Production Chief Engineer

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: No

CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret

TRAVEL: Yes, 25% of the TimeDescription

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 looking for a F-35 Chief Engineer for the Production Operating Unit. This leadership role is located in Redondo Beach or Palmdale California with expected travel (25%) to F-35 team locations (~1 day a week) and various customer locations (Ft Worth TX, Eglin, Hill, Nellis AFBs and Lemoore Naval Station approx. once a month).

This position will report directly to the F-35 Chief Engineer Sr. Director and will be a critical member of the Chief Engineering Office for the program. Northrop Grumman supports the F35 Joint Program Office in sustainment, development, production, deployment, and modifications for the F-35 platform for three branches of the DoD and various Foreign Military (FMS) customers.
 

A successful candidate will have demonstrated knowledge and experience developing and managing the technical baseline associated with Air Vehicle Development and Manufacturing.  In addition, leadership and communication skills are essential to help drive issues to closure and provide clear insight to executive leadership.
 

Primary Job Responsibilities (but not limited to):

• Responsibility / technical authority for the F-35 Production Vehicle Engineering Definition Statement of Work

• Maintains technical baseline and oversees technical activities within the Palmdale Production Ops IPT

• Ensure work is being executed to sound Sector, Division & Program Engineering Processes & Tools

• Ensure products are meeting customer requirements and quality expectations within given timelines and affordability targets.

• Responsible for configuration management and managing change through a program Class I / II change process.

• Ensure that all changes are coordinated with NG Production Ops Teams and appropriate program change control boards.

• Responsible for Root Cause Corrective action and disposition of nonconforming Vehicle products on the production line.

• Overseeing preparation, review, approval, and execution of affordable engineering and/or logistics engineering change proposals (ECPs) (LECPs)

• Executing a robust system engineering approach and maximizing reuse across other Air programs support systems to optimize affordability

• Provides metrics-based training to the Engineering staff.

Basic Qualifications:

• Must have a Bachelor’s degree in a Science, Technology, Engineering or Math (STEM) discipline and 14 years of relevant experience, OR a Master’s degree in STEM and 12 years of relevant experience, OR a Ph.D. in STEM and 9 years of relevant experience.

• Must have 4 years of previous technical or programmatic leadership experience.

• Must have demonstrated basic concept knowledge & experience of airframe and aircraft systems including air vehicle, mission computing, communications, and sensors as well as Sustainment disciplines.

• Must have familiarity with leading technical proposals and the ability to lead the customer through reviews of technical performance.

• Must have ability to obtain DoD Secret (or higher) clearance

Preferred Qualifications:

• Previous Experience on the F-35 Program Air Vehicle Team or other Aerospace Vehicle development programs

• Previous experience leading Production Support or MRB activities for a Military Aircraft Platform

• Understanding of Design Engineering/Computer-aided Design (CAD) and engineering releases processes utilizing Product Lifecycle Management tools

• Prior experience with Manufacturing Engineering and Tooling concepts.

• Prior experience with composite, metallic, and assembly manufacturing processes

• Experience leading the performance of tasks on schedule, at cost and achieving all requirements as either project lead, integrated program team or cost account manager

• Strong oral and written communication skills, including demonstrated experience with high value customer presentations, with ability to focus on multiple projects with competing priorities

• Ability to collaborate and achieve consensus when dealing with groups from diverse organizations and backgrounds

• Knowledge of ITAR, International Licensing Requirements and procedures

• Active DoD Secret Clearance with recent investigation (within 6 years).

Primary Level Salary Range: $192,800.00 - $289,200.00

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.