Mod/Sim Engineering Manager 2: Strategic Programs (Secret) Chandler

Northrop Grumman; United States; On-site; USD 139,000 - 209,000; Full time

Job summary

Northrop Grumman Space Systems is seeking a Modeling and Simulation Manager 2 to guide a multi-discipline team delivering high-fidelity modeling, analysis, and simulations for SBI and GPI missions. The role combines technical leadership with hands-on execution and development of AI-native approaches.

The position is onsite in Chandler, AZ, with a 9/80 schedule and travel up to 10%. A Secret clearance is required to start and relocation assistance may be available.

Qualifications

• Active DoD Secret clearance at time of application.
• 8+ years modeling-and-simulation in aerospace/defense environment; academic/simulation-only experience not sufficient.
• Experience leading GNC, software, M&S projects with execution accountability.
• Ability to standardize and execute engineering efficiency improvements (process, tools, automation).
• At least 5 years of real-world program execution in a complex aerospace/defense environment.
• Ability to work onsite in Chandler, Arizona.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of 22–26 engineers across modeling and simulation, GNC, software, and AI disciplines.
• Provide performance management, coaching, mentoring, and development planning.
• Own and deliver high-fidelity modeling-and-simulation products supporting requirements and decisions.
• Lead hands-on technical execution and review of modeling-and-simulation work.
• Drive AI-native development plan, surrogate modeling, and MVP initiation.

Skills

Modeling & Simulation

Leadership

AI/ML awareness

Python

C++

Linux

GNC

System engineering

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree

5+ years program execution experience

Tools

MATLAB

Simulink

Python

C++

Linux

Job description

Position Summary

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret TRAVEL: Yes, 10% 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. Build the Future of Strategic Defense Expand your horizons, advance your career, and contribute to a secure future for generations.

This position is 100% onsite and cannot accommodate telecommute work.

Northrop Grumman Space Systems is seeking a Modeling and Simulation Manager 2 to support the Weapons Prime Strategic initiative, initially serving the SBI and GPI mission areas. This technical leader will guide a team spanning modeling and simulation, GNC, software, and AI disciplines while remaining closely engaged in hands‑on technical execution. The role will help shape an AI‑native modeling‑and‑simulation development plan and deliver a minimum viable product for an efficiency initiative that supports SBI and GPI. The successful candidate combines professional modeling‑and‑simulation delivery experience with technical leadership, clear communication, program execution discipline, and a genuine commitment to coaching and developing people. This position will work a 9/80 schedule, with every other Friday off.

Your Role and Impact

Lead and develop a team of approximately 22–26 engineers across modeling and simulation, GNC, software, and AI disciplines; align staffing, assignments, recruiting, retention, and development with program execution and strategic growth needs. Provide performance management, coaching, mentoring, feedback, and development planning in alignment with the enterprise review cycle; build an inclusive, accountable, and high‑performing engineering environment. Own and deliver high‑fidelity modeling‑and‑simulation products that support systems requirements development, decomposition, analysis, technical decisions, and program‑relevant outcomes. Lead hands‑on technical execution and review of modeling‑and‑simulation work, including high‑fidelity simulations, analysis environments, complex data analysis, trade studies, and technically sound conclusions for leadership and customers. Drive standardization and execution of modeling‑and‑simulation efficiency initiatives, including automation, advanced analytics, surrogate modeling, and large Monte Carlo campaigns; establish a practical AI‑native development plan and early MVP. Develop, maintain, and apply verification‑and‑validation procedures, scripts, automation, and regression assessment for mission‑critical models and analysis products. Partner with chief engineers, program leaders, and multidisciplinary teams across systems, propulsion, structures, avionics, software, and GNC to integrate solutions into vehicle and mission architectures. Support system‑of‑systems analysis involving vehicles, sensors, ground segments, and command‑and‑control networks as needed to enable mission and program decisions. Communicate technical findings, execution status, risks, and recommendations clearly to engineering leadership, program stakeholders, customers, and cross‑functional partners.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with 8 years of professional experience – OR – Master’s degree with 6 years of professional experience. Will consider an additional 4+ years of experience in lieu of degree.
• Active U.S. Government DoD Secret security clearance at the time of application.
• Professional, hands‑on experience delivering modeling‑and‑simulation work in an aerospace or defense environment; academic or research‑only simulation experience is not sufficient.
• Demonstrated experience leading technical GNC, software, modeling‑and‑simulation, or closely related engineering projects or workstreams, with accountability for execution and outcomes.
• Demonstrated ability to standardize and execute engineering efficiency improvements, such as process, tool, workflow, automation, or analysis improvements.
• Experience supporting program execution in a complex aerospace, defense, or similarly regulated engineering environment, including at least 5 years of real‑world program execution experience.
• Ability to work onsite in Chandler, Arizona.
• Ability to support a first‑shift schedule and travel up to 10% of the time.

Preferred Qualifications

• Functional people‑management experience, including coaching, mentoring, performance management, staffing, and development planning; strong technical leaders with meaningful smaller‑scale leadership experience may be considered.
• Experience with system‑of‑systems analysis across vehicles, sensors, ground segments, command‑and‑control systems, and mission architecture.
• Strong familiarity with missile programs, including missile defense, interceptor, strike, advanced weapons, or related strategic‑defense development.
• Experience with MATLAB, Simulink, Python, C++, and Linux‑based analysis environments.
• Experience with Monte Carlo simulation, high‑performance computing, distributed computing, cloud‑enabled analysis environments, or large‑scale execution frameworks.
• Experience with verification and validation planning, regression automation, and mission‑critical model assessment.
• Experience with surrogate modeling, AI or machine‑learning‑enabled analysis acceleration, advanced analytics, or AI‑native engineering development approaches.
• Experience working effectively across multidisciplinary engineering organizations and communicating with technical and program stakeholders.
• Active DoD Top Secret clearance or higher.

Benefits and Compensation

Primary Level Salary Range: $139,100.00 - $208,700.00 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.

Application Information

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 Employment 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.

About Northrop Grumman

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. Curious about all the exciting developments with the Northrop Grumman Space Sector?

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.