At the heart of Defining Possible is our commitment to missions. In rapidly changing global security environments, Northrop Grumman brings informed insights and secure technological solutions to enable strategic objectives. We’re looking for innovators who can help us keep building on our wide portfolio of secure, affordable, integrated, and multi-domain systems and technologies that fuel those missions. By joining in our shared mission, we will support yours of expanding your personal network and developing skills, whether you are new to the field or an industry thought leader. At Northrop Grumman, you will have the resources, support, and team to do some of the best work of your career.
Northrop Grumman is seeking an AI Engineering Manager. This position will define and lead the execution of Artificial Intelligence projects across Mission Systems sector for the Chief Information & Digital Office (CIDO). The AI Engineering Manager directs and manages all operational activities and projects and contributes to the organization’s overall strategic direction. This role will work closely with sector stakeholders to deliver AI solutions driving productivity and cost avoidance.
The successful candidate will lead all aspects of implementing innovative artificial intelligence engineering operations that deliver value and enable CIDO initiatives, providing technical leadership and managing a team of AI and data engineers. This position will report to the Director, Strategy, Architecture, & Enablement.
A hybrid work schedule may be considered for this position; please note that the selected candidate will be required to work on-site at our Linthicum, MD campus 3 days per week.
Position Summary
Lead the creation and change management of MS CIDO AI engineering and date engineering operations aligned with the sector AI Strategy & Architecture, enabling mission outcomes such as cost reduction, efficiency gains, improved delivery velocity, and rationalized technical platforms across functional and program portfolios.
Define and lead AI engineering execution across major CIDO initiatives, ensuring all AI solutions are grounded in authoritative enterprise data through platforms such as Palantir Foundry, RAG as a service, Manufacturing AI, Copilots, Pillar System AI, and other agentic platforms
Provide leadership, mentorship, and technical direction to AI and data engineers, enabling scalable, repeatable development patterns and enterprise‑aligned AI delivery across the sector.
Partner closely with the MS CIDO PMO, Systems Architect, Data Archtiect and AI Architect to ensure solutions adhere to sector governance, enterprise data strategy, platform standards, and reliability/security requirements.
Develop and execute both short‑ and long‑term AI engineering strategies (three‑year outlook, one‑year operating plan, and 90‑day rolling plan) that accelerate mission value and align with CIDO transformation priorities.
Work directly with program and functional customers to identify needs, shape solution approaches, and deliver high‑impact AI capabilities that improve productivity, decision speed, and cost avoidance.
Additional Responsibilities/Duties include:
Establish relevant metrics and service level agreements to continually improve AI engineering performance and overall value to the sector.
Develop an empowered engineering community and governance model that ensures consistent, compliant, and coordinated AI delivery across divisions and service lines.
Drive prioritization, budgeting, and resource planning for AI engineering work in support of MS CIDO PMO business objectives and strategic initiatives.
Support global deployment and adoption of AI and information technology solutions across Mission Systems, ensuring alignment with enterprise operating models, strategies, and investments.
Manage all people‑leadership responsibilities, including recruiting, development, performance management, compensation, organization design, and team formation.
Develop, mentor, and lead a diverse employee base; hire and retain exceptional AI and data engineering talent.
Demonstrate the highest levels of leadership integrity, openness, compliance, and honesty in all interactions.
Capture and provide monthly operational reporting to support stakeholder communication and governance forums.
Ensure reliability and readiness of AI‑related IT assets and associated infrastructure; support business resiliency requirements and mitigate vulnerabilities.
Coordinate and lead sector strategy for AI‑related infrastructure, deployments, migrations, and major platform upgrades or renewals.
Provide sector leadership supporting major AI, IT, and data operations transformations in partnership with enterprise vendors and internal platforms.
Basic Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree with 2 years of relevant experience in Information Technology delivery and support.
The selected candidate will be required to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Secret level security clearance as a condition of continued employment.
The selected candidate will be required to obtain and maintain a Special Access Program (SAP/SAR) clearance as a condition of continued employment.
Proven experience managing projects, budgets, and schedules.
Demonstrated ability to independently prioritize, plan, and execute work tasks in a rapidly changing, fast-paced environment while maintaining high quality results.
Demonstrated ability to proactively identify issues and solutions to those issues, and drive issues rapidly to closure.
Preferred Qualifications:
Demonstrated business, financial and management skills.
Proven experience with financial budget ownership.
Demonstrated ability to communicate, present, and collaborate with senior level executive leadership.
Customer-focused with proven interpersonal and leadership skills, excellent verbal and written communication skills, and a strong willingness to learn.
Excellent collaboration skills especially within a matrix organizational structure.
Active U.S. Government Secret or Top Secret security clearance.
We offer flexible work arrangements, phenomenal learning opportunities, exposure to a wide variety of projects and customers, and a very friendly team environment. At Northrop Grumman, we are on the cutting edge of innovation. Our diverse portfolio of programs means there are endless paths to cultivate your career. We also offer exceptional benefits/healthcare, a 9/80 work schedule, and a great 401k matching program. Come join us!
Primary Level Salary Range: $127,000.00 - $190,600.00The 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 Grumma