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Director of Engineering 2

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

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 Defense Systems is seeking a Senior Director of Engineering to lead the Engineering function for the Advanced Weapons Business Unit (AW BU) in Northridge, CA. Reporting to the Weapon Systems Division Engineering Director and matrixed to the BU Vice President, this role is instrumental in shaping the vision, strategy, and growth of the organization while fostering a culture of execution excellence, innovation, and continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Oversee engineering execution across the Advanced Weapons (AW) portfolio.

  • Lead and develop a cohesive engineering organization aligned with the unit’s strategic goals.

  • Drive innovation and best practices, leveraging digital engineering advancements and corporate-wide expertise.

  • Provide guidance and mentorship to senior engineering leadership, fostering talent engagement and career development.

  • Execute workforce planning, including recruiting, retention, talent management, and competency development.

  • Identify and develop new engineering capabilities to support future business opportunities.

  • Ensure adequate staffing, tools, processes, and infrastructure to support both current execution and business growth.

  • Define and implement clear engineering processes, procedures, and performance metrics to ensure successful program execution.

  • Establish strong partnerships between Engineering, Program Management, and Operations to enhance efficiency and delivery.

  • Provide technical leadership in identifying and mitigating risks while serving as the top escalation point for engineering concerns.

  • Drive technology advancements to enhance business objectives and competitive positioning.

  • Support business development efforts, contributing technical expertise to capture and execution strategies.

  • Foster cross-functional collaboration across business units, divisions, and sectors to achieve strategic goals.

Basic Qualifications:

  • 20+ years of professional experience (BS); 18+ years (MS); 15+ years (PhD).

  • 15+ years of leadership experience in functional management, program management, or technical leadership within the aerospace industry.

  • Aerospace systems background.

  • Proven ability to set strategic direction, establish priorities, and drive accountability.

  • Experience building and leading high-performing engineering teams.

  • Expertise in product development, technology roadmaps, and strategic technology execution.

  • Strong critical thinking, decision-making, and priority-setting skills.

  • Demonstrated ability to engage and influence stakeholders, including senior executives and cross-functional teams.

  • Experience presenting to C-suite and senior leadership.

  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

  • Current active Secret or Top Secret clearance.

  • Most recent clearance investigation, or admittance into the Continuous Evaluation Program (CEP), within the last 5 years.

  • Ability to obtain SAP accesses.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Understanding of missile systems.

  • Background in implementing and managing large-scale programs.

  • Experience leading programs with complex engineering challenge

#LI-MJ5

Salary Range: $235,000.00 - $352,600.00

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.

Average salary estimate

$293800 / YEARLY (est.)
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$235000K
$352600K

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What You Should Know About Director of Engineering 2, ngc

At Northrop Grumman, we’re on the lookout for an experienced and visionary Director of Engineering 2 to join our dynamic team in Northridge, CA. In this pivotal role, you will lead the Engineering function for our Advanced Weapons Business Unit, shaping the strategic direction and operational excellence of our engineering organization. With over 20 years of professional experience, you'll bring a wealth of knowledge to oversee engineering execution across our cutting-edge Advanced Weapons portfolio. Your leadership will empower high-performing teams as you drive innovation, foster cross-functional collaboration, and implement best practices in digital engineering. As the top engineering authority, you will be responsible for talent development, workforce planning, and ensuring our projects meet the highest standards of success. Your strong critical thinking skills will help you mitigate risks while establishing clear engineering processes and performance metrics. You’ll also play a crucial role in supporting our business development efforts, leveraging your aerospace systems expertise to enhance our competitive positioning. If you're ready to make history and drive technological advancements, let’s partner up to invent the future together at Northrop Grumman!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Director of Engineering 2 Role at ngc
What are the primary responsibilities of the Director of Engineering 2 at Northrop Grumman?

The Director of Engineering 2 at Northrop Grumman is tasked with overseeing engineering execution within the Advanced Weapons Business Unit, leading strategic initiatives, and shaping a cohesive engineering culture that fosters innovation and excellence. Key responsibilities include workforce planning, mentorship of senior leaders, and ensuring alignment with the unit's strategic objectives.

