Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems has an opening for a Staff Aeronautical Engineer (USAF Sustainment Sub-IPT Lead) to join our team in Rancho Bernardo, CA!
This leadership position provides technical and cost/schedule management direction to all sustainment activities on RQ-4 USAF contracts and reports directly to the IPT lead.
Duties Include:
- Responsible for Vehicle Engineering IPT management and CAM for all RQ-4 USAF sustainment contracts (i.e., repairs, IFC development and testing support, field support, sustaining engineering, CDRL development, and subcontracts scope)
- Manage daily execution of Vehicle Engineering activities on contract
- Responsible for EVM baselining, maintaining cost, holding schedule, and meeting technical performance
- Manage and provide technical oversight throughout the PoP
- Maintain staffing and ensure team taskings are prioritized appropriately
- Report execution status to USAF VE IPT Lead and Program Managers
Basic Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics) discipline and 12 years of related engineering experience; OR a Master’s degree in a relevant STEM discipline and 10 years of related engineering experience; OR a PhD in a relevant STEM discipline with 8 years of related engineering experience.
- Demonstrated experience with sustaining engineering, field support, and/or aircraft repairs
- Active, in-scope US Government Secret clearance with the ability to obtain and maintain Special Program Access (SAP).
Preferred Qualifications
- Current EV certification
- Experience with CAM
- Prior experience leading a team and taking ownership of execution
Skills Required
- Bachelor’s degree in a relevant STEM discipline and 12 years of related engineering experience, or master’s degree and 10 years, or PhD and 8 years
- Experience with sustaining engineering, field support, and/or aircraft repairs
- Active, in-scope U.S. Government Secret clearance
- Ability to obtain and maintain Special Program Access
- U.S. citizenship for positions requiring government clearance
- Current EV certification
- Experience with Control Account Management (CAM)
- Experience leading a team and owning execution
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.








