Director of Engineering 1 – Flight Software Integrated Product Team Lead

Northrop Grumman; Redondo Beach (CA); On-site; USD 204,000 - 306,000; Full time

Job summary

Northrop Grumman’s Space Systems Sector seeks a Director of Engineering 1 – Flight Software IPT Lead in Redondo Beach, CA. You will oversee end‑to‑end cost, schedule, technical, and management for the Bus FSW organization across multiple programs.

The role requires senior leadership, strong communication, and a track record of delivering complex software systems. The position reports to the Western Region Software Engineering Director and demands coordination with subcontractors, IPTs, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in a STEM discipline with 10+ years in engineering or software management.
• Demonstrated understanding of full life‑cycle software development (requirements, architecture, design, coding, testing).
• Experience leading multiple Agile teams delivering a shared product.

Responsibilities

• Oversee FSW IPT strategy: cost, schedule, technical, quality, risk and opportunity management.
• Ensure close collaboration with other IPTs and subcontractor management for schedule adherence.
• Provide technical leadership for the Bus FSW architecture, design and validation.
• Serve as customer interface for FSW IPT and NG leadership.
• Collaborate with Functional orgs to leverage internal capabilities and optimize teams.
• Improve Bus FSW processes and metrics to improve predictability.
• Bid on supplemental FSW work within Proliferated Systems.

Skills

STEM degree

Software management

Agile leadership

Systems integration

Release planning

DoD clearance eligibility

Education

Bachelor’s in STEM

Master’s in STEM or MBA

Tools

Jira

Confluence

Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: No

CLEARANCE TYPE: None

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.

Northrop Grumman’s Space Systems Sector’s Multi-Domani Operations Division (MDO) is seeking a Director of Engineering 1 – Flight Software (FSW) Integrated Product Team (IPT) Lead to join our team of qualified, diverse individuals. This position will be located in Redondo Beach, California and will report functionally to the Western Region Software Engineering Director.

The Flight Software (FSW) IPT Lead will be responsible for end‑to‑end cost, schedule, technical, and management oversight of the Bus FSW organization to ensure high‑quality, on‑time deliveries for multiple execution programs across all tranches. Responsibilities encompass leading the NG IPT inclusive of key subcontractor performance and delivery to critical schedule commitments. Effective communication and excellent leadership characteristics are essential.

The FSW IPT Lead responsibilities include:

• FSW IPT strategy and execution (cost, schedule, technical, quality, risk and opportunity management, forecasting) to meet the deliveries and milestones of the program. Tight integration between Bus FSW and program execution is essential.

• Effective communication and collaboration between the FSW IPT and all other IPTs to ensure overall program success. Specifically, close collaboration with the SV IPT is required for subcontractor management

• Provide technical leadership and direction for the Bus FSW team to ensure the SW architecture, design, and testing meet program requirements and quality standards.

• Act as customer interface for technical and execution matters related to the FSW IPT and to internal NG leadership.

• Partnership with the Functional organization to leverage internal expertise & capabilities to optimize NG/subcontractor organization for efficient and effective operating teams to meet cost, schedule, and technical commitments.

• Collaboration within OU IPTs and functional leaders to develop and nurture a highly competent and engaged team that delivers on commitments and embodies “best culture”. Proactively improve/refine Bus FSW systems engineering, software development and validation & test processes and accompanying metrics to improve performance visibility and predictability.

• Bid and proposal of supplemental work related to the FSW IPT within Proliferated Systems

• Support to MDOD and WRE initiatives (e.g. OU strategy, IR&D investments, employee career development, cross-organization experience rotations)

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in a STEM discipline from an accredited university with a minimum of ten (10) years of experience in engineering and/or software management

• Demonstrated understanding of full‑life‑cycle software development experience (requirements, architecture, design, coding, unit test, integration, test support)

• Demonstrated experience leading multiple Agile teams delivering a shared product

• Experience with system integration and test strategies, including integration test environments, test automation, regression testing, and V&V workflows.

• Experience with release planning, approvals, and deployments to production environments.

• Experience managing cost and schedule; CAM (Control Account Manager)

• Ability to obtain and maintain DoD Secret Clearance.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree in STEM or an MBA

• Fifteen (15) years of experience in project or program management, leading people, projects, or programs with software technical teams.

• Demonstrated discipline in meeting cost and schedule targets for technically complex work with experience across all phases of program lifecycle

• Strong background working with cross functional Systems Engineering & SW teams

• Deep expertise in Agile principles, processes, and tooling; hands on use of Jira and Confluence for planning, tracking, and reporting.

• Excellent written and verbal communication ability to all levels of the organization and outside stakeholders

• Excellent conflict management and negotiation skills

• Demonstrated ability to make tough decisions

• Prior experience managing subcontractors

As a leader with integrity, you ensure ethical conduct, balanced results, and partner satisfaction. You respect and nurture growth, fostering a culture of excellence. Skilled in building collaborative teams and customer trust, you communicate well, foster strong teams, and embrace change.

Working at Northrop Grumman is more than just a paycheck. We offer a comprehensive Total Rewards and benefits package designed to help you thrive at work and in life. For more information on our Total Rewards package, please visit our Total Rewards site.

Northrop Grumman Total Rewards

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Primary Level Salary Range: $203,900.00 - $305,900.00

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.

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.