Program Director 1 - Fleet Sustainment

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’s Aeronautics Systems sector is seeking a Program Director 1 (Fleet Sustainment) to join our team of qualified, diverse individuals within our Global Surveillance organization. This leadership role will be located onsite in Melbourne, Florida.

About the Role:
As the Program Director 1 (Fleet Sustainment), you will serve as the strategic architect of E-2D Advanced Hawkeye readiness, bridging the gap between high-rate production and global mission availability. Operating at the heart of our Global Surveillance organization in Melbourne, Florida, you will lead a high-visibility portfolio that demands a unique blend of production synchronization, global supply chain orchestration, and executive-level partnership with NAVAIR and PMA-231. This is a "cradle-to-grave" leadership opportunity where your ability to manage complex $200M+ contract portfolios and mentor a multi-functional team of managers will directly impact the operational success of our fleet operators worldwide. If you are a visionary leader who thrives on solving systemic logistics challenges and pioneering long-term sustainment strategies, we invite you to help us define the future of aeronautics.

Key Responsibilities:

• Strategic Fleet Stewardship: Serves as the primary executive interface to E-2D fleet operators and Acquisition Customers (e.g., NAVAIR, PMA-231, NAVSUP, DLA); aligns internal program goals with high-level mission readiness and platform availability requirements.

• Production & Sustainment Integration: Orchestrates the seamless transition and synchronization between aircraft production lines and post-delivery sustainment, ensuring retrofits and spares keep pace with fleet demand.

• Global Supply Chain Leadership: Provides strategic oversight of a global supply chain network, directing the performance of Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers to mitigate risks in long-lead parts, repairs, and repair capabilities.

• Financial & Contractual Governance: Directs the financial health of the $200M+ portfolio; leads the development of complex acquisition strategies, multi-year proposals, and contract negotiations that balance profitability with customer value.

• Operational Performance: Accountable for the product quality, cost, schedule, and technical performance of 250+ contracts, ensuring all contracted activities meet the rigorous standards of the aerospace industry and DoD.

• Infrastructure & Capability Growth: Oversees the strategic rollout of depot standup, support equipment, and trainer facilities, ensuring the infrastructure exists to support the E-2D throughout its entire lifecycle.

• Workforce & Cultural Leadership: Directs a large, multi-functional organization of managers, individual contributors, and field technicians; fosters a culture of technical excellence and rapid problem-solving for on-site fleet support.

• Risk & Opportunity Management: Identifies systemic risks within the production and logistics pipeline and implements high-level mitigation strategies to prevent operational gaps for the customer.

Our Leaders at Northrop Grumman live our values daily and encourage our teams to do the same. We do the right thing: upholding the highest ethical standards and facilitating a safe and respectful environment that attracts, retains, and inspires a diverse and engaged team. We do what we promise: holding yourself and others accountable to meet predictable and balanced results. We commit to shared success: operating as OneNG and removing barriers for our teams. Finally, We pioneer: setting a vision that shapes the future and inspires others.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree and 10 years of related professional/military experience as defined below OR a Master’s degree and 8 years of related professional/military experience as defined below, OR a PhD and 6 years of related professional/military experience as defined below

• Experience in program management within the aerospace/defense industry, with specific exposure to large-scale production environments and global supply chain operations

• At least 3 years of experience leading programs involving U.S. or International acquisition customers (e.g., NAVAIR, DCMA, or foreign equivalents) valued at $100M or higher

• Direct experience interfacing with military or commercial fleet operators to ensure operational readiness and platform sustainment.

• An active DoD secret clearance, with the ability to obtain and maintain top secret or higher

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience developing and executing long-term acquisition strategies and negotiating multi-year, high-value contracts with Department of Defense or International customers

• Proven track record of managing complex, global supply chain networks to mitigate risk and ensure long-term sustainment of hardware and spares

• Demonstrated success in optimizing fleet-wide performance metrics (e.g., Mission Capable rates) through strategic coordination with maintenance depots and field service teams.

• Experience overseeing the transition of programs from low-rate initial production to full-rate production and sustainment

• Proven ability to brief and influence senior military leaders (O-6 and above) and corporate executives on critical program milestones, financial performance, and mission-readiness recovery plans

Additional Information

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes

CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret

TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the Time

Primary Level Salary Range: $193,800.00 - $290,600.00

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.