Director of Programs 2 – Deputy and Site Leader

Northrop Grumman; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 266,000 - 400,000; Full time

Job summary

Northrop Grumman Corp. in Northridge, California, is seeking a Director 2 – Deputy and Site Leader to steer the Advanced Weapons BU’s operations and growth. You will work with the BU VP to ensure cost, schedule, and technical performance across development and production programs.

The role requires a Bachelor’s degree and 15+ years of management in manufacturing and operations, with strong leadership and strategic planning abilities, a U.S. citizen with active clearance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required in engineering, business, or related discipline.
• 15+ years of related experience with tenure in a comparable management position.
• Proven ability to manage revenue, operating margin, and cash performance.
• Experience with fixed‑price and cost‑plus contracts and disciplined cost management.
• Strong communication skills across all management levels.

Responsibilities

• Deputize for the AW BU VP and Site Leader to ensure continuity of leadership and decisions.
• Provide P&L leadership for a portfolio of development and production programs.
• Drive execution across proposals, planning, development, tests, production, and integration.
• Monitor revenue, margins, cash, and AOP metrics; support strategic plans.
• Lead workforce planning, mentoring, and talent strategies; foster inclusive culture.
• Oversee Northridge site operations, safety, compliance, and employee engagement.
• Develop relationships with DoD and international customers; represent site externally.

Skills

Leadership

Program management

Financial acumen

Strategic thinking

Communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering, business, or related discipline

Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes

CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret

TRAVEL: Yes, 25% of the Time

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 is seeking a Director 2 – Deputy and Site Leader to support leadership of the Advanced Weapons (AW) Business Unit in Northridge, California. This role serves as the primary deputy to the AW BU Vice President and Site Leader for the Northridge location, providing day‑to‑day leadership support for BU operations and helping drive both execution excellence and business growth.

The Advanced Weapons BU designs, develops, and manufactures missiles and advanced weapon systems. The business is growing rapidly, fueled by long‑term strategic plans, technology and capital investments, and a strong commitment to execution excellence. The AW team supports national security by delivering advanced weapon systems for DoD customers and U.S. allies.

The Deputy and Site Leader will partner closely with the AW BU VP to manage a diverse portfolio of programs from development through production, with a focus on cost, schedule, technical performance, and growth. The role also supports oversight of all facets of the Northridge site, including program execution, safety, security, maintenance, compliance, and employee engagement.

Key Responsibilities

Advanced Weapons Business & Program Leadership

• Serve as the primary deputy to the AW BU VP and Site Leader, acting on their behalf as needed to ensure continuity of leadership, decision‑making, and communication.
• Support profit and loss (P&L) leadership for the Advanced Weapons BU across a portfolio of development and production programs.
• Drive execution excellence across proposals, program planning, development, test, production, and integration of missile and advanced weapon systems.
• Monitor and help manage revenue, operating margin, cash, and other key performance metrics; support development and achievement of the Annual Operating Plan (AOP).
• Support strategic capture activities (domestic and international) to ensure Advanced Weapons is positioned to compete and win.
• Lead or support disciplined cost management and risk/opportunity management across the AW portfolio.

People, Culture & Organizational Development

• Lead and develop a high‑performing team of program management and functional leaders in partnership with the AW BU VP.
• Support workforce planning and talent strategies to attract, develop, and retain current and future key talent within Advanced Weapons.
• Foster a culture of inclusion, safety, teamwork, and continuous improvement aligned with Northrop Grumman values and AW culture.
• Help the organization navigate ambiguity by driving clarity in priorities, roles, and expectations; communicate decisions, changes, and strategic direction effectively.
• Coach and mentor leaders and team members, reinforcing accountability, engagement, and ownership.

Northridge Site Operations & Compliance

• Support day‑to‑day oversight of AW operations in collaboration with Operations, Engineering, Quality, Mission Assurance, EHS, Security, HR and other functional partners.
• Help ensure facility compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, including environmental, safety, labor law, security, and any applicable energetics/hazardous operations requirements.
• Assist in planning and prioritizing capital investments, facility sustainment, and modernization initiatives to support Advanced Weapons growth and long‑term capability.
• Promote and reinforce a strong safety culture, ensuring safe execution of all operations and timely resolution of safety and quality issues.

Customer, Stakeholder & Cross‑Enterprise Engagement

• Develop and maintain trusted relationships with key DoD and international customers and partners; support customer meetings, reviews, and issue resolution.
• Represent the Northridge site and Advanced Weapons BU, as delegated, with internal leadership, customers, and external stakeholders.
• Partner effectively across the Weapon Systems Division, Defense Systems sector, and other sectors to leverage resources, tools, and best practices.
• Coordinate with other AW and Weapon Systems sites and teams to ensure alignment on strategy, execution, and shared capabilities.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, business, or related discipline.
• 15+ years of related experience with tenure in a comparable management position overseeing diverse portfolios of programs and products.
• Demonstrated management experience leading teams that include manufacturing and operations personnel in a production and development environment.
• Proven ability to manage revenue, operating margin, and cash performance for programs or business segments.
• Experience with fixed‑price and cost‑plus contracts and disciplined cost management.
• Demonstrated experience leading Integrated Product/Program Teams, managing complex schedules and technical baselines, and delivering on cost, schedule, and technical commitments.
• Strong formal and informal communication skills with all levels of internal and external management.
• Demonstrated ability to operate and lead in a team environment and to teach/mentor others to manage in the same way.
• Proven ability to resolve disputes and negotiate with positive outcomes while maintaining strong customer relationships.
• Demonstrated ability to make sound decisions and exercise judgment that balances customer needs and Northrop Grumman business objectives.
• Experience managing risk to reduce the likelihood and severity of program impacts.
• U.S. Citizen.
• Active Secret or Secret/SAP clearance, or the ability to obtain and maintain one.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in a deputy, site leadership, or P&L leadership role within missile, advanced weapons, or energetics‑related businesses.
• Familiarity with products, technologies, and customers of the Advanced Weapons Business Unit.
• Strategic planning and capture experience with proven results.
• Program Management or Functional Management experience with proven execution performance across multiple medium‑to‑large‑scale systems.
• Strong financial acumen, including portfolio‑level planning and investment decision‑making.
• Management experience in operations with a high degree of configuration management and complex product integration.
• Experience with energetics and hazardous operations, including compliance with applicable federal and state regulations.
• Demonstrated background of effective stakeholder engagement/campaigns with the Pentagon, Capitol Hill, and/or key customer organizations.
• Active Top Secret or Top Secret/SCI clearance, or the ability to obtain and maintain one.
• PMI/PMI‑ACP or equivalent Program Management training/certification.

Behavioral Competencies for Success

• Building Effective Teams
• Managing Vision and Purpose
• Strategic Ability / Strategic Agility
• Innovation Management
• Execution & Drive for Results
• Critical Thinking and Sound Judgment
• Customer Focus
• Collaboration and Influence Across Sites and Functions

Primary Level Salary Range: $266,300.00 - $399,500.00

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, skills and education, 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.

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.