Director of Programs I

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

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.

Join Northrop Grumman’s Defense Systems Sector as the Director of Program Production I for our advanced missile programs within the Air Warfare Systems (AWS) Operating Unit, located in the heart of Northridge, CA. This is a rare opportunity to lead at the intersection of advanced weapons, digital manufacturing, and national security—where disciplined execution and modern production approaches directly enable mission success.

This role sits at the cornerstone of Northrop Grumman’s advanced weapons product lines, shaping how next-generation missile capabilities transition from development into scalable, rate production. The production systems, factories, and supplier partnerships you build will directly influence the affordability, availability, and readiness of critical missile capabilities for the U.S. Department of Defense and allied partners.

We are intentionally seeking leaders who bring fresh perspective and proven execution strength, including those from non-traditional but highly relevant industries such as advanced manufacturing, automotive, space, industrial automation, and high-reliability technology environments. If you have led complex products from prototype to scaled production—and are energized by applying modern manufacturing and digital tools to mission-critical systems—this role offers a unique and meaningful challenge.

As Director of Production, you will lead the transition from development to production, guide production start-up, and scale execution across a portfolio of advanced missile programs. You will be responsible for establishing production excellence as a strategic advantage—leveraging automation, digital transformation, advanced analytics, and emerging machine learning capabilities to deliver speed, quality, and affordability at scale.

Reporting directly to the AWS Operating Unit Director, you will be a key member of the senior leadership team, executing an ambitious strategic plan supported by significant technology, capital, and workforce investments.

What You’ll Do

In this highly visible leadership role, you will:

• Own end-to-end production execution for advanced missile programs, from late-stage development and transition to production through start-up, ramp, and sustained-rate delivery

• Provide full P&L leadership across multiple production programs, ensuring cost, schedule, quality, and performance commitments are met or exceeded

• Lead industrialization and scale-up efforts for cornerstone advanced weapons product lines, including factory readiness, capacity planning, workforce growth, and capital deployment

• Drive automation and digital manufacturing transformation, applying digital thread concepts, advanced analytics, and machine learning to improve throughput, predictability, and quality

• Build resilient supplier and industrial base partnerships, collaborating across the value chain to ensure capacity, affordability, and long-term sustainability for missile production

• Lead and develop high-performing, multidisciplinary teams, fostering a culture of ownership, accountability, and continuous improvement

• Navigate and resolve complex technical, manufacturing, and supply chain challenges inherent to advanced missile production with speed, clarity, and disciplined execution

• Partner seamlessly across engineering, quality, supply chain, finance, contracts, and program management to deliver integrated, executable production strategies

• Execute disciplined risk and opportunity management, proactively mitigating production risk while capturing productivity and cost-reduction opportunities

• Support capture and proposal activities, shaping production strategies, schedules, and cost positions that strengthen competitive posture

• Communicate with confidence and transparency to customers, senior leadership, and enterprise stakeholders

• Ensure compliance with contract requirements, internal processes, and applicable regulatory and industry standards

Basic Qualifications

• Active Secret clearance (or prior experience working in cleared or highly regulated environments)

• Bachelor’s degree with 15+ years of experience, or Master’s degree with 13+ years of experience, in production, operations, manufacturing, or program execution

• 10+ years of experience leading complex production or operational teams with accountability for cost, schedule, and quality

• Demonstrated success transitioning advanced products from development or pilot phases into scaled production

• Proven ability to manage revenue, profit, and cash performance

• Experience managing and partnering with suppliers and industrial partners

• Strong judgment and decision-making skills that balance execution urgency with long-term business outcomes

• Excellent communication skills across technical, operational, and executive audiences

• Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret clearance

Preferred Qualifications

• Active Top Secret clearance (or prior experience working in cleared or highly regulated environments)

• Experience as a Prime Contractor or as a production leader in high-reliability, high-consequence industries (missiles, aerospace, automotive, space, industrial automation)

• Demonstrated leadership in automation, digital manufacturing, advanced analytics, or AI/ML-enabled production systems

• Experience leading production start-ups, factory launches, or major rate increases

• Proven adaptability—successfully bringing modern production practices into complex, mission-driven environments while maintaining strong stakeholder 

Primary Level Salary Range: $224,300.00 - $336,500.00

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.