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.

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.

We are currently seeking a strategic and results‑driven Business Development Manager 3 to serve as a Business Development Lead within the Advanced Tactical Missions Business Unit, with primary responsibility for the Advanced Communications & Sensing (AC&S) Operating Unit.

This position is contingent upon customer final approval

This role blends strategic leadership with deep technical engagement in space‑ and ground‑based optical and RF communications. You will lead business development for a portfolio of advanced communications programs and pursuits, drive mission integration for air and space (including non‑traditional space services and users), and shape growth across DoD, USSF, MDA, Intelligence Community, commercial, and international markets.

You will be expected to develop early win strategies, influence customer priorities and acquisition paths, shape internal investments, and lead cross‑functional teams to create discriminating, affordable solutions that position Northrop Grumman for sustained growth and mission success.

Key Responsibilities

Portfolio & Pipeline Leadership
- Lead business development for a portfolio of advanced communications programs and pursuits within AC&S, with coordination across Multi‑Domain Systems and Mission Exploration.
- Manage and grow the opportunity pipeline through strategic customer outreach and targeted campaign planning in DoD, USSF, MDA, IC, commercial, and international markets.
- Oversee all aspects of the Business Acquisition Process (BAP), including growth strategy development, opportunity qualification, pursuit prioritization, capture plan development, and progression through internal BAP/review gates.

Customer Engagement & Technical Outreach (Optical / RF)
- Actively engage and follow up with advanced communications acquisition customers, US Government and international stakeholders, and Northrop Grumman leaders.
- Conduct independent initial technical and concept discussions with customers in space‑ and ground‑based optical and RF communications, helping translate mission needs into discriminating solutions.
- Drive customer engagement through development of briefings, white papers, and RFI responses that clearly articulate mission value and technical advantages.

Strategy, Capture & Investment Shaping
- Develop and execute comprehensive BD and capture strategies for key target markets, including national security space, advanced communications, and multi‑domain integration.
- Influence internal investment planning and shape business priorities aligned with pipeline opportunities and customer roadmaps.
- Convene and lead multi‑functional teams (engineering, program management, finance, legal, government relations) to develop mission discriminators through innovative architectures, payloads, technology strategies, management approaches, and competitive cost solutions.
- Devise and help execute government relations and legislative advocacy plans to support key campaigns and opportunities.

Market & Competitive Intelligence
- Conduct ongoing market research in advanced communications, monitor industry and technology trends, and analyze competitors to refine strategy and identify new growth areas.
- Use CRM tools and data analysis to track opportunity health, inform decision‑making, and drive disciplined BD execution.

Relationships & Representation
- Build and sustain trust‑based relationships with senior government and military decision‑makers, program offices, contracting officers, and international partners.
- Represent Northrop Grumman at conferences, trade shows, and other industry events to increase market visibility and build key customer and partner relationships.
Leadership & Mentoring
- Mentor and guide a multidisciplinary team of BD and capture professionals, setting performance expectations and fostering strategic career development.
- Promote BD and capture best practices across the portfolio and contribute to a high‑performance, mission‑focused culture.
Compliance & Acquisition Discipline
- Ensure that all business development initiatives comply with Northrop Grumman standards, ethics, and applicable government regulations.
- Leverage deep familiarity with defense and national security space acquisition processes, including traditional and non‑traditional pathways, to guide capture and bid decisions.

Basic Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in a STEM field, business, engineering, or a related discipline.
10+ years of combined experience with a bachelor’s degree, or 8+ years with a master’s degree, in roles spanning:
- Business development, capture management, and proposal development, and
- Space‑ or ground‑based optical or RF communications or closely related fields.
5+ years of direct experience in capture management, business development, and/or proposal leadership for defense/aerospace or national security space programs.
Demonstrated ability to:
- Conduct independent initial technical and concept discussions with optical/RF communications customers.
- Identify and qualify new business opportunities (including new customer sets, domestic and international).
- Shape customer requirements, write white papers, develop talking points, and represent the company at trade shows/conferences.
Experience with customer relationship management (CRM) tools (e.g., Salesforce) and using data to inform BD decisions.
Current and active Top Secret/SCI security clearance at time of application.
Ability to travel up to 25%.

Preferred Qualifications

Advanced degree in a STEM discipline or an MBA.
Deep domain expertise in space‑ or ground‑based optical/RF communications, including experience in:
- Communication system design and development
- Payload design and mission architecting
- Requirements and architecture development
- Program or campaign management
Demonstrated experience:
- Leading and growing business development and capture teams and implementing BD/capture best practices.
- Building and maintaining relationships with senior executives and decision‑makers across DoD, USSF, MDA, IC, commercial, and international communities.
- Strategic planning, profit and loss (P&L) responsibility, and investment planning/resource allocation.
Strong communication skills, including experience briefing executive leadership and senior customer audiences.
Firm grasp of U.S. Government procurement processes, including PPB&E, FAR‑based acquisitions, and non‑traditional contracting mechanisms (e.g., OTA, other flexible instruments).
Experience in international business development and familiarity with export and regulatory considerations for advanced communications systems.

Why Join Northrop Grumman?

This is an opportunity to shape the way we connect with and engage employees across the enterprise. If you are a strategic, forward-thinking communicator with a passion for impactful storytelling and leadership, we would love to hear from you!

Apply today to be part of a team that drives meaningful employee engagement and business impact.

Northrop Grumman offers a competitive and robust benefits program. As a full-time employee of Northrop Grumman, you are e

Business Development Manager 3 ( TS/SCI)

About the role

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