Northrop Grumman Defense Systems is seeking a Director of Systems Integration Verification & Validation to drive integration, test, and production readiness for the Advanced Weapons Business Unit (AW BU) in Northridge, CA. Reporting to the AW BU Senior Director of Engineering, this role will improve the quality, event readiness, and independence of system test, software test, verification, and overall production readiness. 

Key Responsibilities: 

• Centralize responsibility for Integration & Test (I&T), Test & Evaluation (T&E), software I&T, engineering labs, and the management of Special Test Equipment. 

• Establish an independent test authority to raise the overall quality of system level and software level verification and ensure production readiness milestones are met with documented, repeatable test evidence. 

• Improve event readiness by implementing rigorous test schedules and quality metrics, ensuring that each system reaches production readiness on time. 

• Ensure Special Test Equipment (STE) and lab resources are available, calibrated, fully integrated into the test process, and ready for both test and production. 

• Measure improvements by tracking the ability to meet test and V&V schedules and quality targets, thereby reducing overall schedule risk and enhancing confidence in verification results. 

Basic Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or a related STEM discipline. 

• A minimum of 15 years of progressive experience in systems integration, verification and validation, test and evaluation, or related areas within aerospace, defense, or similar industries. 

• Proven experience in leading integrated test organizations and managing complex, multi-disciplinary test programs. 

• Strong understanding of system level and software level verification methodologies, test process optimization, and quality assurance practices. 

• Excellent analytical, problem solving, and communication skills, with demonstrated success in influencing cross-functional teams. 

• Active Secret or Top-Secret Security Clearance. 

• Experience in managing test resources and Special Test Equipment programs that support high risk, high visibility projects. 

• Must be a US Citizen 

• Able to travel up to 25%  

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Master’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or a related STEM discipline. 

• Prior experience in missile systems or the flight test domain. 

• Expertise in establishing independent test authorities and implementing rigorous test processes aligned with production readiness requirements. 

• Familiarity with modern digital engineering tools and data driven verification workflows. 

• Proven ability to develop and execute comprehensive test plans that drive measurable improvements in both schedule adherence and test quality. 

• The ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program (SAP) clearance, as required by the role.