Chief Staff Integrated Functional Capability Lead (IFCL) (AHT)

Northrop Grumman; United States; On-site; USD 193,000 - 289,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Annual bonuses

Long Term Incentives

Paid time off

Job summary

Northrop Grumman Defense Systems is seeking a Chief Staff Integrated Functional Capability Lead (IFCL) in Northridge, CA, to define, develop, and deliver cross‑functional capabilities for next‑gen defense systems. The role combines systems engineering with lean‑agile practices across hardware and software lifecycles.

The position offers a hybrid work arrangement, with on‑site collaboration and remote work options, and requires a current US Government Secret security clearance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Systems Engineering or related field with 14+ years of defense/aerospace product development.
• Experience coordinating complex multi-contract programs in defense or aerospace.
• Current US Government Secret security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Planning: Develop and maintain the overarching strategic IFC Plan for each product line.
• Program Coordination: Align hardware and software IPTs with the IFC schedule and milestones, coordinating across contracts.
• Execution & Integration: Oversee the evolution of the IFC plan through architecture, hardware, and software design phases.
• Certification & Release: Lead the IFC effort to certification and deliver certificate packages for ground/flight tests.
• Systems Engineering Leadership: Expand technical breadth across mission threads and drive lean‑agile approaches.
• Control Account & Risk Management: Manage budgets, schedules, and risks across the lifecycle.

Skills

Systems Engineering

Cross-functional Leadership

Requirements Development

Program Coordination

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering

Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret TRAVEL: Yes, 10% 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.

Northrop Grumman Defense Systems is looking for a Chief Staff Integrated Functional Capability Lead (IFCL) Level 6 that will spearhead the definition, development, and delivery of cross‑functional capabilities that enable the Advanced Weapons Business Unit (AWBU) to design, prototype, and field next generation defense systems in Northridge, CA.

Our Advanced Weapons team designs, develops, and manufactures weapon systems that support U.S. national and allied security objectives.

This position will allow a Hybrid work arrangement working partly remote, and on‑site at the Northridge, CA location.

Applicants must have a current US Government Secret security clearance.

The Chief Staff Integrated Functional Capability Lead (IFCL) will lead cross‑functional engineering teams across the full weapon system development lifecycle, using the Integrated Functional Capability (IFC) plan to align software, systems engineering, integration, and test activities with performance, schedule, and mission requirements.

This position requires strong technical depth, systems thinking, and the ability to coordinate effectively with program leadership, customers, and partner engineering disciplines.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Strategic Planning Develop and maintain the overarching strategic IFC Plan for each product line. Translate the strategic vision into detailed IFC plans, schedules, and resource allocations.
• Program Coordination Align the work of hardware and software IPTs with the IFC schedule and milestones. Synchronize development baselines across contracts to avoid conflicts and gaps.
• Execution & Integration Oversee the evolution of the IFC plan through architecture, hardware, and software design phases. Manage functional activities such as testing, quality assurance, logistics support, and readiness for ground‑and flight‑test phases.
• Certification & Release Lead the IFC effort to certification, confirming that the integrated product set satisfies functional and performance requirements. Compile and deliver the IFC system certificate package for ground test, flight test, developmental/operational test, and evaluation.
• Systems Engineering Leadership Expand technical breadth across a diverse portfolio of mission threads. Drive the transition from traditional systems engineering rigor to lean‑agile, model‑based processes.
• Control Account & Risk Management Own Control Account Management responsibilities, tracking budget, schedule, and performance metrics. Identify, assess, and mitigate risks throughout the development lifecycle.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

• Sr Staff Systems Development Lead Engineer: Bachelor’s degree in Systems Engineering, Software Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Defense Technology or a related field, with 14 years of defense or aerospace product development; or a Master’s with 12+ years of the same experience; or Ph.D with 10+ years of the same 5+years of experience leading large, multidisciplinary, cross‑functional teams of 20+ personnel in a matrix organization
• Experience coordinating complex, multi‑contract development programs in a defense or aerospace environment.
• Experience integrating software for real‑time, embedded, distributed, or mission‑critical systems
• Strong knowledge with requirements development, system architecture, interface management and integration/testing of complex systems.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to brief technical and non‑technical stakeholders
• Current US Government Secret security clearance

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Proven record delivering integrated weapon‑system capabilities (e.g., missiles, directed‑energy, unmanned platforms)
• Proficiency with systems
• Familiarity with DoDAF, MIL‑STD‑499B, ACAT acquisition processes
• Experience in model‑based analysis, trade studies, and performance‑modeling tools
• Demonstrated ability to lead large, cross‑functional teams in a matrix organization
• Excellent oral and written communication skills with strong influencing and negotiation capabilities
• Experience in presenting complex technical concepts to senior military and industry stakeholders
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross‑functional teams and manage requirements, schedules, and risk.
• Familiarity with lean‑agile and model‑based engineering frameworks.

#LI-BC2 #NorthridgeOct26

Primary Level Salary Range: $192,800.00 - $289,200.00 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.

Benefits

• 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.

Existing Applicants: Need to update your contact information or email address? Once logged in, click on Candidate Home in the upper right corner and scroll to the bottom of that screen to see buttons for: Update Contact information to update your legal name, address, and phone number Edit Account Settings to edit your email address

We are a pioneering company. With careers across all areas: air, cyber, land, sea and space – our 90,000 employees work as one to defend and define the future.

Northrop Grumman careers and internships are as varied as your interests, with a lifetime of potential that will give you every opportunity to do your best work.

Working together with people from many backgrounds, personal passions and disciplines, we share a drive to push the boundaries of science, technology and engineering to meet the ever evolving needs of our customers worldwide.