Material Process Engineering Manager

Relocation Assistance

Relocation assistance may be available.

Northrop Grumman Defense Systems is seeking a Parts, Materials and Processes (PM&P) Material Process Engineering Manager 3 for the Strategic Deterrent Systems (SDS) division Engineering and Manufacturing team. This leadership role will be located in Manhattan Beach, CA and will provide enabling support for all business areas within the SDS portfolio. The position involves supporting the Air Force’s sustainment, development, production, and deployment of hardware and system modifications for Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) Ground and Airborne Launch Control Systems, Launch Facilities, and associated infrastructure.

• Lead the electrical Parts, Materials & Processes (PM&P) effort for large‑scale defense programs, overseeing the full life cycle of electrical hardware such as cables, connectors, printed circuit boards, enclosures, and thermal‑electrical interface materials.
• Develop and maintain Electrical PM&P plans that define baseline requirements for design, development, production, test, and sustainment.
• Provide subject‑matter expertise during design reviews, offering recommendations on material selection, process feasibility, manufacturability, and cost‑effective solutions while ensuring compliance with applicable MIL‑STD‑11991, MIL‑STD‑1568, AS9100, and contract specifications.
• Manage supplier and subcontractor relationships, driving qualification, control, and delivery of electrical components that meet technical, quality, schedule, and security requirements.
• Chair the Program PM&P Control Board (PMPCB), presenting status, risks, and technical decisions to customers and senior leadership.
• Identify cost and schedule risks, develop mitigation plans, and integrate Earned Value Management forecasts for programs typically exceeding $50M in budget.
• Author and present technical content for proposals, milestone reviews, and position papers; support bid‑to‑win activities with accurate cost and technical input.
• Mentor and train junior engineers in best practices for electrical material selection, testing, failure analysis, and PM&P documentation.
• Coordinate cross‑functional collaboration among design, manufacturing, procurement, and quality assurance teams to resolve part and material related challenges promptly.
• Define team operational strategies by working with program management and technical leaders; set objectives, lead first‑line managers, and report progress.
• Improve current processes and optimize organizational procedures for efficiency and productivity.
• Identify opportunities for change and champion improvements within the PM&P organization.
• Navigate ambiguity, develop systemic approaches and strategies to address problems, and build relationships to influence accountability across stakeholders.
• Act with a sense of urgency and accountability, taking ownership of tasks and strategic direction.

• Bachelor of Science degree in a STEM discipline and 8 years of experience; or Master of Science degree in a STEM discipline and 6 years of experience.
• Must have an active U.S. Government DoD Secret security clearance at time of application, current and within scope, with the ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program (SAP) approval within a reasonable period of time.
• Ability to work independently in a dynamic, collaborative environment and adapt to changing directions and priorities.

• Engineering degree in Electrical, Mechanical, Materials, Materials Science, Metallurgical Engineering, or a related field.
• Proven experience interpreting and ensuring compliance with industry and/or military standards for electrical parts and materials.
• Ability to tailor MIL‑STD‑11991 and MIL‑STD‑1568 requirements to program‑specific needs.
• Proficiency with Siemens Teamcenter (or equivalent PLM system).
• Experience with ICBM system design, manufacturing, or sustainment (or comparable high‑energy density electrical systems).
• Working knowledge of SharePoint, JIRA, Confluence, and Microsoft Teams.
• Strong project management background focused on cost and schedule control.
• Experience writing and defending technical…