Staff Engineering Program Manager Airborne Navigation Systems

About the Role

Travel: Yes, 10% of the Time · Clearance: Secret (obtainable after start) · Relocation assistance may be available Northrop Grumman Mission Systems is seeking a Staff Engineering Program Manager (EPM) in Woodland Hills, CA . This role leads engineering execution for airborne navigation systems with strong emphasis on developing safety‑critical capabilities . You will partner closely with Program Managers, Chief Engineers, discipline functional engineering management, and other support organizations to deliver on cost, schedule, and technical commitments. This is a full‑time, on‑site role in Woodland Hills, CA.

What You'll Do

• The EPM is accountable for cost, schedule, and execution of all engineering scope on the program and ensures work is completed within approved budget and contractual boundaries across all IPTs.
• Key responsibilities:
• Engineering execution across the full program lifecycle (capture through delivery) for airborne navigation systems.
• Ensure engineering execution meets the applicable level of rigor and aligns with standards including MIL‑STD‑810 for environmental qualification, DO‑178 and MIL‑STD‑882 for safety‑critical software development, and DO‑229 for GPS integrity certification.
• Serve as the primary engineering interface to the Program Manager, Chief Engineer, and functional organizations (Systems, Software, Hardware, Test, Manufacturing, Supply Chain).
• Develop, review, and defend engineering proposal estimates and BOEs ;
• Oversee CAM responsibilities for engineering scope, rolling wave planning, budget allocation, Integrated Master Schedule (IMS) maintenance, earned value status, and estimating total costs to complete efforts.
• Support schedule and financial updates , lead engineering Page and Line (P&L) reviews , and drive data‑informed decisions using program metrics.
• Develop staffing plans and Work Load Forecasts (WLF) and partner with functional managers to project and secure resources.
• Proactively identify, communicate, and burn down program execution risk , driving risk/issue/opportunity handling plans across IPTs.
• Develop and execute risk mitigation plans and return‑to‑green plans for efforts on the program at risk of not meeting their baseline cost, schedule, or technical targets.
• Ensure adherence to Northrop Grumman and customer engineering processes , configuration management, and rigorous entry/exit criteria for major reviews (e.g., SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR).

Requirements

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a STEM or related technical field with 12+ years of related experience; or Master’s with 10+ years ; or PhD with 8+ years
• U.S. Citizenship .
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Secret security clearance .
• Extensive experience leading multi‑disciplinary engineering teams and serving as an engineering leader (e.g., EPM or IPT Lead) on complex programs.
• Deep experience in systems development, integration, and test across the full lifecycle for complex electronic or avionics systems.
• Demonstrated experience with EVM, CAM responsibilities , and management of cost, schedule, and technical performance for engineering scope.
• Demonstrated ability to influence and collaborate across functions, sites, and senior stakeholders.
• Demonstrated experience using metrics to drive program decisions and outcomes .

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree in a STEM or related technical field.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or equivalent
• Active U.S. Government Secret or Top Secret clearance .
• Experience with airborne navigation systems, avionics, or safety‑critical aerospace systems , including: MIL‑STD‑810 environmental qualification.
• DO‑178 and MIL‑STD‑882 for safety‑critical software development and safety analyses.
• DO‑229 GPS integrity certification and performance requirements.
• Domain expertise in defense electronic systems (RF, EW, communications, sensors, or avionics).
• Working knowledge of DoD systems engineering standards and lifecycle processes .
• Prior experience as an EPM, IPT Lead, or similar engineering leadership role .
• CAM certification and experience with ETCs, CEACs, and IBRs .
• Familiarity with Northrop Grumman processes and demonstrated success through proposals, BOE generation, program start‑up, and major reviews.

Pay & Benefits

$177,000.00 - $265,600.00 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.