Staff Chief Engineer

Northrop Grumman; Florida; On-site; USD 153,000 - 229,000; Full time

Job summary

Northrop Grumman Mission Systems in Apopka, FL, seeks a Staff Chief Engineer to lead cross‑functional teams in design, integration, and test of laser and optical systems for handheld, ground, and airborne products. The role emphasizes technical leadership, program management, and collaboration across sectors.

The candidate should have 12+ years of relevant experience with a STEM degree (or 10+ with a Master’s), and a DoD Secret clearance eligibility. U.S. Citizenship required for government work.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of experience with a Bachelor's in STEM, or 10+ years with a Master’s.
• Proven technical lead experience and leadership in program offices or IPTs.
• Experience in systems development, integration, and test of EO/IR or electronic systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead cross‑functional engineering teams through proposal, design, and delivery phases.
• Develop and manage budgets and schedules with EVMS, EACs, and workload forecasts.
• Interface with departments to secure staffing and support proposals with customers.
• Brief leadership and customers on progress and contribute to design reviews and requirements.

Skills

Technical leadership

Project leadership

Systems engineering

DoD knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in STEM

Master’s degree in STEM

Tools

EVMS

CAM

Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be availableCLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: NoCLEARANCE TYPE: SecretTRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the TimeDescriptionAt 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.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 Mission Systems (NGMS) has an immediate opportunity for a Staff Chief Engineer, supporting the Mission Systems organization. This is role encompassing technical competency, and team leadership. This position is in Apopka, FL. This position is to support and lead engineering design, integration, test, and production of laser and optical systems for handheld, ground, and airborne products.This candidate will demonstrate a broad skill set that is balanced between interpersonal, leadership, and technical capabilities. The direct program responsibilities may include mission engineering, system architecture development, requirements development/management, system design/analysis, modeling & simulation, model-based systems engineering, IPT/product owner leadership, integration and test, specialties engineering, or other appropriate technical functions. They must be a self-starter, able to efficiently operate in a team environment, and collaborate across the sector’s business areas as required to accomplish the team goals. The candidate will work closely with other engineers across multiple disciplines.Roles and Responsibilities:Lead and direct cross-functional engineering teams during proposal, design, manufacturing, and delivery phases of products in development and production phasesDevelop and execute project budgets and schedules, including Earned Value Management System (EVMS), critical path management, Estimates-at-Completion (EACs), and workload forecastsInterface with functional departments to secure team staffingWork with suppliers and be able to articulate project requirementsBrief internal and customer leadership on progress of work assignedSupport writing technical specifications, Statements of Work (SOWs), design reviews (e.g. SRR, SDR, PDR, CDR, TRR TIMs, etc.) and capture/proposal activities.Develop and maintain relationships with internal and external customers, homerooms and sectors.Develop proposal inputs and review proposal content for both internal and external customers.Lead or support department initiatives, technology roadmap creation, cross-campus/sector involvement, and IRAD project leadership.Basic Qualifications:12+ years of relevant experience with a Bachelor's degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, or related technical fields; OR 10 years of relevant experience with a Master’s Degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, or related technical fields.Experience as technical lead, Integrated Product Team Lead, or other leadership role in a program office or business function with demonstrated team building, organizational, and interpersonal skills.Demonstrated technical leadership skills, decisiveness, and ability to make sound technical judgments with limited information.Experience in systems development, integration, and test of complex EO/IR or electronic systemsU.S. Citizenship with the ability to obtain and maintain a minimum of a Department of Defense (DoD) Secret Security clearancePreferred Qualifications:Experience as an Engineering Program Manager, Integrated Product Team (IPT) lead, and/or Chief EngineerFluency with developing and executing project schedulesExperience as a Control Account Manager (CAM) on DoD projectsExperience in design development of Optical, Imager, Laser Rangefinder, Laser Designator, Electronic Warfare, Military, or Space TechnologiesActive Secret ClearancePrimary Level Salary Range: $152,900.00 - $229,300.00The 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.