Systems Engineering Director 1

About this role

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes

CLEARANCE TYPE: 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 Mission System’s Engineering and Sciences (E&S) Baltimore and Partnered Sites Division is seeking a Systems Engineering Director 1 for the Sensor Systems Design team in Baltimore, MD and will require 100% on-site work. 

What you’ll get to do:  Demonstrate a proven ability to lead for sustained, high level performance with a strong commitment to ethics, integrity, and innovation that constructively challenges traditional ways of doing business. Effectively balance programmatic needs to deliver results within cost, schedule, and quality parameters while fostering and rewarding innovative behaviors at all levels of the organization. Show success in shaping the direction of key technology discriminators by identifying, championing, and implementing change that drives competitive advantage for the business. This role emphasizes performance, people leadership, and business growth, requiring a balanced blend of technical, interpersonal, and business acumen. Independently execute work aligned to strategic objectives while thriving in a team environment and collaborating across the sector and corporation to achieve shared goals. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to: • Strategic Leadership –Champion the long term technology and talent roadmaps for Sensor Systems Engineering teams including EW, Tracking, Modes, EO/IR, BIT/CAL and System Architects. This includes guiding discipline collaboration teams, investment strategies and succession planning to grow practitioners and continue engineering execution across multiple divisions and businesses.

• Team Management & Growth – Lead a team of 6-7 section managers and oversee an organization of 300–500 engineers across Baltimore and Bethpage, NY. Recruit, onboard, and develop top talent; champion diversity, equity, and inclusion; conduct performance reviews, career path planning, and mentorship programs. Facilitate conflict-resolution and promote workforce engagement. Support partnered site in Bethpage, NY including on-site presence, talent development and staffing needs.

• Define & enforce engineering processes – Establish and continuously improve engineering processes, best practice guidelines, and engineering metrics; audit adherence and drive corrective actions. Promote best practices, systems engineering rigor and build alignment around systems engineering processes and tools to achieve program milestones.

• Proposal & program oversight – Review and sign off on proposal and program plans; verify that resources, technical rigor, decision rationale, realistic estimates, and prudent risk taking are embedded.  Review execution throughout programs, ensure quality of work products and independent technical reviews, and proactively identify and address risks.  

This position is contingent on the successful transfer of an active U.S Government Secret clearance and the ability to obtain Special Program Access (SAP).

Basic Qualifications: • Bachelor’s Degree with 10 years of experience, a master’s degree with 8 years of experience, or a PhD with 6 years of experience in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics or related technical fields. 

• U.S Citizenship is required.

• A current/active U.S Government Secret Clearance. 

• Ability to obtain Special Program Access (SAP). 

• Minimum of 5 years of demonstrated success leading multiple large, distributed engineering teams.

• Experience with systems engineering processes, including effective tailoring to program and customer needs.

• High proficiency in technical problem-solving, with a strong track record in root cause analysis and developing robust, sustainable solutions.

• Experience in translating complex technical and business concepts into clear, concise messages for executive level audiences.

• Experience in program execution and staffing, as well as in developing and managing PrOP, engineering metrics, training resources, processes, and tools.

Preferred Qualifications: • Advanced degrees in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics or related technical fields. 

• Active U.S Government Top Secret Clearance or higher.

• 8+ years of professional experience in defense or aerospace industries

• Experience delivering complex solutions on time and within budget.  

• Hands on expertise with systems engineering roles on programs including time as SEIT Lead, Chief Engineer, Engineering Program Manager, Integration and Test Lead or Systems Lead. 

• Familiarity with systems engineering lifecycle, processes and tools 

• Experience mentoring senior engineers and building diverse, high‑performing technical teams in a matrixed, multi‑site environment.

• Proven technical management experience preferably in either program profit and loss or integrated product team

• Demonstrated profit and loss (P&L) leadership experience.

Northrop Grumman provides a comprehensive benefits package and a work environment which encourages your growth and supports the mutual success of our people and our company. Northrop Grumman benefits giv

Similar jobs

• Systems Engineering Manager 3 — Northrop Grumman · United States-Virginia-Charlottesville
• Systems Engineering Manager 2 — Northrop Grumman · United States-California-San Diego
• Systems Engineering Manager 2 — Northrop Grumman · United States-Virginia-Chantilly | United States-Ohio-Cincinnati | United States-Maryland-Annapolis Junction
• Systems Engineering Manager 2 — Northrop Grumman · United States-Maryland-Baltimore
• Systems Engineering Manager 2 — Northrop Grumman · United States-Maryland-Annapolis Junction
• Systems Engineering Manager — Modal · New York
• Systems Engineering Manager — Ridealso · Palo Alto
• Systems Engineering Lead — Accenturefederalservices · Arlington, VA