Director Systems Engineering 2 - I&S BU Chief Engineer/ Mission 1 SE&I IPT Lead

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes

CLEARANCE TYPE: Top Secret

TRAVEL: Yes, 25% 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’s Intelligence Systems Division (ISD) is seeking a Director, Systems Engineering 2 – I&S Business Unit Chief Engineer / Mission 1 Systems Engineering & Integration (SE&I) IPT Lead. This position is located in Redondo Beach, CA.

As the Director you will be accountable for the overall technical execution and integrity of the AMP portfolio of programs. You will serve as the I&S Business Unit Chief Engineer and report to the Vice President, Western Region Engineering.  You will provide day‑to‑day technical leadership for multiple programs and captures, as well as shape the long‑term technical and programmatic vision for the business, with a strong emphasis on best‑in‑class Systems Engineering, mission success, and cross‑functional collaboration.

The Mission 1 SE&I team is a multidisciplinary organization that includes:

• Requirements and verification
• System integration
• Thread leadership
• Mission engineering
• Competitive sourcing
• Architecture via model‑based systems engineering (MBSE) and integration into the program digital ecosystem
• Launch system integration
• Early system operations 

You will lead across multiple contracts and pursuits, spanning all phases of the lifecycle, and must be comfortable operating in a fast‑paced, dynamic environment with frequent customer and executive‑level engagement.

Job Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Serve as the I&S Business Unit Chief Engineer, providing technical and process leadership and oversight across the I&S program portfolio.
• Own the overall systems engineering execution, system integrity, and architecture decisions for Mission 1 programs, ensuring alignment with business, mission, and customer objectives.
• Lead the Mission 1 SE&I IPT, directing a multidisciplinary team responsible for requirements and verification, system integration, mission engineering, MBSE‑based architecture, launch integration, and early system operations.
• Establish and drive Systems Engineering strategies, processes, and best practices to achieve best‑in‑class performance across the program lifecycle.
• Partner closely with program management, functional leadership, and customers to define technical baselines, manage technical risk, and ensure delivery of mission‑capable solutions on cost and schedule.
• Provide technical direction and decision‑making for major reviews, trades, and design milestones; chair or co‑chair key technical boards (e.g., engineering review boards, design review boards) as appropriate.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with external customers and internal stakeholders; represent Mission 1 SE&I and I&S in executive‑level and customer forums.
• Mentor, develop, and grow systems engineering talent, building technical depth and a strong succession pipeline for key leadership roles. Lead continuous improvement in engineering execution, including adoption of MBSE, digital engineering initiatives, and disciplined integration and test strategies.
• Ensure compliance with Northrop Grumman engineering processes, mission assurance, and configuration management standards.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in a STEM discipline (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics)
• Twelve (12) years of experience in systems engineering or closely related engineering disciplines supporting complex, mission‑critical programs
• 5+ years of technical leadership experience in Systems Engineering (e.g., IPT lead, chief engineer, program technical lead, or equivalent)
• Demonstrated experience leading multidisciplinary engineering teams across multiple phases of the program lifecycle (concept, design, integration, test, operations)
• Proven experience with systems engineering processes, including requirements development, allocation, verification/validation, and risk management
• Experience engaging with external customers and presenting technical content in executive‑level or customer forums
• Active Top Secret and SCI clearance at time of application, with a recent Single Scope Background Investigation (SSBI).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Engineering or a related STEM discipline, with emphasis in Systems Engineering, Communication Systems, Signal Processing, Mission Engineering, or related fields
• Previous experience as a Chief Engineer, Chief Architect, or SE&I IPT Lead on large, complex space or intelligence programs
• Demonstrated experience with space or airborne mission systems, including end‑to‑end mission architectures, thread leadership, and mission engineering
• Hands‑on experience applying MBSE and digital engineering tools and methods (e.g., SysML, model repositories, digital twins) to define architectures and technical baselines
• Experience with launch system integration and/or early on‑orbit operations for space systems
• Proven track record of building and developing high‑performing engineering teams, including mentoring, succession planning, and talent development
• Experience managing competitive pursuits (e.g., proposal phases, competitive sourcing, technical strategy for captures and recompetes)
• Familiarity with Northrop Grumman Systems Engineering processes, Mission Assurance, and configuration management practices
• Strong executive‑level communication skills, including the ability to translate complex technical issues into clear business and mission impacts

As a leader with integrity, you ensure ethical conduct, balanced results, and partner satisfaction. You respect and nurture growth, fostering a culture of excellence. Skilled in building collaborative teams and customer trust, you communicate well, foster strong teams, and embrace change.  

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https://www.northropgrumman.com/space

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Primary Level Salary Range: $266,300.00 - $399,500.00

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.