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Manager of Project Management 3 - Mission Assurance

Northrop Grumman

Palmdale, CAJob$160–239K/yrSeen 1w agoSeen in employer's feed 4 days ago

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At a glance

Compensation
$160–239K/yr
Location
Palmdale, CA
Work Authorization
US work authorization required

Olive lists jobs from US employers, including remote roles you can work from the United States.

Requirements

Credentials this posting asks for.

Secret clearance

Job overview

Northrop Grumman is hiring a Manager of Project Management 3 to lead Mission Assurance for its Strike Division in Palmdale, California. The role supports division strategy, operational execution, performance measurement, planning, and employee engagement, and participates in the Mission Assurance Leadership Team. Candidates need a qualifying degree and related experience, an active Department of Defense clearance, and the ability to obtain or maintain Special Program Access.

Skills & qualifications

RequiredNice to have

Skills

Project ManagementProgram ManagementMission AssuranceBuild IPTEngineeringBusiness ManagementOrganizational SkillsVerbal CommunicationWritten CommunicationAnalytical SkillsPlanningPresentation SkillsRelationship BuildingConfidentialityFinancial AnalysisProblem SolvingAttention to DetailStrategic ThinkingPrioritizationMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft PowerPointSharePointCompany OperationsSector OperationsJiraConfluenceAgile ToolsA3Lean Six SigmaRoot Cause AnalysisCorrective ActionValue Stream MappingSystems EngineeringCost Account ManagementProgram Lifecycle Management

Qualifications

Bachelor's or Master's DegreeBachelor's+9 or Master's+7 YearsActive DoD ClearanceSpecial Program AccessTravel 25% Domestically

Benefits

Relocation Assistance
Medical Insurance
Paid Time Off

Full job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes

CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret

TRAVEL: Yes, 25% of the Time

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 System (AS) sector is hiring a Manager of Project Management 3 to join our team of qualified, diverse individuals supporting Mission Assurance team and Strike Division. This leadership opportunity will be located in Palmdale, CA.

In this role you will be responsible for ensuring all aspects of Strike Mission Assurance are led effectively and efficiently. You will be a member of the Mission Assurance Leadership Team and will work with other members of the Mission Assurance Leadership Team and staff to ensure day-to-day operational aspects of the organization meet the needs of the functions and programs supported.

Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

  • Support the development of division strategies and objectives with alignment to Sector, Mission Assurance and Program goals

  • Lead communication of strategy, objectives and priorities across multiple sites, functional areas and job levels

  • Set organizational business rhythms and content to evaluate progress on all objectives and performance measurements (financial and non-financial)

  • Assess and refine performance metrics for effectiveness to ensure metrics used are driving the intended behavior or outcome

  • Lead execution of strategic initiatives that affect the overall division or other internal special projects

  • Ensure Strike daily execution and methods align with Functional processes and best practices, identify and drive improvement where needed

  • Support the development and execution of the organization’s Annual Operating Plan and Long-Range Strategic Plan (AOP/LRSP) to include resource planning

  • Proactively manage the materials, data and presentation needs for upcoming events to accurately portray progress and help needed

  • Serve as a representative on select councils and boards

  • Organize and implement employee engagement activities such as Town Halls, Leader Site Visits, and Leadership Forums

Basic Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree and 9 years of related experience as defined below: OR a Master’s degree and 7 years of related experience as defined below;

  • Related experience includes professional and/or military experience to include a background in project management, program management, Mission Assurance, Build IPT, engineering, and/or business management related functions

  • Excellent organizational, verbal, and written communication skills, as well as project management, analytical, planning, and presentation skills are required

  • Demonstrated ability to foster effective relationships with others, including ability to interact effectively with senior level management

  • Demonstrated ability to respect confidentiality and safeguard sensitive information

  • Demonstrated ability to understand detailed program financial performance; strong problem solving and analytical skills

  • Strong analytical capability and attention to detail and accuracy

  • Ability to operate very effectively in an ambiguous environment; identify and proactively determine the best ways to address issues or tasks without specific direction; possess a strategic mindset; identify areas for improvement within the organization and bridge gaps between functions to drive implementation of improvements in identified need areas

  • Ability to think ahead to anticipate potential challenges; ensuring they are addressed in advance or providing recommended options to leadership when necessary. Must collaborate well with the Leadership Team and possess the ability to influence without direct authority to produce results/outcomes

  • Ability to prioritize and complete multiple tasks and projects within critical deadlines

  • Skilled user of Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and SharePoint

  • Strong understanding company and sector operations, policies, procedures and how to navigate them

  • Ability to travel ~25% domestically

  • Must have an active DOD Clearance with the ability to obtain/maintain Special Program Access

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Experience with using and implementing Jira, Confluence and other agile tools

  • A3, Lean Six Sigma or other Root Cause & Corrective Action expertise

  • Value Stream Mapping, Systems Engineering experience or demonstrated ability to apply a systematic approach to problem solving

  • Current or Previous Cost Account Manager (CAM) experience

  • Experience across multiple program lifecycle stages including development, production and sustainment

  • Active Special Program Access

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.

Primary Level Salary Range: $159,500.00 - $239,300.00

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.

Job Category: Program Management

How this job compares

Set against the 10,754 open Program Management jobs on Olive Jobs, counted November 4, 2026.

Pay
  • This posting$160–239K/yr
  • California median$148–220K/yr1,083 salary ranges
  • US median$127–201K/yr7,770 salary ranges

This range's midpoint, $199K, is 6% above the California median midpoint ($188K) — in the middle half of Program Management salary ranges in California.

Openings
Olive Jobs lists 1,349 open Program Management jobs in California and 10,754 across the US. 5% of them nationwide are listed as remote or flexible.
Hiring the most in California
Experience
This posting asks for at least 7 years of experience; Program Management postings that state a minimum ask for 7 years at the median (9,229 postings).
Education
4,238 of the 10,754 open Program Management jobs (39%) ask for a bachelor's degree or higher.

Counted across the open, public US postings on Olive Jobs on November 4, 2026. Pay medians are the middle values of the low ends and of the high ends of postings that list both ends of a range in the same cadence (a yearly salary or an hourly rate); a range's midpoint is halfway between its ends. Pay and experience figures resting on fewer than 20 postings are left out.

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