Program Manager 3 - Espada

Posted:
5/19/2026, 8:20:54 AM

Location(s):
Maryland, United States

Experience Level(s):
Expert or higher ⋅ Senior

Field(s):
Product

Workplace Type:
On-site

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: No relocation assistance available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes

CLEARANCE TYPE: Top Secret

TRAVEL: No

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 Space Systems sector has an exciting career opportunity for a Program Manager 3 to join the Intelligence Systems Division’s Surveillance and Targeting Business Unit to lead the development, maturation, and risk reduction effort for the Passive Sensors Operating Unit’s Espada Core program responsible for the next generation of high performance, passive sensing payloads.

This position is 100% on-site in Linthicum, MD.

*Please be aware that this position will be contingent upon capturing program award, obtaining and maintaining customer funding, and holding final clearance prior to start date. *

Role and Responsibilities:

  • Lead and direct cross-functional Integrated Program Teams (IPT) to meet program cost, schedule, and technical performance and quality objectives

  • Develop, and manage to, a comprehensive integrated master schedule to meet key schedule milestones within cost and technical performance parameters

  • Establish and maintain an effective program organization that addresses customer requirements and incorporates the necessary internal and external sub-organizations

  • Develop and adhere to budget baselines utilizing Earned Value Management (EVM)

  • Resolve issues in accordance with business objectives, strategies, legal requirements, regulations, contract terms, and company policies

  • Measure and report program performance

  • Deliver presentations to customers, executive management and other program stakeholders

  • Ensure team accountability while fostering team engagement

  • Manage and mitigate risks aggressively and collaboratively across functional organizations

  • Develop strategic plans including annual operating plans, internal development projects and business growth opportunities

Basic Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree and 10 years (or 9 years with a STEM degree) of related experience as defined below; OR a master’s degree and 8 years (or 7 years with a STEM degree) of related experience as defined below

  • Professional experience in project management, program management, engineering, capture efforts, and/or business management related functions

  • 7 years of functional and/or technical leadership experience

  • Proven experience managing a hardware development program

  • Experience with customer and stakeholder relationship management

  • Proven presentation/briefing development experience

  • Experience using program management tools such as Earned Value Management System (EVMS), Integrated Master Plan (IMP), Integrated Master Schedule (IMS), Risk and Opportunity Management

  • Experience supporting U.S. Government proposal activities that includes BOE development and writing contributions on proposal artifacts

  • Current/Active Top Secret Security Clearance at time of application (adjudicated within the last 5 years) and the ability to obtain and maintain access to Special Compartmented Information (SCI)

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Proven experience leading an engineering and manufacturing development (EMD) and/or production program

  • Experience in contract negotiation including fee structure, terms and conditions, and work scope

  • Experience in implementing effective risk mitigation plans

  • Ability to work independently with limited oversight

  • Track record as an effective collaborator, communicator and problem solver who is able to develop and maintain good working relationships with internal and external stakeholders

  • Experience developing capabilities to build diverse and inclusive teams with high levels of engagement, including mentoring and coaching

  • Possess excellent verbal and written communication skills

  • Active TS/SCI Clearance at time of application

  • Ability to qualify for access to Special Access Programs (SAPs) within a reasonable amount of time as determined by business needs

Primary Level Salary Range: $184,300.00 - $276,500.00

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.