Program Manager 2 - ESPAStar Product Line

Northrop Grumman; Gilbert (AZ); On-site; USD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Northrop Grumman’s Space Sector seeks a Program Manager Level 2 to support the ESPAStar product line, coordinating with NCTA and proposals. You will lead diverse teams across engineering, operations, and business management to ensure delivery on cost, schedule, and technical goals.

The ideal candidate has 8+ years in government contracts, active Top-Secret/SCI clearance, and strong communication skills to brief leadership and technical staff in a matrixed organization.

Qualifications

• Active Top-Secret/SCI clearance at time of application.
• 8+ years supporting U.S. Government contracts or 6+ with a Master's.
• Experience leading complex aerospace or space systems projects.
• Ability to manage budgets, schedules, and technical objectives.
• Experience in matrixed organizations and cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead program management for ESPAStar product line investments.
• Collaborate with senior engineering teams to guide R&D toward customer-funded transitions.
• Plan, budget, and track cost, schedule, and technical objectives.
• Present status, risks, and recommendations to leadership.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder communication

Matrixed organization

Cross-functional leadership

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/related field

Master's degree in related field

Tools

EVMS concepts

Backlog management

Sprints / Kanban

Job description

Northrop Grumman’s Space Sector is looking for a Program Manager Level 2 to support the Space Superiority Division, ESPAStar Product Line Organization NCTA and Proposal Manager. This position requires a broad understanding of U.S. Government aerospace products/systems and/or missions/operations as well as experience in leading project teams. The ideal candidate will possess knowledge and experience in at least one of the following: Spacecraft Design, Spacecraft/Component Integration and Test (I&T), Payload design and I&T, Launch Vehicle Integration, Space Mission Operations, or Space Ground Systems.

This role serves as the ESPAStar Product Line focal point for planning and executing NCTA investments across the portfolio while providing program management leadership for key technology maturation and demonstration efforts. A key aspect of this influential position will involve collaborating with senior engineering teams to identify, prioritize, and guide internal research and development efforts to successfully transition advanced technologies into solutions ready for customer funded research and development efforts or direct implementation on contracts.

The successful candidate will have demonstrated experience leading diverse teams, communicating effectively with technical and non-technical stakeholders, and operating successfully within both classified and unclassified environments.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, Computer Science, Business, or related discipline with 8 years of supporting U.S. Government contracts and customers, or Masters Degree with 6 years of experience supporting U.S. Government contracts and customers.
• Must possess an active/current Top-Secret/SCI at time of application.
• 5+ years of relevant experience in engineering, project management, or program management supporting complex aerospace or space systems.
• Experience managing technical projects or investment portfolios, including planning, budgeting, and tracking execution against cost, schedule, and technical objectives.
• Solid technical background with the ability to understand spacecraft/space system architectures, payloads, and subsystem-level trade studies (or similar complex technical domains).
• Demonstrated ability to work in a matrixed organization, build relationships, and influence without direct authority.
• Demonstrated experience leading cross functional teams (engineering, operations, business management, supply chain, etc.) to deliver on project or program objectives.
• Experience applying project performance management tools and methods (e.g., schedules, metrics dashboards, EVMS concepts, or equivalent) to monitor health of projects.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including experience presenting status, risks, and recommendations to leadership and technical teams.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Proven ability to challenge existing processes and documentation practices constructively, and to drive consensus toward more efficient, modern ways of working.
• Demonstrated experience identifying and implementing process improvements or affordability initiatives (e.g., cycle time reductions, waste elimination, standardization of templates/workflows).
• Experience with agile or incremental development approaches (e.g., iterative design reviews, backlog management, sprints, or Kanban) in a hardware or mixed hardware/software environment.