Systems Engineering IPT Director

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE:
Relocation assistance may be available
CLEARANCE TYPE:
Secret
TRAVEL:
Yes, 25% of the Time

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 Aeronautics Systems sector has an opening for a Program Director to join our team of qualified, diverse individuals and lead the Systems Engineering IPT for the RQ-4 Enterprise. This position is located in San Diego, CA.

The RQ-4 Systems Engineering IPT Director position is responsible for providing strategic leadership and day-to-day management for an Integrated Product Team and delivering systems engineering products and services in accordance with all Enterprise Program Statements of Work (SOWs) and Northrop Grumman Policies and Procedures. The IPT Director will lead a diverse team of architects, engineers, and integrators tasked with ensuring our systems, software and logistical products meet customer, regulatory, security and internal specifications and support missions in accordance with customer expectations.

This IPT performs systems engineering activities in Rancho Bernardo and Palmdale, California, Grand Sky, North Dakota, and a number of additional domestic and overseas forward deployment locations for a wide array of design, development, integration and sustainment programs.

The RQ-4 Systems Engineering IPT Director will interface with Customer Program Offices, Program Leaders, Business Operations/Integration, and the broader Engineering organization to shape future requirements and ensure contracted requirements defined by the SOW are achieved within budget, schedule, quality, and closure criteria.

• Leadership & Vision – Define and communicate the IPT’s technical vision, strategy, and performance objectives; inspire and mentor a multidisciplinary team of engineers, program managers, and subject‑matter experts
• Requirements Management – Oversee the capture, analysis, validation, and traceability of system requirements throughout the product lifecycle
• System Architecture & Integration – Guide the development of robust system architectures, interface control documents, and integration plans; ensure technical solutions meet performance, safety, and regulatory standards
• Program Planning & Execution – Develop and maintain detailed IPT master schedules, resource plans, and budgets; drive execution against milestones and deliverables
• Risk & Issue Management – Identify, assess, and mitigate technical risks and issues; maintain risk registers and ensure timely resolution
• Program Reviews – Oversee and lead preparation of presentation materials to support Program Reviews
• Change Management – Oversee the organization’s input to Change Board Activity such as Technical Review Board, Configuration Control Board, and Joint CCBs, oversee what is presented in change packages
• Technical Leadership – Partner with Chief Engineering to oversee technical performance of the RQ-4 and other Enterprise platforms in close collaboration with the other Enterprise IPTs
• Stakeholder Coordination – Serve as the primary liaison with customers, suppliers, senior leadership, and cross‑functional partners; facilitate clear, effective communication and decision‑making
• Quality & Compliance – Enforce adherence to applicable standards (e.g., ISO, IEC, MIL‑STD), configuration management processes, and internal quality systems
• Metrics & Reporting – Establish performance metrics, generate status…