Manager Programs 1

0090 CORP-Corporate Office; United States; On-site; USD 133,000 - 199,600; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid time off

Education assistance

Job summary

Northrop Grumman is seeking a Manager, Programs Level 1 for its Mission Systems Sector in San Diego, CA. This role will lead a key hardware development program within a classified portfolio. The manager will oversee all phases of program life cycle and establish customer relationships to develop future opportunities.

Qualified candidates should have a Bachelors's degree and significant experience managing government contracts, with a focus on risk management and performance initiatives. Additional benefits include health plans and a competitive salary range of $133,000.00 - $199,600.00.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree and 5+ years relevant experience or Master’s and 3+ years.
• Experience managing multiple tasks in independent and team environments.
• Experience in program management for government contracts.

Responsibilities

• Manage all phases of the program life cycle from inception through completion.
• Lead cross-functional Integrated Program Teams to meet performance goals.
• Develop new business opportunities through long-term planning.

Skills

Leadership of multi-disciplinary teams

Risk and opportunity management

Effective communication skills

Program life cycle management

Customer relationship management

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Master’s Degree in a relevant field

Job description

Job Overview

Northrop Grumman’s Mission System (NGMS) Sector is seeking a Manager, Programs Level 1, based in San Diego, CA. The role supports the Fighter Networked Systems (FNS) Operating Unit within the Navigation, Intelligence and Connectivity Solutions (NICS) Division and will lead a key hardware development program and strategic investments within a classified portfolio.

Relocation assistance: None. Travel: Required, approximately 10% of the time.

Responsibilities

Program managers are responsible for managing all phases of the program life cycle from inception (proposal development) through startup, execution, and completion (contract closeout). The individual will lead a cross‑functional organization aligned to common program performance goals. Primary responsibilities include:

• Prioritizing cost, schedule, and technical performance in alignment with higher‑level strategic direction.
• Cultivating customer and internal stakeholder relationships and intimacy to develop further opportunities within the customer community.
• Developing new business opportunities through long‑term planning, capture planning, and proposal development.
• Establishing a program organization that effectively addresses requirements and incorporates necessary internal and external sub‑organizations.
• Leading and directing cross‑functional Integrated Program Teams (IPT) to meet program cost, schedule, and technical performance objectives.
• Measuring and reporting program performance through qualitative and quantitative methods.
• Identifying and delegating corrective action plans to maintain or improve program performance.
• Delivering presentations to customers, executive management, and other stakeholders.
• Negotiating contracts, including changes, specifications, budgets, schedule milestones, and key terms.
• Identifying, tracking, and completing program requirements.
• Delivering predictable financial performance for contract or NCTA activities through baseline management.
• Allocating and managing program resources, including workforce planning.
• Managing government‑supplied property or information (GFE, CFE, etc.).
• Ensuring adherence to internal processes, policies, and industry standards.
• Establishing and managing a change control board aligned with the contract Statement of Work.
• Conducting risk and opportunity management practices, including risk declaration, mitigation planning, and execution.

Qualifications

Basic qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree and at least 5 years of relevant professional experience, or Master’s Degree and at least 3 years of relevant experience, supporting U.S. Government contracts and customers, or program management in a related industry.
• Demonstrated experience managing multiple concurrent tasks or workstreams and meeting deadlines in both independent and team environments.
• Experience supporting internal IRAD or externally funded U.S. Government R&D programs, including model/simulation, testing, or field demonstration.
• Experience leading performance initiatives as Project Lead, IPT Lead, CAM, or Program Manager.
• Experience applying risk and opportunity management processes, including risk identification, mitigation planning, and status reporting.
• Leadership of multi‑disciplinary teams across functional organizations (engineering, supply chain, finance, etc.).
• Proficiency in written and verbal deliverables, including reports, documentation, and stakeholder communications.
• U.S. citizenship required.
• Active DoD Secret clearance required and ability to obtain and maintain access to Special Access Programs (SAP).

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s in a STEM discipline (e.g., Systems, Aerospace, Mechanical, Software, Industrial Engineering) or related field.
• Experience managing or supporting project execution for sensor systems programs (airborne radar, electronic warfare, RF architectures).
• Primary customer interface experience in development program or project execution activities, coordinating government and internal stakeholders.
• Experience preparing and delivering written and oral briefings to customers and senior leadership.
• Experience analyzing and applying Earned Value Management (EVM) metrics and relationships, such as ACWP vs. BCWP, headcount-to-BCWP, cost/schedule variance analysis.
• CAM certification or equivalent experience, and utilization of EVM principles (cost forecasting, variance analysis, EAC development).
• Baseline experience with level‑1 EVMS programs; support capacity experience acceptable.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including briefings, cross‑functional coordination, and customer/executive communication.
• Proven ability to build, maintain, and manage effective relationships across cross‑functional teams, customers, suppliers, and stakeholders.
• Active SAP clearance and experience supporting SAP environments.

Benefits & Compensation

Health plan, savings plan, paid time off, and additional benefits such as education assistance, training and development, 9/80 work schedule (where available), and more. Primary level salary range: $133,000.00 - $199,600.00. Possible eligibility for overtime, shift differential, discretionary bonus, and long‑term incentives for VP/Director positions. Additional benefits include health insurance, life and disability insurance, savings plan, company‑paid holidays and paid time off.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Northrop Grumman is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Decisions are made 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. U.S. citizenship is required for positions with a government clearance. For full EEO and pay transparency statement, please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO.