Gail Slemon is a Software and Digital Technology Manager at Northrop Grumman. Gail oversees around 250 employees in San Diego as a Mission Systems software and digital technology manager. Her story is a living example of career paths that open when women inspire women.

Inspired by computing at a young age

As a ninth-grader, Gail took a tour at IBM in her hometown of Honolulu. She saw a computer for the first time and decided her future would be in computing.

Three years later, Gail's mom, a bookkeeper who had worked her way up to assistant vice president at a large bank, persuaded her otherwise. “She convinced me I needed to learn how to build computers before I could actually use them,” says Gail. As a result, Gail earned an electrical engineering degree from Cornell University. At Northrop Grumman, she led the development of software that allows aircraft such as the MH-60 Seahawk helicopter and B-1B and B-52 bombers to digitally obtain situational awareness and commands.

Mentoring young women in STEM

Her working mom had the biggest influence on her career path, but many other women guided her along the way. Now, Gail returns the favor by serving as a mentor to young women in her management role in the Airborne C4ISR Systems Division and by volunteering at science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) events sponsored by Northrop Grumman Employee Resource Groups and University Relations and Recruiting.

Gail has captured the imaginations of Girl Scouts with a talk on the James Webb Space Telescope, worked with underserved students in Compton, California, as part of the Summer Engineering Experience for Kids program, and has led a “code-a-thon” to recruit young software engineering majors to Northrop Grumman.

Gail loves the creative side of STEM. “I like the notion of people creating a bigger and better set of capabilities for people to use to improve their lives," she says.

Passing on the torch 

Gail emphazises that creativity when recruiting and mentoring, and sees her volunteer work as a passing of the torch. “It’s very gratifying that Northrop Grumman has women in management in STEM who are great role models,” adds Gail. “I’d like to introduce more young women to the company so they can grow into those roles in the future.”

Join talented women like Gail at Northrop Grumman

Northrop Grumman is a prime employer for women and leads the way in shattering perceptions about women technologists. If you want to join talented women at Northrop Grumman, search and apply for many fabulous career opportunities. 

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