Program Manager 3 - VMS Hardware Manager

Northrop Grumman; Melbourne (KY); On-site; USD 167,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

Northrop Grumman in Melbourne, FL seeks a Program Manager 3 for Vehicle Management Systems (VMS) Hardware Management. Lead multiple suppliers, manage SOWs, and drive program performance in a dynamic, on-site role.

The position requires 10% travel, a Secret clearance, and leadership experience in program management with EVMS/IMS tools. The role emphasizes collaboration with customers and cross-functional teams to deliver mission-ready solutions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in STEM with 9–10 years of related experience or Master’s degree in STEM with 7–8 years.
• Experience in formal leadership roles such as Project Lead or Supplier Management Lead.
• Experience with program management principles including budgeting and scheduling.
• Experience interfacing with suppliers and customers on complex programs.
• Ability to travel domestically ~10% and to obtain/maintain Secret clearance.

Responsibilities

• Manage suppliers to meet program objectives and contract obligations.
• Oversee execution of SOWs and support contract modifications.
• Collaborate with customer, engineering, operations, and stakeholders.
• Ensure adherence to contract scope and manage changes through the control board.
• Measure and report supplier performance relative to program goals.
• Deliver presentations to customers and senior leadership.
• Negotiate contracts, budgets, schedules, and key terms.
• Develop and maintain program baselines and cost/schedule controls.

Skills

Leadership

Program management

Supplier management

Earned Value Management

Budget management

Travel readiness

Contract management

Education

Bachelor's degree in STEM

Master's degree in STEM

Tools

EVMS

Integrated Master Plan/Schedule

JIRA/Confluence

Job description

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.

Please note that this opportunity is contingent on program funding. Start dates are determined after funding confirmation.

Northrop Grumman’s Aeronautics Systems – Research & Advanced Design (R&AD) transforms breakthrough ideas into mission-ready capabilities through intelligent anticipation. We’re the front-end design engine, defining what comes next. From developing cutting-edge next-generation future aircraft to trailblazing collaborative autonomous platforms, we push the boundaries of technology and forge industry-leading partnerships that set new standards for what’s possible.

Our team owns the full lifecycle of advanced concept creation, from visionary early-stage designs and rapid prototyping to high-impact demonstrations and solving the toughest technical challenges in survivability, autonomy, and battle management. We seek curious, adaptable people who thrive on turning intuition into breakthrough solutions. If you’re driven to invent the future, build what’s next, and shape the landscape of national security, this is where you belong.

R&AD is currently seeking a Program Manager 3 to serve as the Vehicle Management Systems (VMS) Hardware Manager with oversight over multiple VMS suppliers. This leadership opportunity is in Melbourne, Florida.

Due to the nature of the role, an on-site presence isrequiredand cannot be performed remotely. The position will follow our 9/80schedule andallows employees who work a nine-hour day Monday through Thursday to take every other Friday off.

Primary responsibilities will include but are not limited to:

• Managing suppliers to meet program objectives
• Enforcement of subcontractor execution of a Statement of Work (SOW) and support of contract modifications as necessary
• Maintaining close collaborative relationships with the customer, suppliers, engineering, operations, and all relevant stakeholders
• Ensuring program team, including suppliers, understands and adheres to contract scope, and manages change through control board activities
• Measuring and reporting supplier performance as it relates to program performance
• Delivering presentations to customers, executive management and other program stakeholders
• Participating in the negotiation of contracts, contract changes, specifications, operating budgets, schedule milestones, and key terms and conditions
• Identification, distribution, tracking, and completion of program requirements
• Establishment and management of the program and subordinate baselines
• Development and adherence to budget baselines utilizing Earned Value Management (EVM) or similar cost & schedule control methodologies and tools
• Adherence to all internal processes, policies, and applicable industry standards
• Development and adherence to master plans and schedules
• Resolves issues in accordance with business objectives, strategies, legal requirements, regulations, contract terms, and company policies

Our Leaders at Northrop Grumman live our values daily and encourage our teams to do the same. We do the right thing: upholding the highest ethical standards andfacilitatinga safe and respectful environment that attracts,retains, and inspires a diverse and engaged team. We do what we promise: holding yourself and others accountable to meet predictable and balanced results. We commit to shared success: operatingas OneNG and removing barriers for our teams. Finally, we pioneer : setting a vision that shapes the future and inspires others.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’sdegree and 10 years (or Bachelor of Science in STEM and 9 years) of related experience as defined below, OR aMaster’sdegree and 8 years (or Master of Science in STEM and 7 years) of related experience as defined below
• Demonstrated experience serving in a formal leadership role such as a Project Lead, Integrated Team Lead, Supplier Management Team Lead, or Cost Account Manager
• Demonstrated experience workingwithProgramManagement principles:managing projects, scheduling, budget management, etc.
• Demonstrated experience managing or interfacing with suppliers
• The ability to travel domestically 10% of the time
• Must have an active US Government Secret clearance (with a background investigation within the past 6 years or enrolled into Continuous Evaluation)
• Must have the ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program (SAP) clearance, within a reasonable amount of time as determined by business needs

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with vehicle management systems, guidance and control systems, flight & safety critical software, and/or systems engineering and architecture design
• Experience managing multiple suppliers through contract award, design, and execution phases
• Experience managing program/projects of > $50 Million / year with P&L responsibilities
• Experience leading cross-functional teams of 5 or more individuals to achieve defined project or organizational objectives, including responsibility for task coordination, performance tracking, and issue resolution.
• Experience using program management tools such as Earned Value Management System (EVMS), Integrated Master Plan (IMP), Integrated Master Schedule (IMS), Risk and Opportunity Management
• Experience utilizing Atlassian tool suite (JIRA/Confluence) for management of agile-based development activity
• Experience producing clear, professional written communications (eg. Reports, briefings, status updates) and delivering verbal presentations to stakeholders at multiple organizational levels, including senior leadership and individual contributors

Primary Level Salary Range: $166,700.00 - $250,100.00

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.

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.