Rapid Capabilities Lab Manager

Northrop Grumman; Melbourne (KY); On-site; USD 105,000 - 157,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

9/80 schedule

401K matching

Paid time off (PTO)

Job summary

Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems in Melbourne, FL seeks an Engineering Manager 1 to lead the Rapid Capabilities Lab within the Center of Technical Excellence. You will oversee lab fabrication, test support equipment, and multi‑program logistics.

The role requires an active Top Secret clearance, experience with lab and manufacturing controls, and proven leadership of cross‑functional teams. Northrop Grumman offers strong benefits, a 9/80 schedule, and growth across aerospace programs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree with 5 years of military or civilian aircraft or lab maintenance experience, or Master’s with 3 years military experience, or HS diploma with 9 years related experience.
• Active Top Secret US Government clearance (BI within past 6 years or Continuous Evaluation).
• Experience with lab, manufacturing, quality controls, inspection or non-conformance controls, including fabrication of cable and mechanical assemblies.
• Proven experience leading projects or teams and interfacing with senior leadership.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate with program engineering and project management to meet build milestones.
• Ensure fidelity and standards across multiple cost centers.
• Provide build estimates and forecasting.
• Leverage support groups for test execution.
• Support recruitment activities and offers.
• Mentor and develop team members; provide training plans.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Communication

Team mentoring

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in relevant field

Master’s Degree (optional)

High School Diploma + 9 years experience

Tools

JIRA

EPS/SAP

CPLM

Job description

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.

Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems has an opening for an Engineering Manager 1 to join our team of qualified, diverse individuals within our Test and Evaluation organization. This leadership position will be located onsite in Melbourne, FL.

As a leader, you always act with integrity, and the highest ethical standards characterize everything you do. You enable your team to achieve predictable and balanced results, while satisfying the needs of internal and external partners. You treat all people with respect, and you model personal growth and continuous development. You know how to build an inclusive environment that attracts, retains, and inspires a diverse and engaged team. You develop trusted and valued customer relationships and communicate effectively, so that people throughout the organization feel engaged and connected to their work. You deliver excellence, strive for continuous improvement and respond vigorously to change.

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 and facilitating a 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: operating as OneNG and removing barriers for our teams.
• We pioneer: setting a vision that shapes the future and inspires others.

The selected candidate is responsible for the execution of the lab fabrication SOW within the Rapid Capabilities Lab (RCL) under the Center of Technical Excellence (CoTE). The candidate will support across multiple cost centers and manage a diverse team of engineers and technicians in completing lab and test support equipment, meet strict delivery schedules, coordinate multi-program logistics, and provide forecasting for future build requirements. In addition, the selected candidate will be required to provide career guidance and functional directions to members of the Lab Test team.

Essential Functions

• Coordinate with program engineering and project management to execute to their build requirements and milestones
• Ensure fidelity and standards across the multiple cost centers
• Provide build estimates and forecasting
• Leverage support groups to assist the team with test execution
• Support recruitment activities including the creation of requisitions, conduct interviews, and approve job offers
• Provide team with career development recommendations, mentoring, and training plans based off individual and program needs
• Leverage excellent communication, interpersonal skills, and the ability to interface with all levels of employees and management

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree with 5 years of military or civilian aircraft or lab maintenance experience OR Master’s Degree with 3 years military experience OR a High School Diploma/GED and 9 years of related professional/military experience.
• Must have ability to obtain an active Top Secret US Government clearance (with a background investigation within the past 6 years or enrolled into Continuous Evaluation)
• Experience with lab, manufacturing, quality controls, inspection and/or non-conformance controls – including and hands-on fabrication of cable assemblies and mechanical assemblies
• Prior Experience leading projects or teams, interacting with senior leadership and cross-functional teams.
• Experience with Engineering drawings, CPLM, JIRA, and EPS/SAP
• Ability to read engineering documentation, inspect drawings and parts lists, inspection plans, and supplemental instructions.

Preferred Qualifications

• Has an active Top Secret / PAR
• Bachelor’s Degree in a Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) discipline from 9 years of related professional/military aerospace experience OR Master’s Degree in a STEM discipline AND 7 years of related professional/military aerospace experience
• Experience working logistics efforts
• Experience in Earned Value Management Systems (EVMS)
• FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) License
• Technical project management experience with proven successful execution of technical projects to cost and schedule targets.
• Experience managing complex administrative tasks across multiple programs.

We offer phenomenal learning opportunities, exposure to a wide variety of projects and customers, and a very friendly inclusive environment! We are looking for self-motivated, proactive, and goal-oriented people to help us grow our services and become even better at what we do.

At Northrop Grumman, we are on the cutting edge of innovation– building the next generation of sophisticated products to protect our country. Our diverse portfolio of programs means there are endless paths to cultivate your career. We are well known for our inclusive, family environment, as well as our excellent work/life balance. We also offer exceptional benefits, a 9/80 schedule, and a great 401K matching program.

Primary Level Salary Range: $104,500.00 - $156,700.00

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.

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.