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What qualifications are required for the Director of Engineering 2 position at Northrop Grumman?

To qualify for the Director of Engineering 2 role at Northrop Grumman, candidates must have over 20 years of professional experience, with a strong background in leadership within the aerospace industry. A proven record of managing high-performing teams and engaging with senior executives is essential, alongside the ability to secure an active Secret or Top Secret clearance.

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How does Northrop Grumman support the development of the Director of Engineering 2?

At Northrop Grumman, the Director of Engineering 2 will benefit from a culture that prioritizes mentorship and talent engagement. The company fosters continuous improvement and encourages leaders to implement best practices, thereby enhancing personal and professional growth through leadership training and collaborative opportunities.

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What kind of experience is preferred for the Director of Engineering 2 role at Northrop Grumman?

Preferred qualifications for the Director of Engineering 2 position at Northrop Grumman include experience with missile systems, managing large-scale programs, and leading complex engineering challenges. Candidates with backgrounds in product development and technology roadmaps will stand out in the selection process.

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What is the salary range for the Director of Engineering 2 at Northrop Grumman?

The salary range for the Director of Engineering 2 at Northrop Grumman varies between $235,000.00 and $352,600.00, depending on the scope of responsibilities and the candidate's experience and skills. Additional bonuses and long-term incentives are also available in this key leadership role.

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Common Interview Questions for Director of Engineering 2
Can you describe your experience leading engineering teams as a Director of Engineering?

When discussing your experience leading engineering teams, emphasize your approach to building cohesive and high-performing groups. Share specific examples of how you’ve developed team members, fostered innovation, and achieved key milestones in past projects, showcasing your leadership skills.

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How do you approach workforce planning and talent management in engineering?

Explain your methodology for identifying skills gaps within your engineering teams. Detail how you recruit top talent, ensure retention, and promote career development, citing examples of successful workforce planning strategies you've implemented in previous roles.

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What strategies do you use to drive innovation in engineering projects?

Talk about your use of digital engineering advancements and collaboration tools to foster innovation. Provide examples of how you've facilitated brainstorming sessions or cross-functional workshops to generate new ideas and implement best practices.

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How do you assess and mitigate engineering risks during project execution?

Discuss your systematic approach to risk assessment, including how you identify potential issues early in the project lifecycle. Share examples of how you worked with teams to develop risk mitigation plans that kept projects on track.

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In your experience, how important is cross-functional collaboration and how have you facilitated it?

Emphasize the significance of cross-functional collaboration in achieving strategic goals. Provide insights into how you’ve built relationships across departments to enhance delivery and efficiency in your engineering projects.

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How do you stay updated with the latest trends in aerospace engineering?

Describe your commitment to professional development through attending industry conferences, pursuing certifications, or participating in online forums. Share how you apply the latest trends and technologies within your organization to drive success.

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Can you share a significant success from your previous role that demonstrates your leadership as a Director of Engineering?

Highlight a successful project where your leadership was instrumental in achieving objectives. Discuss the challenges faced, how you led the team through them, and the ultimate outcomes, reflecting on the value you brought to the organization.

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What role does communication play in your responsibilities as a Director of Engineering?

Articulate how effective communication is vital for a Director of Engineering. Provide examples of how you ensure transparency within your teams and maintain strong lines of communication with executive leadership to address concerns and share progress.

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How do you handle conflicts within your engineering team?

Describe your conflict resolution style, emphasizing the importance of understanding differing perspectives. Provide examples of past conflicts you've successfully mediated and the outcomes achieved through open dialogue.

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What is your approach to aligning engineering processes with business objectives?

Discuss your strategy for translating business objectives into clear engineering processes. Share how you work with program management and operations to set performance metrics and ensure project outcomes align with organizational goals.

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EMPLOYMENT TYPE
Full-time, on-site
DATE POSTED
April 23, 2025

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