Director of Chief Engineering I

Northrop Grumman Northrop Grumman · Aerospace · Los Angeles, CA +1 · Systems/Architecture/Test

Director of Engineering for the Advanced Weapons Business Unit, responsible for overseeing engineering execution, leading a unified governance framework, instituting performance metrics, and providing technical leadership for programs. The role involves guiding the development of flight-critical and/or safety-critical software and leading hardware/software integration efforts.

What you'd actually do

  1. Oversee engineering execution across the Advanced Weapons portfolio as the functional lead for all Chief Engineering activities.
  2. Lead and develop a unified governance framework by aligning Chief Engineers across AW programs.
  3. Institute rigorous performance metrics, proactive issue tracking, and standardized processes to ensure consistent engineering excellence.
  4. Establish and chair a cross–Business Unit Engineering Review Board to drive collaboration and alignment across programs.
  5. Provide technical leadership by ensuring the delivery of engineering commitments related to cost, schedule, and technical quality.

Skills

Required

  • Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a related STEM discipline
  • Minimum of 15 years of progressive engineering experience within the aerospace, defense, or related industries
  • Minimum 5 years of experience directing multi–function engineering teams
  • Proven ability to manage budgets, schedules, and complex technical programs
  • Demonstrated expertise in complex systems development, advanced digital engineering, and data–driven process improvement
  • Excellent strategic planning, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills
  • Current active Secret or Top-Secret clearance, or the ability to obtain one

Nice to have

  • Master’s degree in Engineering or a STEM field
  • Experience in missile design, integration, and test
  • Proven background in developing flight–critical and/or safety–critical software
  • Experience with hardware/software integration in large-scale engineering programs
  • Familiarity with modern digital engineering tools and agile methodologies

What the JD emphasized

  • flight-critical and/or safety-critical software
  • hardware/software integration