Northrop Grumman’s Defense Systems Sector seeks a Missile Production Program Director at the senior level to lead advanced missile programs within the Air Warfare Systems (AWS) Operating Unit in Northridge, CA. This role involves overseeing the transition from development to production for next-generation missile capabilities, ensuring affordability and readiness through automation, digital transformation, and machine learning. Key responsibilities include full P&L leadership, industrialization efforts, supplier partnerships, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement within multidisciplinary teams. The ideal candidate has extensive experience in aerospace/defense manufacturing, leading complex product transitions to scaled production, and managing high-performing teams with strong judgment skills. Preferred qualifications include top-secret clearance, prime contractor experience, and expertise in automation and digital manufacturing. This position demands deep domain knowledge and the ability to navigate technical challenges while driving strategic initiatives for national security.
Skills
Digital Manufacturing
Automation
Advanced Analytics
Machine Learning
CI/CD
Kubernetes
AWS
Azure
Google Cloud
Terraform
Docker
Python
SQL
PostgreSQL
MES
PLM
ERP
SCADA
IIoT
DevOps
What you'll do
Own end-to-end production execution for advanced missile programs from development through sustained-rate delivery.
Provide full P&L leadership across multiple production programs, ensuring cost, schedule, quality, and performance commitments are met.
Lead industrialization and scale-up efforts, including factory readiness, capacity planning, workforce growth, and capital deployment.
Drive automation and digital manufacturing transformation to improve throughput, predictability, and quality in missile production.
Build resilient supplier partnerships to ensure capacity, affordability, and long-term sustainability for missile production.
Navigate and resolve complex technical, manufacturing, and supply chain challenges with speed, clarity, and disciplined execution.
What we're looking for
Bachelor’s degree with 15+ years of production, operations, manufacturing, and program execution experience; or Master’s degree with 13+ years of equivalent experience
10+ years leading high-performing cross-functional teams in aerospace/defense sector accountable for cost, schedule, and quality
Experience transitioning advanced products from development to scaled production with revenue, profit, and cash performance management
Strong judgment and decision-making skills balancing execution urgency with long-term business outcomes
Active US Government DoD Secret security clearance with ability to get cleared for SAP
Demonstrated leadership in automation, digital manufacturing, advanced analytics, or AI/ML-enabled production systems
Experience managing and partnering with suppliers and industrial partners
Market check
Salary context
This
$224,300–$336,500
range sits above
90%
of similar postings on FindRole.
Peer median band
$151,000–$236,750
Median floor and ceiling across peers.
Typical midpoint (25–75%)
$157,500–$237,012
Middle half of comparable postings.
Based on 240 comparable postings.*
* 240 is the maximum number of comparable postings sampled.
Employer
About Northrop Grumman
Northrop Grumman is a leading global aerospace and defense technology company providing systems in autonomous systems, cyber, C4ISR, space, strike, and logistics. Industry: Aerospace & Defense
Northrop Grumman currently has
173 open roles
on FindRole.
Listed pay typically runs
$113,900–$170,950
across 168 roles with salary data.
GNC
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Power Systems
Telemetry
Flight Test Instrumentation
Hypersonics
Digital Engineering
Modeling/Simulation
System Level Performance Modeling
High-Speed Aerodynamics
Aerothermal Analysis
Vehicle Integration
CI/CD