Consultant Chief Engineer (AHT)

About the role

Northrop Grumman is seeking a Consulting Chief Engineer to lead the future of Air Warfare Systems and drive excellence in missile development. This role is located in Northridge, CA and requires a full-time, on-site presence.

Responsibilities

• Drive innovation and technical excellence to ensure the successful delivery of AARGM and AARGM-ER across development, production, and sustainment phases.
• Ensure adherence to rigorous engineering processes across development, verification, production, and sustainment while maintaining compliance with company policies, procedures, and quality standards.
• Balance technical performance with cost and schedule to achieve Key Performance Parameters and Technical Performance Measures.
• Work across teams to promote the Integrated Functional Capability Strategy, advancing standards for hardware-software integration, testing, and delivery.
• Partner with the Advanced Weapons Chief Engineer to ensure alignment of Air Warfare Operating Unit missiles with Advanced Weapons Product Line objectives.
• Lead technical reviews and chair AWS Engineering and Software Configuration Control Boards, ensuring seamless integration across functions and programs.
• Support decision boards like Advanced Weapons Technical Review Board, Heads-Up Display meetings, Test Readiness Reviews, Program Management Reviews, and AWS Risk & Opportunity Management Board.
• Champion long-term strategic technical objectives at the program and portfolio levels.
• Identify opportunities to improve engagement and collaboration across Integrated Product Teams (IPTs) and deliverables.
• Provide technical oversight and conduct focused deep dives into hardware, software, and integration deliverables.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or STEM-related discipline with 16 years of experience, or 14 years with a master’s degree and 12 years of experience with a Ph.D.
• Experience leading engineering teams through design, integration and production of complex systems.
• Demonstrated performance addressing cost, schedule and technical quality for an engineering development or systems integration project.
• Excellent technical leadership skills, decisiveness, and ability to make sound technical judgments with limited information.
• Proven expertise in Air Launched Weapon/Missile Systems Development, with hands-on experience integrating missile seekers, sensors, and software.
• Deep technical foundation in hardware/software integration, embedded systems, and lifecycle management—from concept through production and operations.
• Leadership experience, such as technical lead, IPT lead, or program-level leadership, with demonstrated success in team building, organizational development, and interpersonal communication.

Qualifications

• Extensive knowledge of aerospace systems, including aircraft, missile, avionics, and software systems, and their design drivers.
• Proven expertise in Air Launched Weapon/Missile Systems Development, with hands-on experience integrating missile seekers, sensors, and software.
• Deep technical foundation in hardware/software integration, embedded systems, and lifecycle management—from concept through production and operations.
• Leadership experience, such as technical lead, IPT lead, or program-level leadership, with demonstrated success in team building, organizational development, and interpersonal communication.

Skills

• Technical leadership skills, decisiveness, and ability to make sound technical judgments with limited information.
• Proven expertise in Air Launched Weapon/Missile Systems Development, with hands-on experience integrating missile seekers, sensors, and software.
• Deep technical foundation in hardware/software integration, embedded systems, and lifecycle management—from concept through production and operations.
• Leadership experience, such as technical lead, IPT lead, or program-level leadership, with demonstrated success in team building, organizational development, and interpersonal communication.

Benefits

Living in Northridge offers a perfect combination of urban living with the beauty of nature. It is a short drive away from downtown Los Angeles, the Hollywood Hills, or the rest of the San Fernando Valley. Take advantage of your flexible work schedule to enjoy shopping at the local Northridge Fashion Center or spend time at the local Recreation Center as well as easy access to nearby protected natural areas such as the Chatsworth Reservoir, the Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park, Lake Balboa or within driving distance, spend a day at the beach or snow ski at our local mountains. With Cal State Northridge right in the heart of town, the area has an active college-town energy combined with family-friendly suburban charm. The stunning southern California climate makes for year-round easy living. With an average of 284 sunny days during the year, it is safe to say you’ll have plenty of time to enjoy your outdoor activities to the fullest.

Pay

The primary level salary range for this role is $212,100.00 - $318,100.00. 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.

Schedule

This role requires a full-time, on-site presence in Northridge, CA.