Northrop Grumman

Director Systems Engineering 1

Northrop Grumman • $193K — $321K *
Aerospace & Defense
11 - 15 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in engineering or related field with significant experience (12+ years for Bachelor’s, 10+ for Master’s)
  • Proven track record in delivering complex hardware and software systems within budget and timelines
  • Strong leadership skills in a matrixed organization, focusing on performance and staff development
  • Expertise in technical problem-solving, including root cause analysis and corrective action implementation
  • Experience in managing functional teams, including staffing and training
  • Ability to communicate effectively with high-level management and customers
  • Active Secret clearance with potential for Top-Secret clearance

Responsibilities

  • Develop and execute engineering strategies for Naval systems programs
  • Lead functional teams in goal setting, performance management, and budget oversight
  • Manage workload forecasts across multiple sites to meet utilization goals
  • Drive innovation and rigor in all engineering phases from concept to sustainment
  • Enhance personnel, processes, and tools to meet evolving program needs
  • Ensure technical excellence and cost-effective execution across engineering disciplines
  • Engage with stakeholders and customers as the engineering authority for Naval systems

Benefits

  • Relocation assistance may be available
  • Health insurance coverage
  • Life and disability insurance
  • Savings plan
  • Company-paid holidays and paid time off (PTO)
Full Job Description
RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret TRAVEL: Yes, 50% of the Time Description What you get to Do: Northrop Grumman Mission Systems (NGMS) seeks to fill a Director of Engineering 1 position based in either Charlottesville, VA or Sykesville, MD. In this role, the selected candidate will report to the Naval and Oceanic Systems Senior Director of Engineering and Sciences and will be responsible for the overall direction, leadership, and management of the Naval engineering organization; a team comprised of approximately 250 managers, engineers, and scientists of varying levels of experience and growth across 3 sites: Charlottesville VA, Sykesville MD, and Ocean Springs MS. The organization comprises Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Software Engineering, and Integration & Logistics. The selected candidate must be able to work collaboratively with other E&S and business leaders, as well as other enabling functions to meet our commitments and address/resolve challenges in a timely manner. This leadership role is pivotal in the development of hardware, software and systems solutions as well as production support and shipboard integration and test for Navy and USCG surface and subsurface fleet. Key Responsibilities • Develop, lead, and execute engineering strategy aligned with business and program objectives for Naval systems programs. • Provide functional leadership to include goal setting, performance management, employee development, and managing budgets required to perform their statements of work. • Manage multiple sites’ workload forecast for engineering while meeting utilization goals • Drive innovation and engineering rigor across complex programs in all phases: concept development, design, integration, verification, deployment, and sustainment. • Enhance the personnel, processes, and tools to meet the current and future needs of the programs and technologies. • Provide oversight and leadership across all engineering disciplines, ensuring technical excellence, cost-effective execution, and alignment with customer needs. • Proactively push information and issues to business and functional leadership • Serve as the engineering authority for Naval systems programs, engaging regularly with internal stakeholders, senior leadership, government customers, and prime contractors. • Lead the development, design, implementation, application, training, costing, and product support for state-of-the-art solutions in support of captures, programs, and research & development. • Foster a high-performance culture that promotes technical depth, continuous learning, operational discipline, and talent development across departments. • Ensure compliance with engineering policies, quality standards, and risk management practices. • Support business growth through technical solutioning, proposal development, and customer engagement. • Support the sites’ Program Management teams in the successful execution of programs while meeting cost, schedule and customer performance requirements • Provide technical oversight to program risk and opportunity management boards This position will be on-site at either Charlottesville, VA or Sykesville, MD locations There will be up to 50% travel for this position to other Northrop Grumman locations. Basic Qualifications Director 1 position: • Bachelor’s degree in engineering (e.g., Electrical, Mechanical, Software, Systems) or a related technical field with 12+ years of professional relevant experience; or a Master’s degree in engineering (e.g., Electrical, Mechanical, Software, Systems) or a related technical field with 10+ years of professional relevant experience. • Experience delivering complex hardware and software integrated systems within cost, schedule, and performance objectives. • Demonstrated ability to drive engineering performance, process discipline, and staff development in a matrixed organization. • Proficiency in technical problem solving to include decomposition, root cause analysis, and corrective actions development, implementation, and progress checks. • Previous experience in Functional People Management including staffing, metrics, training resources, processes, and tools • Experience briefing high level management, executives, and customers • Active Secret clearance with the ability to obtain and maintain a Top-Secret security clearance • U.S. citizenship required Preferred Qualifications for Director 1 position: • Master’s degree in engineering, Engineering Management, Systems Engineering, or related technical discipline. • 12+ years of experience in Aerospace & Defense in maritime domain • Experience with Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE), Agile software development, and digital engineering practices. • Experience with Product Lifecycle Management processes and tools • Familiarity with Department of Defense (DoD) acquisition lifecycle and the Systems Engineering lifecycle milestone reviews, e.g., System Requirements Review, Critical Design Review). • Experience as a Control Account Manager (CAM) including certification. Primary Level Salary Range: $193,800.00 - $321,100.00 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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At Northrop Grumman, your work will redefine the edges of technology and create a safer future. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity, and bringing your whole self to work. Our team is at the forefront of innovation, collaborating to make the impossible, possible.

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Diversity and inclusion are the foundations of our culture. Northrop Grumman is committed to building a diverse team that fosters an inclusive environment, where every team member is valued for their unique perspectives and contributions. We believe that diversity fuels innovation.

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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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