Senior Weapon Systems Development Lead (Secret Clearance)

Northrop Grumman; United States; On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Northrop Grumman is seeking a Weapon Systems Development Lead Level 6 to spearhead cross-functional development for next-generation defense systems in Northridge, CA. You will coordinate hardware and software teams, manage the IFC plan, and ensure delivery across architecture, testing, and certification phases.

The role requires a Secret clearance, on-site work, and strong systems-engineering leadership with a track record in defense programs and MBSE approaches.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering, Software Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Defense Technology or a related field; 14+ years defense/aerospace product development; or Master's with 12+ years; or Ph.D with 10+ years
• 5+ years leading large, multidisciplinary teams of 20+ in a matrix org
• Experience coordinating complex, multi-contract defense programs
• Experience integrating software for real-time, embedded, distributed, mission-critical systems
• Strong requirements development, system architecture, interface management and integration/testing
• Excellent written and verbal communication, ability to brief stakeholders
• Current US Government Secret security clearance

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain the overarching IFC Plan for each product line.
• Translate strategy into detailed IFC plans, schedules, resources.
• Align hardware and software IPTs with IFC schedule and milestones.
• Coordinate baselines across contracts to avoid conflicts.
• Oversee evolution of IFC through architecture, hardware, software design.
• Ensure testing, QA, logistics, and readiness for ground/flight tests.
• Lead certifications and deliver IFC system certificates for tests/ET&E.
• Drive systems engineering leadership across portfolio.
• Own budget, schedule, and performance metrics.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate risks throughout lifecycle.

Skills

Systems engineering leadership

Cross-functional leadership

Requirements development

Architecture & integration

Communication skills

Defense/aerospace domain knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering/SE/CS/EE/Defense Tech

14+ years defense/aerospace product development

Master's with 12+ years experience

Ph.D with 10+ years experience

Tools

DoDAF

MIL-STD-499B

Model-based analysis tools

Job description

Northrop Grumman is seeking a Weapon Systems Development Lead Level 6 to spearhead cross-functional development for next-generation defense systems in Northridge, CA. You will coordinate hardware and software teams, manage the IFC plan, and ensure delivery across architecture, testing, and certification phases.

The role requires a Secret clearance, on-site work, and strong systems-engineering leadership with a track record in defense programs and MBSE approaches.