Weapon Systems Development Lead Level 6 (AHT)

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

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 Defense Systems is looking for a Weapon Systems Development Lead Level 6 that will spearhead the definition, development, and delivery of cross-functional capabilities that enable the Advanced Weapons Business Unit (AWBU) to design, prototype, and field next generation defense systems in Northridge, CA . Our Advanced Weapons team designs, develops, and manufactures weapon systems that support U.S. national and allied security objectives.

This position is required to be full-time, on-site in the Northridge, CA location. No remote/telework arrangement is available for this position. Applicants must have a current US Government Secret security clearance .

The Weapon Systems Development Lead 6 will lead cross-functional engineering teams across the full weapon system development lifecycle, using the Integrated Functional Capability (IFC) plan to align software, systems engineering, integration, and test activities with performance, schedule, and mission requirements. This position requires strong technical depth, systems thinking, and the ability to coordinate effectively with program leadership, customers, and partner engineering disciplines.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Strategic Planning

• Develop and maintain the overarching strategic IFC Plan for each product line.
• Translate the strategic vision into detailed IFC plans, schedules, and resource allocations.

Program Coordination

• Align the work of hardware and software IPTs with the IFC schedule and milestones.
• Synchronize development baselines across contracts to avoid conflicts and gaps.

Execution & Integration

• Oversee the evolution of the IFC plan through architecture, hardware, and software design phases.
• Manage functional activities such as testing, quality assurance, logistics support, and readiness for ground-and-flight-test phases.

Certification & Release

• Lead the IFC effort to certification, confirming that the integrated product set satisfies functional and performance requirements.
• Compile and deliver the IFC system certificate package for ground test, flight test, developmental/operational test, and evaluation.

Systems Engineering Leadership

• Expand technical breadth across a diverse portfolio of mission threads.
• Drive the transition from traditional systems engineering rigor to lean-agile, model-based processes.

Control Account & Risk Management

• Own Control Account Management responsibilities, tracking budget, schedule, and performance metrics.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate risks throughout the development lifecycle.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS Sr Staff Systems Development Lead Engineer:

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

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Proven record delivering integrated weapon-system capabilities (e.g., missiles, directed-energy, unmanned platforms)
• Proficiency with systems
• Familiarity with DoDAF, MIL-STD-499B, ACAT acquisition processes
• Experience in model-based analysis, trade studies, and performance-modeling tools
• Demonstrated ability to lead large, cross-functional teams in a matrix organization
• Excellent oral and written communication skills with strong influencing and negotiation capabilities
• Experience