Come join Northrop Grumman – Xetron, part of the Mission Systems sector, where we develop new capabilities for our military and intelligence customers around the globe. At Xetron we design systems that only science fiction writers could imagine, because they’re that cool!
Xetron is an operating unit of the Northrop Grumman Corporation, located in Cincinnati, Ohio, where employees have the chance to know everyone on site while working on cutting‑edge technologies and high‑impact products. You’ll tackle the next generation of challenging problems, share expertise, and learn from world‑class teammates. Remember when you were excited about the challenge of the problem, the importance of the solution, and the fun you had with your team? You’ll experience that at Xetron! See why we receive comments on our YouTube Videos like “This company is insanely advanced” and “Wow. This is mind blowing.”
We are seeking a cleared or clearable System & Software Engineering Manager 2 for a critical role in our engineering organization to be responsible for managing a team and leading the Systems Engineering, Integration, and Test efforts on projects.
This is a dual role position, involving direct management of a talented team of high performing Cyber Software Engineers as well as working on programs leading the Systems Engineering, Integration and Test (SEIT) efforts, called a SEIT Lead. The products designed, developed, and produced at this facility support all domains of intelligence and defense battlespaces including land, sea, air, cyber, and space. Many of the problem-sets our customers expect us to solve do not have known solutions, so ingenuity is essential.
Top candidates will:
- Have experience in managing people and demonstrated success as a leader in a Systems Engineering or related role.
- Have strong experience in tailoring engineering processes to delivery with speed while meeting customer expectations.
- Have knowledge and demonstrated leadership in more than one of the following technologies: government cloud systems, web and backend development, data analysis, emulation, reverse engineering, vulnerability research, cyber security, cyber operations, collection systems, and/or RF sensor systems.
Your direct management responsibilities will include (~20%):
- Managing and guiding direct report software engineers
- Setting objectives for your team and then monitoring and reviewing progress
- Being responsible and accountable for managing the workload of your direct reports
- Recruiting, interviewing, and hiring top engineering talent
- Providing timely, constructive support and feedback to your reports on a regular basis
- Completing performance assessments of your team members
- Motivating your team members (engagement) and facilitating regular meetings with them
- Providing mentoring and career development to each team member
- Coordinating training for each team member
- Providing appropriate tools and resources for your team’s development activities
Your SEIT Lead duties will include (~80%):
- Work programs, proposals, and internally funded activities in a technical and leadership role
- Lead the Systems Engineering, Integration and Test activities on program(s)
- Within your program(s), ensure the execution and integrity of all Systems Engineering activities, either completed by yourself or delegated to other team members. Ensure all activities follow company and contract defined policies and procedures.
- Plan and execute system reviews
- Coordinate program integration activities both internal and external to the program
- Oversee the program verification and validation efforts; including creation and/or revision of the system test plans
- Oversee the system configuration management including defining, controlling and verifying interface requirements
- Establish and maintain strong working relationship with program Chief Engineer, System Architect, and Engineering Program Manager to ensure the integrity and executability of the program technical baseline
Basic Qualifications:
- Candidate must have BS + 8 years engineering experience, MS + 6 years engineering experience, or a PhD + 3 years engineering experience
- Experience in engineering management, program management, and/or relevant leadership in the military
- Experience as a technical leader in a Systems Engineering or related field
- US Citizenship is required
- The ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance (NG will sponsor)
Preferred Qualifications:
- Current, active Top Secret clearance
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills
- Experience in one or more of the following technologies: collection systems, sensor systems, government cloud systems, web and backend development, data analysis, cyber security, and cyber operations.
- Experience working on U.S. Government programs with an engineering deliverable
- Experience in recruiting and developing top engineering talent
- M.S., M.B.A., or other advanced engineering degree
- STEM degree
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.
Primary Level Salary Range: $146,500.00 - $219,700.00The 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.Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree and 8 years of engineering experience, or master's degree and 6 years, or PhD and 3 years
- Experience in engineering management, program management, or relevant military leadership
- Technical leadership experience in systems engineering or a related field
- U.S. citizenship
- Ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills
- Experience with collection systems, sensor systems, government cloud systems, web and backend development, data analysis, cybersecurity, or cyber operations
- Experience working on U.S. Government programs with an engineering deliverable
- Experience recruiting and developing engineering talent
- Master's, MBA, or other advanced engineering degree
- STEM degree
- Current active Top Secret clearance
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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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.
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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.
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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.








