Consulting Chief Engineer, Advanced Weapons Systems

Northrop Grumman; 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

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.