Principal or Senior Principal Operations Project Manager

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available
CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes
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.
At the heart of who we are, Northrop Grumman is a leading American manufacturing company delivering advanced technologies in support of national security. Our manufacturing operations in Waynesboro, Virginia support production of advanced electronics, radar, and communication systems within our broader portfolio of defense capabilities. Our teams work collaboratively to ensure manufacturing excellence, production readiness, and continuous improvement across programs.
A current clearance is not required to apply to and interview for this job.
We are looking for you to join our team as a Principal or Senior Principal Operations Project Manager (OPM) to support production and manufacturing operations at our Central Virginia manufacturing facilities.
The Operations Project Manager (OPM) is the primary manufacturing and operations liaison to Program Management, Engineering, Supply Chain, Mission Assurance, and Business Management for one or more production programs. This role drives large-scale manufacturing success by integrating cost, schedule, and technical performance, leading cross-functional execution and continuous improvement in a fast-paced production environment.
What You'll Get To Do:
Serve as the primary manufacturing operations interface to the Program Office and functional organizations for assigned programs.
Lead cross-functional Integrated Product Teams (IPTs) across manufacturing, engineering, supply chain, test, quality, finance, and mission assurance.
Own operations strategy and execution from proposal through delivery, ensuring cost, schedule, quality, and compliance objectives are met.
Act as operations CAM: manage baselines, EVMS metrics, Estimates at Complete, and weekly/monthly business management reporting.
Develop and maintain integrated manufacturing, integration, and test plans.
Coordinate material planning, production scheduling, and factory readiness (equipment, facilities, staffing, tooling) to meet delivery commitments.
Utilize manufacturing execution systems (e.g. ESI, Solumina) and MRP to ensure accurate WBS alignment, demand, and capacity planning.
Monitor and drive performance to operational KPIs (schedule adherence, yield, cycle time, WIP, labor/cost performance) and implement recovery plans as needed.
Lead risk and opportunity management, issue resolution, and RCCA activities with strong focus on compliance and meeting performance standards.
Drive continuous improvement (Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen, etc.), eliminating non-value-added activities and standardizing processes.
Coordinate and support manufacturing proposal inputs (BOEs, labor estimating, bid/resource codes, overhead/labor rates).
Provide clear, concise status and recommendations to program and functional leadership, customers, and other stakeholders.
Present program status to program and functional leaders, clearly communicating cost, schedule and technical updates and along with applicable action plans.
The OPM must have excellent written and verbal communication skills with proven ability to influence across organizational levels.
This job requires the ability to obtain and maintain a Secret clearance plus program clearance. A current clearance is not required to apply to and interview for this job. If you do accept an offer for this position we will start the clearance process immediately, and your start date will be confirmed once you are granted an Interim Secret clearance. The average time to obtain an Interim Secret clearance is about 30 days.
This position may be filled as a Principal Operations Project Manager (level 3) or a Senior Principal Operations Project Manager (level 4) based on the qualifications below.
Basic Qualifications for a Principal Project Manager:
Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 5 years of experience in manufacturing, engineering, operations or project/program management OR Master’s degree with minimum of 3 years of experience in manufacturing, engineering, operations or project/program management.
Experiences across relevant disciplines (Manufacturing, Program Management, Quality, Supply Chain, Engineering, etc.)
Experience leading programs/projects or IPT/CAM activities, delivering on cost, schedule, and technical requirements.
Experience in fast-paced manufacturing and/or development environments managing complex program execution and cross-functional teams.
Working knowledge of manufacturing execution systems (e.g., SAP, Solumina) and Material Requirements Planning (MRP) systems.
Experience managing program execution, including schedule creation, tracking, and adherence.
Strong financial acumen in project/budget management and process control.
Ability to obtain and maintain a US Government Secret Security clearance and higher-level program clearance(s). Interim Secret clearance is required to start.
US citizenship is required.
Basic Qualifications for a Senior Principal Project Manager:
Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 8 years of experience in manufacturing, engineering, operations or project/program management OR Master’s degree with minimum of 6 years of experience in manufacturing, engineering, operations or project/program management
Experiences across relevant disciplines (Manufacturing, Program Management, Quality, Supply Chain, Engineering, etc.)
Experience leading programs/projects or IPT/CAM activities, delivering on cost, schedule, and technical requirements.
Experience in fast-paced manufacturing and/or development environments managing complex program execution and cross-functional teams.
Working knowledge of manufacturing execution systems (e.g., SAP, Solumina) and Material Requirements Planning (MRP) systems.
Experience managing program execution, including schedule creation, tracking, and adherence.
Strong financial acumen in project/budget management and process control.
Ability to obtain and maintain a US Government Secret Security clearance and higher-level program clearance(s). Interim Secret clearance is required to start.
US citizenship is required.
Preferred Qualifications:
Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Business Management, Business Administration, Communications or other related field.
Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.
Demonstrated leadership of complex production or development programs, including EVMS-based cost/schedule management and risk/opportunity management.
Experience leading large or multi-program cross-functional teams and resolving complex technical and operational issues.
Experience developing proposals.
Experience presenting to executives.
Experience with SAP or other Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system in a manufacturing environment.
An active DoD Secret security clearance.
What We Can Offer You:
Northrop Grumman provides a comprehensive benefits package and a work environment which encourages your growth and supports the mutual success of our people and our company. Northrop Grumman benefits give you the flexibility and control to choose the benefits that make the most sense for you and your family.
Your benefits will include the following: Health Plan, Savings Plan, Paid Time Off and Additional Benefits including Education Assistance, Training and Development, 9/80 Work Schedule (where available), and much more!
Primary Level Salary Range: $89,400.00 - $134,200.00
Secondary Level Salary Range: $111,700.00 - $167,500.00
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. An