Director of Programs - S&T SEIT Lead

As the Director of Programs - S&T SEIT Lead at Northrop Grumman, you will be responsible for leading Systems Engineering Integration and Testing efforts for the Sentinel Support & Training systems. Your role includes managing segment requirements, integration testing, collaboration across engineering teams, and ensuring product quality and compliance. You'll also oversee program performance metrics and budget adherence to ensure successful project execution.

To qualify for the Director of Programs - S&T SEIT Lead role at Northrop Grumman, candidates must hold a Bachelor’s degree in a STEM field with at least ten years of engineering experience, or a Master’s with eight years of experience. Additionally, a minimum of five years in formal leadership of teams or organizations, as well as an active DoD Secret clearance within the last five years, is required.

The work environment at Northrop Grumman is characterized by innovation, collaboration, and a commitment to excellence. As the Director of Programs - S&T SEIT Lead, you will be part of a pioneering team that encourages intellectual curiosity and cognitive diversity. The standard work schedule is a flexible 9/80, allowing for work-life balance, and access to comprehensive health and wellness benefits makes it a rewarding place to build your career.

The salary range for the Director of Programs - S&T SEIT Lead at Northrop Grumman is competitive, ranging from $187,700 to $281,500. This range is influenced by several factors, including experience, education, and market conditions. In addition to base pay, employees may qualify for bonuses and long-term incentives, further enhancing earning potential.

Working as the Director of Programs - S&T SEIT Lead opens up numerous long-term career opportunities within Northrop Grumman. With a focus on leadership and innovation in aerospace technologies, successful members can advance to senior management roles, contributing to significant projects while also having the chance to mentor emerging leaders in technology and defense.

When leading cross-functional teams, fostering open communication is key. I prioritize regular check-ins, utilize collaboration tools, and set clear goals to ensure everyone remains aligned. Sharing success stories and emphasizing common objectives helps build camaraderie and motivates the team.

My experience in Systems Engineering Integration and Testing includes managing complex projects by decomposing requirements, creating detailed test plans, and executing rigorous assessments. I ensure that every step meets standards while encouraging collaboration between engineering and testing teams to streamline processes.

I approach requirements verification by establishing a clear traceability matrix, allowing for easy tracking and verification throughout the project lifecycle. I always encourage iterative reviews and updates, ensuring that all stakeholders are engaged and requirements remain aligned with project goals.

In a past project, we faced significant delays due to unforeseen technical issues. To overcome this, I initiated collaborative problem-solving meetings, engaged all relevant parties, and adjusted our timelines and resources. This proactive approach not only resolved the issues but improved overall team dynamics.

I rely on Earned Value Management (EVM) for real-time project performance metrics, coupled with software like Microsoft Project or Jira for task management. These tools help me maintain oversight on budgets, milestones, and team contributions, ensuring we remain on track.

Managing scope changes involves rigorous change control processes. I implement a formal review board for assessing change requests, ensuring that we analyze impacts on schedule and budget before approving any revisions. This helps maintain project integrity and stakeholder trust.

I have applied Model-Based Systems Engineering principles throughout my projects, utilizing MBSE tools to enhance designs and facilitate better communication among teams. This approach has significantly improved our ability to visualize and validate complex systems early in the development process.

To ensure quality, I advocate for integrated testing at every project stage and emphasize adherence to comprehensive quality assurance protocols. I establish metrics to consistently evaluate performance and encourage a culture of continuous improvement across teams.

In a previous role, I led a project that required input from diverse engineering disciplines. By organizing regular cross-functional workshops, we were able to identify synergies and streamline our efforts, resulting in an outstanding final product that met all client specifications and timelines.

When assessing program performance, I focus on key metrics such as schedule adherence, budget compliance, and quality outcomes. Stakeholder satisfaction and team morale are also critical indicators, so I encourage frequent feedback and adjust strategies accordingly to ensure everyone is aligned.