Consultant Chief Engineer (AHT)

Northrop Grumman Corp. (AU); Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 212,100 - 318,100; Full time

Job summary

Northrop Grumman Defense Systems is seeking a Consulting Chief Engineer to lead the future of Air Warfare Systems from our Northridge, CA site. This senior role focuses on driving innovation and technical excellence across development, production, and sustainment of AARGM and AARGM-ER programs.

You will collaborate with top leaders to align missiles with product line objectives, chair engineering boards, and guide cross-functional teams to deliver high‑impact defense systems.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or STEM with 16 years, or 14 with a master’s, or 12 with a PhD.
• Experience leading engineering teams through design, integration and production.
• Proven ability to manage cost, schedule and technical quality in complex projects.
• Active DoD Secret clearance (within last 6 years or Continuous Evaluation).

Responsibilities

• Drive innovation and technical excellence to ensure successful delivery of AARGM and AARGM-ER across development, production and sustainment phases.
• Ensure adherence to rigorous engineering processes across development, verification, production and sustainment while maintaining compliance with policies, procedures and quality standards.
• Balance technical performance with cost and schedule to achieve KPIs and Technical Performance Measures.
• Promote integration of hardware-software interface standards; drive testing and delivery improvements.
• Lead reviews and chair AWS Engineering and Software Configuration Control Boards.
• Support decision boards such as Advanced Weapons Technical Review Board and other readiness/review meetings.
• Champion long-term strategic technical objectives at program and portfolio levels.
• Identify opportunities to improve IPT engagement and deliverables.

Skills

Engineering leadership

DoD clearance

Team leadership

Technical judgment

Presentation to leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering or STEM

Job description

Relocation & Clearance

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 sector (NGDS) is looking for you to join our Advanced Weapons Business Unit to lead the future of Air Warfare Systems and drive excellence in missile development as a Consulting Chief Engineer. As part of NGDS, you’ll collaborate with top leaders to bring game‑changing capabilities to global defense systems. This leadership role is located in Northridge, CA.

The selected candidate will be required to work full‑time, on‑site at our facility in Northridge, CA.

Responsibilities

In this pivotal leadership position, you will drive innovation and technical excellence to ensure the successful delivery of AARGM and AARGM‑ER across development, production, and sustainment phases.

• Ensure adherence to rigorous engineering processes across development, verification, production, and sustainment while maintaining compliance with company policies, procedures, and quality standards.
• Balance technical performance with cost and schedule to achieve Key Performance Parameters and Technical Performance Measures.
• Work across teams to promote the Integrated Functional Capability Strategy, advancing standards for hardware‑software integration, testing, and delivery.
• Partner with the Advanced Weapons Chief Engineer to ensure alignment of Air Warfare Operating Unit missiles with Advanced Weapons Product Line objectives.
• Lead technical reviews and chair AWS Engineering and Software Configuration Control Boards, ensuring seamless integration across functions and programs.
• Support decision boards like Advanced Weapons Technical Review Board, Heads‑Up Display meetings, Test Readiness Reviews, Program Management Reviews, and AWS Risk & Opportunity Management Board.
• Champion long‑term strategic technical objectives at the program and portfolio levels.
• Identify opportunities to improve engagement and collaboration across Integrated Product Teams (IPTs) and deliverables.
• Provide technical oversight and conduct focused deep dives into hardware, software, and integration deliverables.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or STEM‑related discipline with 16 years of experience, or 14 years with a master’s degree and 12 years with a Ph.D.
• Experience leading engineering teams through design, integration and production of complex systems.
• Demonstrated performance addressing cost, schedule and technical quality for an engineering development or systems integration project.
• Excellent technical leadership skills, decisiveness, and ability to make sound technical judgments with limited information. Demonstrated ability to formally present technical solutions to senior leadership.
• Must have an active DoD Secret clearance (with a background investigation completed within the last 6 years or currently enrolled into Continuous Evaluation).

Preferred Qualifications

• Extensive knowledge of aerospace systems, including aircraft, missile, avionics, and software systems, and their design drivers.
• Proven expertise in Air Launched Weapon/Missile Systems Development, with hands‑on experience integrating missile seekers, sensors, and software.
• Deep technical foundation in hardware/software integration, embedded systems, and lifecycle management—from concept through production and operations.
• Leadership experience, such as technical lead, IPT lead, or program‑level leadership, with demonstrated success in team building, organizational development, and interpersonal communication.

Salary & Benefits

Primary Level Salary Range: $212,100.00 – $318,100.00. 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.

Equal Opportunity Statement

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.