Systems Engineer Level 5 - Program Engineering Lead

Northrop Grumman; United States; On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Travel 10%

Job summary

Northrop Grumman Launch Systems Division in Chandler, Arizona, seeks a Systems Engineer Level 5 - Program Engineering Lead to oversee engineering execution, cost, and schedule for a high-visibility program. You will collaborate with Engineering Leads, Program Management, and Manufacturing to drive outcomes and mitigate risks across diverse teams.

The role requires a DoD Secret clearance and extensive experience interfacing with stakeholders, delivering technical briefings, and managing

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in STEM with 12+ years of experience, or Master's with 10+ years, or PhD with 8+ years.
• U.S. Citizenship is required.
• Active DoD Secret security clearance required.
• Experience leading multi-disciplinary engineering teams on hardware/software integrated systems.
• Proven track record as a CAM or equivalent with scope, cost, and schedule ownership.
• Knowledge of Earned Value Management (EVM) principles and metrics (CPI, SPI, variance analysis).

Responsibilities

• Lead an engineering team in a high-visibility, fast-paced program environment.
• Drive technical solutions and risk mitigation to ensure program success.
• Provide clear communication to internal and external stakeholders at all levels.
• Maintain high standards with attention to detail and strong written/verbal communication.
• Oversee hardware deliveries and serve as vehicle manager during launch campaigns.

Skills

Engineering leadership

IPTs

Control Account Manager

Earned Value Management

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in STEM

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.

Northrop Grumman Launch Systems Division is hiring a Systems Engineer Level 5 - Program Engineering Lead , located in Chandler, Arizona.

Role Overview:

You will be responsible for engineering execution including the technical, cost, and schedule performance of engineering scope. You will collaborate with the engineering groups to understand and implement the program goals to support overall program success. You will work with your team leads to understand risks, drive technical solutions and identify and execute risk mitigation activities. You will monitor engineering performance (milestones, staffing, earned value) and lead variance analysis and recovery planning with Program Management and Business Management. The successful candidate will have demonstrated experience interacting with diverse teams, communicating effectively with technical and non-technical stakeholders, and operating successfully within both classified and unclassified environments.

What You'll Get To Do:

• Lead a High-Performing Team: Coordinate an engineering team in a high-visibility and fast-paced program environment. Collaborate with diverse groups including Engineering Leads, Program Management, Manufacturing, and Mission Assurance teams.
• Solve Complex Challenges and Launch Targets: Apply your organizational and technical problem-solving skills to ensure successful hardware deliveries as well as serve as the vehicle manager during launch campaigns.
• Communicate at all Levels: Provide technical leadership and support for internal and external executive briefings, including program updates, engineering reviews, and risk management discussions.
• Maintain High Standards: Thrive in a high-expectation environment, demonstrating initiative, meticulous attention to detail, and polished verbal and written communication skills.

Roles and Responsibilities

Leadership and Team Management:

• Serve as the technical and leadership authority for the engineering team, delivering on challenging performance, schedule, and cost objectives.
• Engage, inspire, and guide cross-functional teams to achieve program milestones, ensuring clear communication and strong alignment across all stakeholders.
• Proactively manage team assignments, workloads, mentorship, and collaboration across internal teams and external partnerships.
• Lead long-range hardware development planning to support technology maturation and new capability development, ground and flight test activities, and software qualification and deployment.

Stakeholder Management and Communication:

• Serve as the primary technical interface for internal and external stakeholders, preparing and delivering clear communication on risks, trade-offs, decisions, and successes.
• Partner with internal program management and external stakeholders to align technical requirements and delivery schedules with program milestones.
• Foster collaborative, trust-based relationships with internal and external partners to maintain alignment and ensure mission success.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree with 12 years of experience, master's degree with 10 years of experience or Ph.D. with 8 years of experience in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, or related technical fields.
• U.S. Citizenship is required.
• Must have an active DoD Secret security clearance.
• Demonstrated multi-disciplinary engineering leadership on complex hardware/ software integrated systems.
• Proven experience as a Control Account Manager (CAM) or equivalent role, responsible for scope, cost, and schedule.
• Working knowledge and practical application of Earned Value Management (EVM) principles and metrics (e.g., CPI, SPI, variance analysis).
• Experience leading or co-leading Integrated Product Teams (IPTs) or cross-functional technical teams.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including experience preparing and delivering technical presentations to internal and external stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Significant experience with missile systems or ot