Systems Engineer Level 6 - Flight Algorithm IPT lead

Northrop Grumman; Chandler (AZ); On-site; USD 167,000 - 250,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Total Rewards package

Health insurance

Paid time off (PTO)

Job summary

Northrop Grumman is seeking a Systems Engineer Level 6 - Flight Algorithm IPT lead in Chandler, Arizona, to guide algorithm teams in designing intercept capabilities for hypersonic systems.

This high-visibility role requires technical leadership, program management, and strong understanding of guidance, control, and system integration to balance cost, schedule, and technical challenges and ensure program milestones are met.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with 14 years of experience, or Master's with 12 years, or PhD with 10 years in STEM fields; exception: 4 years for degree in lieu of required years.
• U.S Citizenship is required.
• Must have an active US Government Secret Clearance and ability to obtain SAP.
• Experience leading technical teams and IPT leadership on a program.

Responsibilities

• Lead technical, cost, schedule, and resource execution for IPT activities.
• Collaborate with IPT leads to understand program needs and drive schedules.
• Identify risks and implement mitigation and technical solutions.
• Support ground and flight test operations to deliver milestones.

Skills

Technical leadership

Team leadership

Program management

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

PhD

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 Vehicles Division is hiring a Systems Engineer Level 6 - Flight Algorithm IPT lead, located in Chandler, Arizona. This high-visibility position requires a technical and leadership expert capable of guiding the algorithm teams to design, integrate, and deliver cutting‑edge algorithms to deliver intercept capabilities in a hypersonic environment. The ideal candidate will have strong broad development experience with a deep understanding of interceptor tracking, guidance and control algorithm and hypersonic system challenges, and proven program management abilities to balance cost, schedule, and technical challenges.

Position Overview

Serve as Leader of the technical, cost, schedule, and resource execution for the IPT activities. You will collaborate with other IPT leads to understand program needs, drive program schedules 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 work closely with the flight test and ground test IPT leads to understand their needs and schedules to ensure ground and flight test operations are supported while delivering tactical products that support overall program schedule milestones.

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 & Program Management, Software and Hardware Engineers, and Mission Assurance teams.
• Solve Complex Challenges: Apply your organizational and technical problem‑solving skills to ensure successful execution of algorithm designs while addressing development risks and emerging challenges in real‑time.
• 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 Algorithm development, 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.
• You will work closely with the flight test and ground test IPT leads to understand their software needs and schedules to ensure ground and flight test operations are supported while delivering tactical software products that support overall program schedule milestones.

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 14 years of experience, master’s degree with 12 years of experience or Ph.D. with 10 years of experience in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, or related technical fields; an additional 4 years of experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• U.S Citizenship is required.
• Must have an active US Government Secret Clearance
• Ability to obtain Special Program Access (SAP)
• Experience leading technical teams
• Understanding of Government systems engineering requirements
• Experience as Integrated Product Team (IPT) Lead, Technical lead, or other leadership role in a program office or business function with demonstrated team building, organizational, and interpersonal skills
• Experience with the technical development and direction for many aspects of engineering on a program, including design, development, implementation, testing, and delivery of product to a customer.
• Experience with developing and executing project schedules.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics or other related technical fields.
• Active US Government Top Secret Clearance or higher, SAP access(es), and/or SCI access.
• Exceptional communication skills.
• An interest in and an aptitude for customer engagements at technical and programmatic levels.
• Experience as a Control Account Manager (CAM) managing Earned Value Management System (EVMS) projects.
• Domain expertise in defense sensor systems.
• Experience with the technical development and direction for all aspects of engineering on a program, including design, development, implementation, testing, and delivery of product to a customer.
• Experience coordinating with external subcontractors, primes, and/or suppliers.

Working at Northrop Grumman is more than just a paycheck. We offer a comprehensive Total Rewards and benefits package designed to help you thrive at work and in life. For more information on our Total Rewards package, please visit our Total Rewards site.

Northrop Grumman Total Rewards

Primary Level Salary Range: $166,500.00 - $249,700.00

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.