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F-35 SPM Director 1

Northrop Grumman

Posted today

Job Requirements

Palmdale, CA
Secret Polygraph None
Career Level not specified
$224,300 - $336,500

Job Description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: No

CLEARANCE TYPE: None

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 Aeronautics Systems is seeking a program leader to join our team of qualified, diverse individuals for our F-35 program. This position will be located in either Redondo Beach, CA or Palmdale, CA.

Position Description:
  • Supplier Program Manager (SPM) and Director responsible to lead the supplier management team (SMT) for the Germany Center Fuselage (CF) production supplier, Rheinmetall Aviation. The SPM Lead is responsible and accountable for managing all aspects of subcontractor program performance. This specifically includes cost, quality, schedule, technical, risk, and opportunities on behalf of the IPT to ensure expectations are met.


  • The SPM Lead's responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:


  • Provides Supplier Management team (SMT) leadership and has programmatic responsibility, authority, and accountability for subcontractor performance. The SPM Lead manages and coordinates the SMT within the program to ensure successful supplier scope execution.
  • Establishes a cadence of regular weekly meetings with the Supplier to address SPMT agenda for in-depth review, analysis and joint decisions.
  • Conduct Monthly internal IPT/SMT reviews within NGAS to provide status /progress and review critical issues.
  • Develops and maintains a Responsibility, Authority, and Accountability (RAA) matrix for the lifecycle of the subcontract or purchase order (PO).
  • In total collaboration with the Global Supply Chain Lead and other SMT members, coordinates supplier statement of work development, supplier technical requirement development, and maintenance of those items throughout the program's lifecycle ensuring proper and accurate requirements are flowed to the supplier.
  • Ensures successful supplier program execution in accordance with the supplier statement of work and technical requirements documentation to achieve program requirements.
  • Assesses supplier processes, compliance to the supplier statement of work and technical requirements, and effectiveness in the supplier's ability to deliver safe, reliable, and quality products and/or services that meet all contractual requirements.
  • Conduct separate working Group meetings to provide focus on critical issues or topics that require deep dives.
  • Evaluates leading indicators Metrics/Analysis to assess Supplier progress/performance and trends and implement course corrective action to mitigate.
  • Assesses the supplier effectiveness in critical execution areas including, but not limited to, affordability initiatives, forecasting, managing, and controlling cost using the terms and conditions defined in the subcontract or PO.
  • Works proactively with suppliers to achieve all subcontract technical objectives.
  • Works with SMT technical leadership to ensure identification and evaluation of entry/exit criteria for design/maturity reviews.
  • Assesses the timeliness of the supplier against the program's schedule performance requirements. This includes, but is not limited to, completion of the subcontract or PO, milestones, delivery schedules, risks, opportunities, and administrative requirements.
  • Assesses, manages, and mitigates supplier Risk and Opportunities.
  • Works with the Global Supply Chain Lead, and Buyer / Subcontracts Administrator (SCA) to set the requirements for the applicable performance reporting system (i.e., Supplier Assessment Management System [SAMS]) reporting cycle. This includes ensuring that feedback assignments, supplier ratings, and approvals are completed in a timely manner.
  • Reports supplier performance, including technical, cost, schedule, quality, and customer satisfaction performance, to the IPT Leader and/or Program Manager.
  • Control Account Management for all contract level control accounts on the subcontract. Provide management of the Work Package including driving the Total Cost Management process to ensure management of all elements of cost.


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.

Basic Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's degree and 10 years (or Bachelor of Science in STEM and 9 years) of related experience as defined below, OR a Master's degree and 8 years (or Master of Science in STEM 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, engineering, capture efforts, and/or business management related functions.
  • 3 years in program or project leadership roles.
  • Progressive engineering, supply chain, operations, production program management or business leadership experience inclusive of pursuit, capture, design, development, EMD, low-rate initial production and full rate production.
  • 10+ years production program experience or aircraft program experience.
  • Demonstrated experience managing revenue, profit and cash performance of programs.
  • Required international travel minimum 25%.
  • Must have an active U.S. Government Secret or higher clearance (with a background investigation completed within the last 6 years or currently enrolled into Continuous Evaluation).
  • Must have the ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program (SAP) clearance within a reasonable period of time, as determine by the company.


Preferred Qualifications:
  • Demonstrated experience operating and leading in a team environment, and to teaching/mentoring others to manage in same way.
  • Demonstrated experience resolving disputes and negotiating with positive outcome while maintaining good relationships with the suppliers and customers.
  • Strong formal and informal communication skills with all levels of internal and external management.


Primary Level Salary Range: $224,300.00 - $336,500.00

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.
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Northrop Grumman solves the toughest problems in space, aeronautics, defense and cyberspace to meet the ever-evolving needs of our customers worldwide. Our 90,000 employees are Defining Possible every day using science, technology and engineering to create and deliver advanced systems, products and services. Northrop Grumman careers and internships are as varied as your interests, with a lifetime of potential that will allow you to work together with people from many backgrounds, personal passions and disciplines. © 2025 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.
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