Senior Principal Configuration Data Program Lead

Northrop Grumman; United States; On-site; USD 140,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Northrop Grumman is seeking a Senior Principal Configuration Data Program Lead to own the strategy, architecture, and execution of end-to-end configuration control for technical data and deliverables in MPLM/Teamcenter. You will drive digital transformation of document and data workflows and mentor CM staff.

This embedded leadership role partners with engineering, quality, contracts, and program management to ensure rigor, traceability, and timely approvals for major design reviews and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, Information Systems, or related field; 10+ years of related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Extensive experience in configuration management and data management within aerospace/defense or similarly regulated environments.
• Deep hands-on experience with MPLM and Teamcenter (or comparable PLM tools).
• Proven track record designing and deploying automated digital document/data approval workflows.

Responsibilities

• Lead the configuration management vision and strategy for the program.
• Architect, develop, and maintain MPLM approval workflows for program data products and drawings.
• Own configuration control of program deliverables including SDRLs and directives.
• Establish and manage the program drawing number list and change tracking.
• Migrate from paper-based processes to a fully digital environment and automate workflows.
• Serve as a subject-matter expert on configuration management and data workflows.

Skills

Configuration management

Data governance

Leadership

Process improvement

Data workflows

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, Information Systems, or related field

Tools

MPLM

Teamcenter

PLM tools

Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: No

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.

The Senior Principal Configuration Data Program Lead serves as the program's authority for configuration management and data governance. This role owns the strategy, architecture, and execution of end‑to‑end configuration control for technical data, documentation, and deliverables in digital tools (MPLM/Teamcenter), ensuring rigor, traceability, and timely approvals to support major design reviews and contractual milestones. The successful candidate is an embedded, proactive leader who drives digital transformation of document and data workflows, mentors others, and continuously improves the configuration management discipline across the program.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the configuration management vision and strategy for the program; ensure alignment with customer, program, and enterprise requirements and standards.


• Architect, develop, implement, and maintain MPLM approval workflows for program data products, released documents, and drawings, ensuring efficient, compliant, and auditable processes.


• Own configuration control of program deliverables, including SDRL submittals, program directives, and the program letter log; ensure accurate status, traceability, and on‑time delivery to the customer.


• Establish and manage the program drawing number list, including numbering conventions, issuance, updates, and change tracking.


• Configuration‑manage Objective Quality Evidence (OQE) data products and comprehensive data packages supporting preliminary, intermediate, and major milestone design reviews in MPLM.


• Lead the migration from paper‑based/manual processes to a fully digital environment, including automation of document review and approval workflows and integration with PLM/Teamcenter.


• Serve as an embedded, dedicated member of the program leadership team, partnering with engineering, IPT leads, quality, contracts, and program management to anticipate and meet configuration and data needs.


• Analyze workflow performance and configuration metrics, identify systemic bottlenecks, and drive data‑driven recommendations and implementation plans to improve cycle time, quality, and compliance.


• Ensure robust version control, baselining, and auditability of program configuration items and associated documentation; maintain readiness for internal/external audits and customer reviews.


• Lead preparation for and participation in major design reviews and customer data calls, ensuring all configuration and data artifacts are accurate, complete, and accessible.


• Develop, maintain, and continuously refine configuration management procedures, work instructions, and best practices; provide training, coaching, and technical leadership to program and CM staff.


• Act as a subject‑matter expert and advisor on configuration management and digital data workflows, contributing to broader organizational initiatives and process standardization.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, Information Systems, or related field and 10+ years of related experience; 8+ years with a Master's ; or an equivalent combination of education and experience consistent with Senior Principal level.


• Extensive experience in configuration management, data management, or program/engineering documentation control within aerospace, defense, or a similarly regulated environment.


• Deep, hands‑on experience with MPLM and/or Teamcenter (or comparable PLM tools) for managing product data, documents, workflows, and approvals.


• Proven track record designing and deploying automated, digital document/data approval workflows, including optimization for efficiency and compliance.


• Demonstrated experience leading CM efforts on complex, multi‑stakeholder programs, including management of SDRLs, directives, and formal correspondence logs.


• Strong leadership, communication, and collaboration skills, with the ability to influence and drive change across engineering, quality, and program management organizations.


• Demonstrated ability to operate independently, take ownership of issues, and drive them to closure, while maintainin