Northrop Grumman - Launch Vehicles Division is hiring a Systems Engineer Level 6 - Software IPT lead, located in Chandler, Arizona. This high-visibility position requires a technical and leadership expert capable of guiding the software and firmware teams to design, integrate, and deliver software for the interceptor, flight test vehicles, ground support and unique test equipment.
The ideal candidate will have strong, broad development experience with a deep understanding of embedded software, firmware, integration and testing as well as experience integrating safety and security into application and software products.
Position Overview
Serve as Leader of the technical, cost, schedule, and resource execution for the IPT activities. You will collaborate with other IPT leads to understand the programs software needs, and drive development schedules to support overall program success. You will work with your team leads to understand risks, drive technical solutions and identify and execute risk mitigation activities. You will work closely with the flight test and ground test IPT leads to understand their software needs and schedules to ensure ground and flight test operations are supported while delivering software products that support overall program schedule milestones.
What You’ll Get To Do:
As the Software Test Integrated Product Team Lead, you will:
Lead a High-Performing Team: Coordinate an engineering team in a high-visibility and fast-paced program environment. Collaborate with diverse groups including Engineering & Program Management, Algorithm and Electrical Engineers, and Mission Assurance teams.
Solve Complex Challenges: Apply your organizational and technical problem-solving skills to ensure successful software product designs while addressing development risks and emerging challenges in real-time.
Communicate at all Levels: Provide technical leadership and support for internal and external executive briefings, including program updates, engineering reviews, and risk management discussions.
Maintain High Standards: Thrive in a high-expectation environment, demonstrating initiative, meticulous attention to detail, and polished verbal and written communication skills.
Roles and Responsibilities
Leadership and Team Management
Serve as the technical and leadership authority for the Software development, delivering on challenging performance, schedule, and cost objectives.
Engage, inspire, and guide cross-functional teams to achieve program milestones, ensuring clear communication and strong alignment across all stakeholders.
Proactively manage team assignments, workloads, mentorship, and collaboration across internal teams and external partnerships.
Lead long-range software development planning to support technology maturation and new capability development, ground and flight test activities, and tactical software qualification and deployment.
Stakeholder Management and Communication:
Serve as the primary technical interface for internal and external stakeholders, preparing and delivering clear communication on risks, trade-offs, decisions, and successes.
Partner with internal program management and external stakeholders to align technical requirements and delivery schedules with program milestones.
Foster collaborative, trust-based relationships with internal and external partners to maintain alignment and ensure mission success.
Basic Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree with 14 years of experience, master's degree with 12 years of experience or Ph.D. with 10 years of experience in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, or related technical fields; an additional 4 years of experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
U.S Citizenship is required.
Active US Government Security Secret Clearance
Ability to obtain Special Program Access (SAP)
Experience leading technical teams
Understanding of Government systems engineering requirements
Experience as Integrated Product Team (IPT) Lead, Technical lead, or other leadership role in a program office or business function with demonstrated team building, organizational, and interpersonal skills
Experience with the technical development and direction for many aspects of engineering on a program, including design, development, implementation, testing, and delivery of product to a customer.
Experience with developing and executing project schedules.
Preferred Qualifications:
Advanced degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics or other related technical fields.
Active US Government Top Secret Security Clearance or higher, SAP access(es), and/or SCI access.
Exceptional communication skills.
An interest in and an aptitude for customer engagements at technical and programmatic levels.
Experience as a Control Account Manager (CAM) managing Earned Value Management System (EVMS) projects.
Domain expertise in defense sensor systems.
Experience with the technical development and direction for all aspects of engineering on a program, including design, development, implementation, testing, and delivery of product to a customer.
Experience coordinating with external subcontractors, primes, and/or suppliers.
Curious about all the exciting developments with the Northrop Grumman Space Sector? Click the link below:
https://www.northropgrumman.com/space
Working at Northrop Grumman is more than just a paycheck. We offer a comprehensive Total Rewards and benefits package designed to help you thrive at work and in life. For more information on our Total Rewards package, please visit our Total Rewards site.
Northrop Grumman Total Rewards
Primary Level Salary Range: $166,500.00 - $249,700.00The 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 with 14 years of experience, master's degree with 12 years, or Ph.D. with 10 years in STEM or related technical fields; four additional years of experience may substitute for a degree.
- U.S. citizenship.
- Active U.S. Government Secret security clearance.
- Ability to obtain Special Program Access (SAP).
- Experience leading technical teams.
- Understanding of government systems engineering requirements.
- Experience as an Integrated Product Team Lead, technical lead, or comparable leadership role, with demonstrated team-building, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
- Experience directing technical development across engineering design, development, implementation, testing, and customer delivery.
- Experience developing and executing project schedules.
- Advanced degree in STEM or a related technical field.
- Active Top Secret clearance or higher, SAP access, and/or SCI access.
- Exceptional communication skills.
- Aptitude for customer engagements at technical and programmatic levels.
- Experience as a Control Account Manager managing Earned Value Management System projects.
- Defense sensor systems domain expertise.
- Experience coordinating with external subcontractors, prime contractors, and suppliers.
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.
