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.
As a member of this team, you will have the opportunity to support efforts on both concept and product development to deliver key solutions to our customers. We cover a wide variety expertise within the systems engineering domain. This includes mission engineering, requirements, architecture, modeling and simulation, integration and test, verification, and validation, and many more!
Northrop Grumman Mission Systems is seeking a Staff Engineering Program Manager (EPM) in Woodland Hills, CA. This role will be a Deputy EPM role working directly with the EPM to lead engineering execution for the Sentinel Program with a strong emphasis on developing an inertial measurement system. You will partner closely with Program Managers, Chief Engineers, discipline functional engineering management, and other support organizations to deliver on cost, schedule, and technical commitments.
This is a full‑time, on‑site role in Woodland Hills, CA.
What You’ll Get To Do
The EPM is accountable for cost, schedule, and execution of all engineering scope on the program and ensures work is completed within approved budget and contractual boundaries across all IPTs.
Key Responsibilities
• Engineering execution across the full program lifecycle (capture through delivery) for airborne navigation systems.
• Ensure engineering execution meets the applicable level of rigor and aligns with standards including MIL‑STD‑810 for environmental qualification, DO‑178 and MIL‑STD‑882 for safety‑critical software development, and DO‑229 for GPS integrity certification.
• Serve as the primary engineering interface to the Program Manager, Chief Engineer, and functional organizations (Systems, Software, Hardware, Test, Manufacturing, Supply Chain).
• Develop, review, and defend engineering proposal estimates and BOEs.
• Oversee CAM responsibilities for engineering scope, rolling wave planning, budget allocation, Integrated Master Schedule (IMS) maintenance, earned value status, and estimating total costs to complete efforts.
• Support schedule and financial updates, lead engineering Page and Line (P&L) reviews, and drive data‑informed decisions using program metrics.
• Develop staffing plans and Work Load Forecasts (WLF) and partner with functional managers to project and secure resources.
• Proactively identify, communicate, and burn down program execution risk, driving risk/issue/opportunity handling plans across IPTs.
• Develop and execute risk mitigation plans and return‑to‑green plans for efforts on the program at risk of not meeting their baseline cost, schedule, or technical targets.
• Ensure adherence to Northrop Grumman and customer engineering processes, configuration management, and rigorous entry/exit criteria for major reviews (e.g., SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR).
Basic Qualifications – Staff EPM
• Bachelor’s degree in a STEM or related technical field with 12+ years of related experience; or Master’s with 10+ years; or PhD with 8+ years
• U.S. Citizenship.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Secret security clearance.
• Extensive experience leading multi‑disciplinary engineering teams and serving as an engineering leader (e.g., EPM or IPT Lead) on complex programs.
• Deep experience in systems development, integration, and test across the full lifecycle for complex electronic or avionics systems.
• Demonstrated experience with EVM, CAM responsibilities, and management of cost, schedule, and technical performance for engineering scope.
• Demonstrated ability to influence and collaborate across functions, sites, and senior stakeholders.
• Demonstrated experience using metrics to drive program decisions and outcomes.
Preferred Qualifications
• Advanced degree in a STEM or related technical field.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or equivalent
• Active U.S. Government Secret or Top Secret clearance.
• Working knowledge of DoD systems engineering standards and lifecycle processes.
• Prior experience as an EPM, IPT Lead, or similar engineering leadership role.
• CAM certification and experience with ETCs, CEACs, and IBRs.
• Familiarity with Northrop Grumman processes and demonstrated success through proposals, BOE generation, program start‑up, and major reviews.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in STEM or related technical field with 12 or more years of related experience, or master's degree with 10 or more years, or PhD with 8 or more years
- U.S. citizenship
- Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Secret security clearance
- Extensive experience leading multidisciplinary engineering teams and serving as an engineering leader, such as an Engineering Program Manager or IPT Lead, on complex programs
- Deep experience in systems development, integration, and test across the full lifecycle for complex electronic or avionics systems
- Experience with Earned Value Management, CAM responsibilities, and management of cost, schedule, and technical performance for engineering scope
- Ability to influence and collaborate across functions, sites, and senior stakeholders
- Experience using metrics to drive program decisions and outcomes
- Advanced degree in a STEM or related technical field
- Project Management Professional certification or equivalent
- Active U.S. Government Secret or Top Secret clearance
- Working knowledge of Department of Defense systems engineering standards and lifecycle processes
- Prior experience as an Engineering Program Manager, IPT Lead, or similar engineering leadership role
- CAM certification and experience with ETCs, CEACs, and IBRs
- Familiarity with Northrop Grumman processes and success with proposals, BOE generation, program startup, and major reviews
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
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.








