Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems has an opening for Mission Systems Integrated Product Team (MS IPT) Development Lead to join the team of qualified individuals on our Avionic Integration Organization. This leadership role is located onsite in Rancho Bernardo, California.
In this role, the selected candidate will be responsible for leading a diverse engineering design team of approximately 45-50 Comms, Networks, Payloads, and Software engineers to provide imaginative, technical solutions to a wide range of difficult problems across the Program.
The primary responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:
Responsible for team performance of all MS IPT scope and activities within the Development portfolio through all project phases (e.g., proposals, planning, execution, & closeout)
Provide technical guidance, leadership and mentorship to multi-disciplinary team of approximately 50 people to ensure team success across all levels
Serve as MS IPT focal to Program Management team for Technical, Cost, and Schedule Reporting
Provide Control Account Manager (CAM) oversight for MS IPT Development team, to include labor and material (subcontractor labor) control accounts, and support monthly Business Rhythm by ensuring accurate EAC forecasting
Manage staffing in collaboration with the IPT leadership team to ensure sufficient staff levels and appropriate skillsets are available to execute the Development statement of work
Perform risk and opportunity management, to include developing and tracking mitigation plans
Coordinate with Supplier Management Teams to manage supplier performance
Collaborate with Chief Engineer, IPTs, Suppliers, Customer and Program Management to define and execute design vision for future Development capabilities
Drive first-time quality across Development design and promote culture of technical rigor within Engineering team
Assist in capture of future development work through bid of future proposed efforts
Ensure contractual requirements are met for Mission Systems Engineering team including timely update and submittal of deliverables of various CDRLs
Lead technical anomaly resolution, including adjudication of findings to current and future builds, lead internal and external technical change/ review coordination, and signoff on Development change boards/ECPs for the IPT
Basic Qualifications:
Bachelor’s Degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics) discipline and 14 years of related engineering experience; OR a Master’s degree in a STEM discipline and 12 years of related engineering experience; OR a PhD in a STEM discipline and 10 years of related engineering experience.
Must demonstrate leadership skills with the ability to work effectively in a team environment and possess effective communication and presentation skills to all levels (individual contributor up to executive leadership, customer representatives, or supplier personnel)
Must have experience with Earned Value Management (EVM) of labor or material or subcontract labor accounts
Must have experience in leading a technical team
Must have experience in Risk and Opportunity Management
Must have an active DoD 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 DoD Top Secret/SCI clearance
Preferred Qualifications:
Active DoD Top Secret clearance with current SCI and/or SAP
Must have experience with developing, preparing and defending proposal bids for technical programs
Experience as a certified CAM
Experience in technical leadership role as IPT/sub-IPT lead or technical/thread lead in systems engineering, vehicle engineering, avionics, software, electronics, or mission payloads
Experience in system-level/ hardware-in-the-loop integration/test, and/or other development activities
Demonstrated championing of technical change which resulted in performance improvements and/or team efficiencies
Familiarity with HALE ISR UAV programs (Triton, RQ-4)
Skills Required
- Bachelor's in STEM with 14 years related engineering experience OR Master's in STEM with 12 years OR PhD in STEM with 10 years
- Demonstrated leadership, communication, and presentation skills across all levels
- Experience with Earned Value Management (EVM) of labor, material, or subcontract labor accounts
- Experience leading a technical team
- Experience in Risk and Opportunity Management
- Active DoD Secret or higher clearance (background investigation within last 6 years or currently enrolled in Continuous Evaluation)
- Ability to obtain and maintain DoD Top Secret/SCI clearance
- Willingness/ability to work onsite in Rancho Bernardo, CA and travel ~25%
- Experience developing, preparing, and defending proposal bids for technical programs
- Certified Control Account Manager (CAM) experience
- Technical leadership experience as IPT/sub-IPT lead or technical/thread lead in systems engineering, avionics, software, electronics, vehicle engineering, or mission payloads
- Experience in system-level or hardware-in-the-loop integration/test and other development activities
- Demonstrated record of driving technical change that improved performance or team efficiency
- Familiarity with HALE ISR UAV programs (Triton, RQ-4)
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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