Northrop Grumman

Department Manager Engineering 3 - RAD Restricted Program Systems Engineering

Northrop Grumman$151K — $227K *
Aerospace & Defense
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor of Science in STEM discipline plus 9 years related engineering experience, or Master's degree plus 7 years experience
  • Minimum 5 years of leadership experience in a management role
  • Proven experience in leading multidisciplinary engineering teams through complex projects
  • Demonstrated capability in workforce planning and resource allocation across programs
  • Strong leadership and communication skills for cross-functional engagement
  • Active DoD Secret clearance, eligible for Special Access Program access
  • Relevant test experience in ground, flight, lab, and production testing.

Responsibilities

  • Lead personnel management activities including hiring and talent management
  • Collaborate with program leaders and HR to align workforce to program needs
  • Manage performance activities such as goal setting and employee development
  • Oversee day-to-day execution of departmental activities to meet program objectives
  • Ensure application of engineering best practices in line with technical excellence standards
  • Provide leadership oversight for technical execution and audits
  • Support long-range strategic planning and special assignments as needed.

Benefits

  • Relocation assistance may be available
  • Comprehensive health insurance coverage
  • Life and disability insurance options
  • 401(k) savings plan
  • Paid holidays and time off for personal/business needs
  • Eligibility for bonuses and long-term incentives for certain positions.
Full Job Description
RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes

CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret

TRAVEL: Yes, 25% of the TimeDescription

This position is currently contingent on program award and associated program award funding. Start dates are determined after funding confirmation.

Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems is seeking a Department Manager, Engineering M3 to lead within Systems Engineering organization. This role reports to the Engineering Integration & Execution (EI&E) leader on a Research & Advanced Design program. This leadership role is located on-site, based at the following location: Melbourne, FL.

The Department Manager is accountable for the performance, development, and engagement of a large engineering organization consisting of section managers and individual contributors. The role balances people leadership, technical oversight, and operational execution in a complex, program-driven environment.

This leader plays a critical role in aligning functional capabilities with program needs, enabling successful execution across cost, schedule, quality, and technical performance.

Key Responsibilities:

People Leadership & Talent Management
  • Lead all aspects of personnel management, including workforce planning, hiring, retention, engagement, redeployment, and succession planning.
  • Partner closely with program leadership, HR, and functional peers to align talent to current and future program needs.
  • Support staffing for section manager and senior technical roles, including requisition development, interview facilitation, onboarding, and mentoring.
  • Foster a culture of engagement, collaboration, accountability/ownership, and belonging by modeling Northrop Grumman leadership behaviors: Sets a vision, builds a high performing team, takes ownership, leads with courage, responds to challenges with resilience and acts with speed
  • Conduct performance management activities, including goal setting, quarterly connections, leadership development, and knowledge sharing activities.

Execution & Operational Leadership
  • Drive day-to-day execution of departmental activities in support of program objectives.
  • Serve as Delegation of Authority (DOA) in the absence of the Systems Engineering Director and/or EI&E leadership, as required.
  • Ensure consistent application of functional engineering processes, tools, and best practices in alignment with the Center of Technical Excellence.
  • Partner across functions to support cross-discipline and intra-discipline integration activities, data analysis, metrics development, and performance reporting in coordination with Strategy, Integration, and Operations.


Technical & Program Oversight
  • Provide engineering leadership oversight for technical execution activities, including:
    • Root Cause and Corrective Action (RCCA) investigations
    • System Engineering Technical Reviews (SETRs), such as System Requirements Review (SRR), Preliminary Design Review (PDR), Critical Design Review (CDR), Test Readiness Reviews (TRRs);Flight Readiness Reviews (FRR).
    • Process audits and Independent Review Team (IRT) engagements
  • Support long-range strategic planning efforts and execute special assignments as required.


Our Leaders at Northrop Grumman live our values daily and encourage our teams to do the same. We do the right thing: upholding the highest ethical standards and facilitating a safe and respectful environment that attracts, retains, and inspires a diverse and engaged team. We do what we promise: holding yourself and others accountable to meet predictable and balanced results. We commit to shared success: operating as OneNG and removing barriers for our teams. Finally, We pioneer: setting a vision that shapes the future and inspires others.

