Business Development – Strategy & Program Development -3

Northrop Grumman; Palmdale (CA); On-site; USD 175,000 - 263,000; Full time

Job summary

Northrop Grumman is seeking a senior business development leader in Palmdale, CA. The role focuses on portfolio leadership, strategy, and execution across the Air Dominance program, coordinating with engineering, program management, finance, and legal teams to advance opportunities.

Ideal candidates will have extensive defense sector BD experience, a Top Secret clearance, and the ability to travel. The position offers a competitive salary, bonuses, and comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with 10+ years or master's with 7+ years or PhD with 4+ years.
• Active USG Top Secret clearance or ability to obtain; SAP access possible.
• Ability to travel up to 35% and lead cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead business development for the Air Dominance program across functional teams.
• Manage and grow the opportunity pipeline through outreach and targeted campaigns.
• Oversee the Business Acquisition Process, including capture plan development and review gates.
• Engage customers and translate mission needs into differentiating technical solutions.

Skills

Leadership

Mentoring

Microsoft Office

Travel

Education

Bachelor's +10y

Master's +7y

PhD +4y

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: No

CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret

TRAVEL: Yes, 25% of the Time

Description

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.

Key Responsibilities

• Portfolio & Pipeline Leadership
  • Lead business development for the program in the Air Dominance Division, coordinating across functional teams.
  • Manage and grow the opportunity pipeline through strategic customer outreach and targeted campaign planning.
  • Oversee all aspects of the Business Acquisition Process (BAP), including growth strategy development, opportunity qualification, pursuit prioritization, capture plan development, and progression through internal BAP/review gates.
• Customer Engagement & Technical Outreach
  • Actively engage and follow up with operational and acquisition customers, U.S. Government representatives, and Northrop Grumman leadership.
  • Conduct independent initial technical and concept discussions with customers, translating mission needs into differentiating solutions.
  • Develop briefings, white papers, and RFI responses that clearly articulate mission value and technical advantages.
• Strategy, Capture & Investment Shaping
  • Develop and execute comprehensive business development strategies for modernization and sustainment.
  • Influence internal investment planning and shape business priorities aligned with pipeline opportunities and customer roadmaps.
  • Convene and lead multi-functional teams (engineering, program management, finance, legal, government relations) to develop mission discriminators through innovative architectures, payloads, technology strategies, management approaches, and competitive cost solutions.
  • Devise and support execution of government relations and legislative advocacy plans to enhance key campaign outcomes.
• Relationships & Representation
  • Build and sustain trusted relationships with senior government and military decision-makers, program offices, and contracting officers.
  • Represent Northrop Grumman to increase visibility and strengthen customer/partner relationships.
• Leadership & Mentoring
  • Promote business development best practices across the portfolio and contribute to a high-performance, mission-focused culture.
• Compliance & Acquisition Discipline
  • Ensure all business development initiatives comply with company standards, ethics, and applicable government regulations.
  • Leverage familiarity with defense and national security acquisition processes, including both traditional and non-traditional pathways, to guide bid decisions.

Basic Qualifications

• Must either have a bachelor's degree with 10 years' experience or a master's degree with 7 years' experience or a PhD with 4 years' experience
• Minimum 10 years' military experience
• Knowledge of Department of War procurement and acquisition processes
• Proven track record in leading / developing winning strategies and tactics to win
• Experience leading and mentoring cross functional teams
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite
• Active USG Top Secret clearance (with a background investigation within the past 5 years or enrolled into Continuous Vetting). Ability to obtain and maintain initial Special Access Program (SAP) access via a Program Access Request (PAR). This SAP/PAR must be obtained prior to commencement of employment and must be obtained within a reasonable amount of time as determined by the company to meet its business needs
• Ability to travel at least 35%

Preferred Qualifications

• Current access to a Special Access Program (SAP)
• STEM degree
• Business development, strategy, capture management, or program management experience in the defense or aerospace sectors
• Demonstrated success supporting cross-sector initiatives
• Experience briefing and influencing internal and external senior leadership

Salary and Benefits

Primary Level Salary Range: $175,200.00 - $263,200.00

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.

Equal Opportunity

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.