Manager Programs 3 - Autonomy (Research & Advanced Design)

About this role

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 Aeronautics Systems has an opening for a Manager Programs 3 to join our team of qualified individuals within the Research and Advanced Design (R&AD) division. This position may be supported from Redondo Beach, CA or El Segundo, CA.

Northrop Grumman’s Aeronautics Systems – Research & Advanced Design (R&AD) transforms breakthrough ideas into mission-ready capabilities through intelligent anticipation. We’re the front-end design engine, defining what comes next. From developing cutting-edge next-generation future aircraft to trailblazing collaborative autonomous platforms, we push the boundaries of technology and forge industry-leading partnerships that set new standards for what’s possible.

Our team owns the full lifecycle of advanced concept creation, from visionary early-stage designs and rapid prototyping to high-impact demonstrations and solving the toughest technical challenges in survivability, autonomy, and battle management. We seek curious, adaptable people who thrive on turning intuition into breakthrough solutions. If you’re driven to invent the future, build what’s next, and shape the landscape of national security, this is where you belong.

Position Overview:

This Aeronautics Systems sector Research and Advanced Design (R&AD) Autonomy Directorate develops technologies critical to our uncrewed autonomous vehicles and highly automated crewed aircraft. Our work furthers the state of the art in Mission and Flight AI and Autonomy for airborne platforms. This position is for the “Autonomy Commercial Research and Development (CRAD) Portfolio Manager ”.

The selected candidate will report to the Autonomy Director overseeing the shaping, capture, and execution of all applied research CRAD in the areas of automation, control, AI, and autonomy. The Portfolio Manager will be responsible for program execution oversight ensuring PMs are effectively staffing, steering internal investments, and sound project management. Additionally, the Portfolio Manager will be responsible for coordinating with business development personnel on customer shaping, keeping pace with demand signals, and mapping trends to internal capabilities to capture programs. The candidate must have an active Secret clearance with an ability to obtain higher level accesses. The ideal candidate will have a background in Autonomy or AI, strong skills in project management, risk management, and change management. Candidates should be able to define an approach for protecting and growing our portfolio of S&T CRADs in the field of Autonomy.

We are looking for innovative thinkers who thrive in a fast-paced environment and are comfortable with multi-tasking, building briefings for executive leadership and customers, prioritizing tasks, giving verbal presentations, and self-educating without direct supervision. 

Our Leaders at Northrop Grumman live our values daily and encourage our teams to do the same. We do the right thing: upholding the highest ethical standards and facilitating a safe and respectful environment that attracts, retains, and inspires a diverse and engaged team. We do what we promise: holding yourself and others accountable to meet predictable and balanced results. We commit to shared success: operating as OneNG and removing barriers for our teams. Finally, We pioneer: setting a vision that shapes the future and inspires others.

Basic Qualifications: • Bachelor's degree and 10 years (or Bachelor of Science in STEM and 9 years) of related experience as defined below , OR a Master’s degree and 8 years (or Master of Science in STEM and 7 years) of related experience as defined below  • Related experience includes project management, program management, engineering, capture efforts, and/or business management related functions • Extensive experience with cost management, variance analysis, and staffing • Experience developing customer relationships within the defense industry • Experience with Agile development or fast-paced research and development • Experience leading RFI, RFP, IDIQ, or FOPR responses and developing compelling proposal offerings • Current, active U.S. government Secret security clearance • Must have the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government Top Secret clearance and Special Access Program (SAP)

Preferred Qualifications: • Active U.S. government Top-Secret Clearance • Active SCI • Active SAP clearance • Experience with Earned Value Management • Experience with Risk Management • Experience presenting to executive leadership and customers • Experience managing Software or Systems Engineering teams • Experience with Government Reference Architectures or Modular Open Systems Approach • Technical experience in AI, Mission Autonomy, GN&C, Mission Systems, Avionics, Vehicle Management Systems, Flight Autonomy, and/or Human Machine Interfaces • International business capture and execution experience

Primary Level Salary Range: $193,000.00 - $289,600.00

The above salary range represents a general guideline; however, Northrop Grumman c

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