience managing various contract types to include CPFF, CPIF, FFP
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in engineering, sciences, mathematics, or another technical discipline and 9 years of experience, or a master's degree and 7 years of experience supporting U.S. Government contracts, customers, or project management in other industries.
- At least 3 years of demonstrated program performance management experience in a P&L role using KPIs, program metrics, cost, schedule, and technical performance measures.
- Experience leading tasks to completion on schedule, at cost, and in compliance with requirements as a project lead, Integrated Program Team lead, or cost account manager.
- Active Top Secret clearance with SCI clearance and ability to qualify for Special Access Program access at the time of application.
- Experience with planning, scheduling, and Earned Value Management.
- Demonstrated success leading teams or organizations toward a common goal.
- Experience identifying, coordinating, orchestrating, and controlling processes that integrate program interdependencies throughout the lifecycle.
- Ability to travel up to 25% of the time.
- Active Top Secret clearance with SCI clearance and SAP access.
- Experience in the space industry.
- Experience managing suppliers.
- Experience producing small satellites.
- Experience managing CPFF, CPIF, and FFP contract types.
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
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