Manufacturing Operations Manager - Level 2

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: No relocation assistance available CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: No CLEARANCE TYPE: None TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the Time Description 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’s Space Sector is seeking a Manufacturing Operations Manager – Level 2 to join our team in Dulles, VA.       We are seeking an experienced Functional Manufacturing Operations Manager (M2) to lead the Component Test Lab (CTL) within the Manufacturing and Operations organization. The CTL Manager will be responsible for day‑to‑day leadership of the CTL team, ownership of lab capability and readiness, and alignment of CTL test execution with program, I&T, and design engineering needs. This role will drive improvements in first‑pass success for box‑level components through disciplined test practices, robust EGSE/Test Systems, and close collaboration with design and I&T teams. The successful candidate will combine strong technical depth in electronic/box‑level testing and EGSE/test systems with proven people leadership, operational discipline, and a continuous‑improvement mindset.   This position will work a 9/80 schedule, with every other Friday off.   In this job, you will: • Team and Functional Leadership: Lead, develop, and manage a team of CTL test engineers and technicians, including performance management, staffing, onboarding, and career development. Set clear expectations for safety, quality, schedule adherence, and disciplined use of lab processes and tools. • Lab Operations, Capability, and Readiness: Own day‑to‑day CTL operations, including work prioritization, resource allocation, and staffing alignment to program demand. Ensure CTL test infrastructure (EGSE, test fixtures, equipment, software, and facilities) is maintained, calibrated, safe, and ready to support program schedules. • Test Execution and Quality: Oversee planning and execution of box‑level and component‑level tests, ensuring compliance with requirements, procedures, and quality standards. Drive improvements in first‑pass yield for box‑level components by tightening test methodology, setup quality, and defect detection/containment practices. • Technical Integration and EGSE/Test Systems: Provide technical leadership for CTL test systems and EGSE, including architecture, configuration, and troubleshooting of test hardware and software. Lead or support introduction of new test capabilities, automation, and tools to improve throughput, repeatability, and coverage. • Planning, Engagement, and Cross‑Functional Collaboration: Serve as primary CTL interface to programs and senior engineering leadership, providing clear status, risks, mitigation plans, and capacity constraints. Support proposal and planning activities with realistic labor and schedule estimates for CTL work scopes. • Continuous Improvement and Strategy: Define and track key CTL metrics (e.g., first‑pass yield, cycle time, utilization, defect sources) and drive continuous improvement initiatives based on data. Identify and prioritize investments