Sentinel PLM Systems Engineering Manager 3- 20054

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes

CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret

TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the TimeDescription

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. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work — and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible. Our employees are not only part of history, they're making history.

Northrop Grumman Defense Systems is currently seeking a Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) Systems Engineering Manager 3 to join our Engineering team within the Strategic Deterrent Systems (SDS) Division in Manhattan Beach, CA or Roy, UT. You will own the overall vision, strategy, and execution of digital thread capabilities that connect engineering, manufacturing, test, and sustainment data across the Sentinel Portfolio. This role may offer a competitive relocation assistance package.

What You’ll Get To Do:

Provide technical leadership and decision-making over all engineering disciplines. The PLM Program Manager owns the end-to-end technical baseline, multi-year roadmap, and project portfolio for the PLM Design and Production Integration team. This role serves as the primary technical authority ensuring seamless integration across CPLM, SAP, and SmartMES, while driving the digital thread strategy that supports over 2,000 engineers and production users.

Essential Functions:

1. Technical Baseline Management

• Own and maintain the authoritative technical baseline for all PLM integrations (CPLM / SAP / SmartMES).

• Ensure configuration control, data integrity, and traceability across design, production, and enterprise systems.

• Identify and mitigate technical debt, integration defects, and system performance issues.

• Establish and enforce governance standards for system architecture, interfaces, and data models.

2. Roadmap & Portfolio Leadership

• Develop and maintain the 3-year PLM digital thread roadmap aligned with SDS program priorities, DD&I funding cycles, and 1ERP strategy.

• Build and prioritize the annual portfolio of initiatives, including new integrations, automation opportunities, and capability pilots.

• Translate strategic business outcomes (Digital Thread Integrity, Productivity, Program Execution Speed) into executable technical requirements and deliverables.

• Track portfolio health: on-time/on-budget delivery, business value realization, and risk management.

3. Technical Strategy & Future Capability Development

• Act as the Capability Incubator – evaluate emerging PLM technologies, automation tools, and integration patterns.

• Lead architecture decisions for next-generation digital thread capabilities (e.g., real-time data flow, predictive analytics, reduced manual steps).

• Partner with CPLM Product Team, SAP/SmartMES Product Team, and Business Team to align technical execution with focus areas (design-to-release cycle time, manufacturing data accuracy, business case discipline).

4. Cross-Functional Execution & Program Advocacy

• Serve as the Voice of SDS/Programs to DD&I and 1ERP on all technical matters.

• Collaborate with engineering, manufacturing, and program teams to drive user-centric solutions that reduce friction and accelerate release-to-production.

• Provide technical leadership in funding reviews, requirement definition, testing rigor, and post-deployment value tracking.

5. Operational Excellence & Governance

• Ensure system uptime, audit compliance, and controlled deployment success.

• Drive disciplined delivery practices: clear requirements, measurable business cases, and reduced rework.

• Mentor technical team members and foster a high-performing digital ecosystem culture.

Position Benefits

As a full-time employee of Northrop Grumman, you are eligible for our robust benefits package including:

Medical, Dental & Vision coverage

401(k)

Educational Assistance

Life Insurance

Employee Assistance Programs & Work/Life Solutions

Paid Time Off

Health & Wellness Resources

Employee Discounts

This position’s standard work schedule is a 9/80. The 9/80 schedule allows employees who work a nine-hour day Monday through Thursday to take every other Friday off. This role may offer a competitive relocation assistance package.

You’ll Bring These Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s Degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics) discipline with 8 years of relevant experience; 6 years with a Masters

• Must be a US Citizen with an active U.S. Government Secret Clearance with an investigation date within the last 6 years.

• Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Top Secret Clearance and Special Program Access within a period of time that meets current business needs.

• Experience leading or implementing PLM, or integrated toolchain solutions on complex systems or programs.

• Experience working across multiple engineering disciplines and program phases, integrating tools and processes to support design, integration, test, and sustainment.

These Qualifications Would be Nice to Have:

• 8+ years of experience in PLM, ERP, or MES integration environments (CPLM, SAP, and/or SmartMES strongly preferred).

• Proven success leading technical roadmaps and portfolios in complex engineering/manufacturing organizations.

• Minimum of 3 years in a formal management or technical leadership position (e.g., functional manager, IPT lead, product owner, program manager).

• Deep expertise in digital thread architecture, data integration, configuration management, and system-to-system interfaces.

• Strong track record of delivering measurable business outcomes (cycle time reduction, defect reduction, user productivity).

• Experience working with program stakeholders, funding processes, and cross-functional teams (engineering + manufacturing + IT).

• Background in aerospace, defense, or highly regulated product development programs.

• Familiarity with DD&I/1ERP environments or similar enterprise transformation initiatives.

• Demonstrated ability to translate strategy into executable technical plans.

Primary Level Salary Range: $166,700.00 - $289,600.00

The 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.