> Markdown version of [/jobs/ext/1147979-sds-propulsion-smt-technical-lead-16601](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/jobs/ext/1147979-sds-propulsion-smt-technical-lead-16601). Every page supports `.md` or `Accept: text/markdown`. Links point to the HTML versions so they work for humans too. Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # (SDS) Propulsion SMT Technical Lead - 16601 - **Company:** Northrop Grumman - **Location:** Manhattan Beach, CA, United States - **Experience:** Expert - **Salary:** $166,500.0 - $289,200.0 - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Systems Engineering, SAP (Applications) - **Published:** July 2, 2026 - **Apply:** https://www.indeed.com/viewjob?jk=ae5b39a2ab06913b ## About the Role * Bachelor's Degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics) discipline and 14 years of related engineering experience; OR a Master's degree in a STEM discipline and 12 years of related engineering experience; OR a PhD in a STEM discipline with 10 years of related engineering experience. * Willing and able to travel 50% or more between Roy, Huntsville, and Manhattan Beach, as well as various other locations. * 5 years Design and Manufacturing experience in liquid propulsion systems. * Experience working with technology Aerojet supports. For example, aerospace electronic systems, Comms systems, and/or liquid propulsion systems. * Experience with the systems engineering "V" and different phases of the acquisition lifecycle including requirements development to acceptance testing. * Experience in managing a technical baseline. * Active DoD Secret (or higher) clearance (with a background investigation within the past 6 years or enrolled into Continuous Evaluation) with the ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Top Secret clearance. * Ability to obtain and maintain Special Program Access (SAP/PAR)., * Active DoD Top Secret clearance (with a background investigation within the past 6 years or enrolled into Continuous Evaluation). * Prior Supplier Management Experience on a Program in the Development phase. * Technical evaluations of supplier proposals & subsequent contract negotiations. * Experience in managing technical risks and opportunities. * Experience in Earned Value Management (EVM) or being a control account manager (CAM). ## Description As the Aerojet SMT Technical Lead, you will partner with the Program Element and Segment Executives, Global Supply Chain, Mission Assurance, Office of the Chief Engineer, and lead a cross-functional technical team of various systems engineering disciplines managing major supplier efforts focusing on technical excellence and technical rigor. Primary job responsibilities are leading the technical oversite for Aerojet as the main engineering point of contact for the Program. This includes aligning supplier technical activities with overall program technical baseline and verifying supplier technical deliverables are successfully integrated: * Travels up to 50% or more to interface with leadership, customer/supplier, and program milestones. * Develop Aerojet Statements of Work (SSOW) through collaboration with key technical and programmatic stakeholders. * Assists Program and Supplier Management Team Lead (SMTL) in generating technical content for Aerojet Request for Information (RFIs ) / Request for Proposals (RFPs) / etc. * Responsible for Aerojet proposal technical evaluations and supports program and supplier management team lead (SMTL) in negotiations. * Review and approve Aerojet's technical subcontractor deliverables (SDRLs) with guidance from applicable cross functional program Subject Matter Experts (SMEs). * Partner with the SMTL to align Aerojet technical objectives within program cost and schedule constraints. * Establish and track technical goals and commitments for Aerojet to drive maturity and ensure high-quality execution. * Manage and mitigate technical execution risks by monitoring Aerojet technical performance against metrics and addressing identified capability gaps. * Oversee and maintain the SMT technical action item tracker to facilitate communication and accountability with Aerojet. ## Related Videos - [Remote Driving on Plant Grounds with State-of-the-Art Cloud Technologies](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/251-remote-driving-on-plant-grounds-with-state-of-the-art-cloud-technologies) - [Model Based Systems Engineering in an Agile Product Development Process](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/68-model-based-systems-engineering-in-an-agile-product-development-process) - [Independently together: how micro-applications improve developer experience + app performance](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/452-independently-together-how-micro-applications-improve-developer-experience-app-performance) - [Automated Driving - Why is it so hard to introduce](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/628-automated-driving-why-is-it-so-hard-to-introduce) - [Hiring Technical Leaders: Promote from Within or Go External?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100167-hiring-technical-leaders-promote-from-within-or-go-external) - [Replacing Excel with SAP APIs & Python validation](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1944-replacing-excel-with-sap-apis-python-validation) ## Related Articles - [How We Built a Worry-Free System That Runs for 10+ Years – And What We’d Do Again](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/751-how-we-built-a-worry-free-system-that-runs-for-10-years-and-what-we-d-do-again) - [Résumé-Driven Development: How IT trends affect the job market for software developers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/59-resume-driven-development-how-it-trends-affect-the-job-market-for-software-developers) - [Highest Paying Tech Companies for Developers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/220-highest-paying-tech-companies-for-developers) - [Latest Technology Trends 2023: 8 New Inventions That Will Change The World](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/164-latest-technology-trends-2023-8-new-inventions-that-will-change-the-world) - [Dev Digest 121 - AI goes offline](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/456-dev-digest-121-ai-goes-offline) - [Is Software Engineering Over-Saturated?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/418-is-software-engineering-over-saturated)