Director of Programs 1 - Passive Sensors

Northrop Grumman; United States; On-site; USD 224,000 - 337,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Life insurance

Disability insurance

Savings plan

Paid holidays

PTO

Job summary

Northrop Grumman Space Systems in Redondo Beach, CA seeks a Program Director 1 to lead the Passive Sensors Programs portfolio. You will manage all phases of the program life cycle in a classified environment, with P&L responsibility.

The role requires a bachelor’s degree with 10+ years in defense program management, cross-functional leadership, and US Government contracts experience. Active TS/SCI clearance is required. On-site work with relocation may be offered.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and 10+ years of program management experience in defense or aerospace.
• Proven experience leading diverse, cross-functional teams to execute a vision and strategy.
• Strong track record of disciplined program execution including risk management and performance to plan.
• Experience with U.S. government contracts and acquisition processes.
• Customer shaping and engagement experience; excellent communication and collaboration skills.
• Active TS/SCI clearance at time of application.

Responsibilities

• Lead the program life cycle from inception to closeout in a classified environment.
• Serve as prime system integrator on a major proposal and lead design reviews and execution.
• Develop staffing plans and build a high-performing program management team.
• Drive risk management, issue resolution, and delivery of cost, schedule, and technical performance.

Skills

Leadership/vision

Cross-functional leadership

Risk management

Team leadership

Government contracts

Customer engagement

Communication

Security clearance

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes CLEARANCE TYPE: Interim Top 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. At Northrop Grumman, you will have the opportunity to work on revolutionary systems that safeguard our nation and shape the future of space. From the first flight across the Atlantic, to stealth technology, to landing on the moon, our pioneering spirit has fueled many of our nation’s greatest technological achievements. We’re looking for bold, mission‑driven leaders who bring new ideas, courage, and a passion for solving the hardest problems. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity, and bringing your whole self to work. Our employees are not only part of history — they’re making history.

Northrop Grumman Space Systems (NGSP) is seeking a Program Director 1

to lead the Passive Sensors Programs portfolio within the Surveillance and Targeting Business Unit (S&T BU). This is a high‑visibility, high‑impact leadership role based in Redondo Beach, CA. This position is 100% on-site.

Overview

As Program Director, you will be responsible for all phases of the program life cycle—from inception (proposal development) through startup, execution, and completion (contract closeout). You will manage this program in a classified environment, with responsibility for both profit & loss (P&L) performance and strategic growth.

Role and Responsibilities

Lead a restricted space program from conceptual design through Systems Requirements Review and multiple Design Reviews for a future National System. Serve as the prime system integrator on a major proposal for a strategic National System. Upon award, lead the program through design completion, fabrication, integration, test, delivery, and operations.

Key responsibilities include:

• Set a Vision Develop and clearly communicate a compelling vision for shaping, growing, and enabling customer satisfaction and program success.
• Define strategic objectives and roadmaps that align with customer missions and NGSP business goals.
• Build a High‑Performing Team Partner with functional leaders to build, develop, and retain critical talent across engineering, operations, and program management.
• Formulate and execute staffing plans that achieve financial and programmatic objectives.
• Create an inclusive environment that encourages collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Take Ownership of Execution Lead a diverse, multidisciplinary team to meet cost, schedule, and technical performance commitments.
• Drive disciplined program execution, including risk management, issue resolution, and performance to plan.
• Communicate progress, challenges, and recovery plans with clarity and conciseness to internal and external stakeholders.
• Lead with Courage and Influence Instill a culture of empowerment and accountability that enables the team to meet or exceed obligations.
• Build strong, trust‑based relationships with customers, industry partners, and internal organizations—and leverage those relationships to advance program objectives.
• Advocate for the program across a broad stakeholder community to secure alignment, resources, and timely decisions.
• Respond to Challenges with Resilience Perform proactive risk and opportunity management, identifying and addressing issues before they impact mission or performance.
• Develop and implement mitigation and recovery plans that maintain forward momentum and customer confidence.
• Act with Speed Make timely, data‑driven decisions, engaging division and sector leadership as needed.
• Implement process improvements and strategic initiatives that increase execution velocity, efficiency, and affordability.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and 10+ years of program or project management experience in the defense or aerospace segment, with responsibility for both execution and growth of a diverse program or new business portfolio
• Proven experience leading diverse, cross‑functional teams (program and functional) to develop and execute a vision and business strategy that achieves or exceeds program performance and financial objectives
• Strong track record of disciplined program execution, including risk management, issue resolution, and performance to plan
• Ability to build, develop, and lead program management teams, including effective delegation, coaching, and succession planning
• Demonstrated experience with U.S. government contracts and the acquisition processes in Aerospace and/or Defense Industries either in capture or proposals
• Established expertise in customer shaping and engagement, including developing strategies and win themes to position for future opportunities
• Exceptional communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to influence across organizational boundaries and at executive levels
• Active TS/SCI clearance at the time of application

Preferred Qualifications

• 15+ years of experience managing complex programs and/or portfolios with significant new business capture and growth responsibilities
• Knowledge of Northrop Grumman internal processes, procedures, and organizational structure
• Demonstrated ability to develop and present strategies, business cases, and program status to senior customer and internal executive audiences
• Strong understanding and broad application of complex engineering systems (engineering standards, configuration management, material review board, process control, tooling, facilities, hardware, etc.)
• Strong oral and written communication skills, including demonstrated experience with high value customer presentations, with ability to focus on multiple projects with competing priorities
• Experience in working closely with customers to ensure delivery of systems that meet warfighter needs

Primary Level Salary Range

$224,300.00 - $336,500.00 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 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.

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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.