Basic Qualifications:
  • Must have a Bachelor of Science degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics) discipline and 9 years of related engineering experience; OR a Master's degree in a STEM discipline and 7 years of related engineering experience.
  • Minimum 5 years of leadership experience, including first-level or higher people management leadership.
  • Experience in leading, mentoring, and developing multidisciplinary engineering teams to deliver complex technical solutions, within cost and schedule constraints, across the various phases of the engineering lifecycle.
  • Demonstrated capability in workforce and resource planning, including allocating resources across programs, managing workloads and priorities, forecasting staffing needs, and executing end-to-end hiring decisions.
  • Strong leadership, interpersonal, and written/oral communication skills, enabling effective engagement with cross-functional stakeholders and customers.
  • Must possess an active DoD Secret clearance that is in scope or currently enrolled in continuous evaluation, with the ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program (PAR) access as determined by business needs .
  • Relevant test experience in one or more of the following fields:
    • Ground testing including static testing, fatigue testing, ground resonance testing, ground vibration testing and live fire testing.
    • Flight testing including performance, flutter, flying qualities, loads, and mission systems (sensors, mission processing, communication systems) for development and operational test. Experience and familiarity with airborne instrumentation systems, telemetry and control rooms.
    • Laboratory testing including Integrated Functional Capability (combined flight hardware and lab testing) in System Integration Labs/Level 3 testing, cyber testing, wind tunnel testing, structural load and fatigue testing.
    • Production testing in a DCMA 8210.D program to include conduct of acceptance test procedures, initial engine run testing, functional check flight testing and customer delivery.


Preferred Qualifications:
  • Master's or Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering or Aerospace Engineering.
  • Prior people leadership experience of large teams (75+).
  • Demonstrated experience applying performance management process and HR policies, including goal setting, performance feedback, development planning, and addressing performance concerns in accordance with company policy.
  • Experience with Earned Value Management Techniques (EVMS) / Control Account Management (CAM), Integrated Master Schedules (IMS), Basis of Estimates (BOEs) and cost-schedule-risk trade off management.
  • Experience with the System Engineering Technical Review process (SRR, PDR, CDR and TRR)
  • Experience identifying, developing, and managing performance metrics to support program and technical execution monitoring and control.
  • Proven expertise in technical planning, risk & opportunity management, and driving project performance across cost, schedule, and technical quality.


Primary Level Salary Range: $151,500.00 - $227,300.00

The 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.

About Northrop Grumman

Northrop Grumman is a security company that provides systems, products, and solutions in aerospace, electronics, information systems, shipbuilding, and technical services to government and commercial customers. They design, develop, and build everything from aircraft and spacecraft to cyber security systems. The company is involved in a wide range of defense and technology projects, including the development of aircraft, space systems, cybersecurity solutions, and advanced electronics.

Northrop Grumman Careers

Join the elite team at Northrop Grumman, a leading global security company providing innovative systems, products, and solutions in autonomous systems, cyber, C4ISR, space, strike, and logistics and modernization to customers worldwide. There has never been a more exciting time to advance your career with Northrop Grumman.

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Northrop Grumman is dedicated to your professional and personal growth. We offer unparalleled benefits, including comprehensive health coverage, generous time off, and family care resources. Additionally, we provide extensive leadership and diversity training to help you craft your career path.

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Enhance your career through our robust networking opportunities. Connect with leaders and peers within Northrop Grumman through various events, mentorship programs, and professional groups. Our leadership is deeply invested in nurturing talent and guiding team members through their career journey.

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Northrop Grumman Jobs

Discover the impact you can make with a career at Northrop Grumman. We are actively hiring and looking for passionate, curious, and solution-driven team players. Search Northrop Grumman jobs today and find where your expertise is needed most. Join Northrop Grumman, and be part of a team that is dedicated to making a difference, not only within the company but in the world at large. Your journey to building a rewarding career starts here.
Learn more about Northrop Grumman
Size
88,000 employees
Market Cap
$82.7 billion
Industry
Net Income
$3.1 billion
Founded
1939
5 Year Trend
+7.6%
Revenue
$36.7 billion
NASDAQ

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