Dean’s Corporate Advisory Board Member

Nicole “Nikki” Kodama `01
Vice President, B-21 Production (Strike)
Northorp Grumman Aeronautics Systems

Nicole “Nikki” Kodama is vice president and program manager of B-21 Production within the Strike division of the Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems sector, a premier provider of military aircraft, autonomous systems, aerospace structures and next-generation solutions.

In this role, Kodama is responsible for the low-rate initial production program, including production schedules, cost commitments and supplier management.

Previously, she was the vice president of the Aerospace Structures business unit, overseeing production for specialized composites, integrated subassemblies and discriminating technologies in support of commercial, defense and launch programs.

Kodama also served as the B-2 Spirit vice president and program manager, responsible for all aspects of the B-2 program, including development, sustainment and modernization of the aircraft.

Kodama has held various leadership roles in information technology, engineering, program management, capture, strategy, global supply chain and mission assurance since joining Northrop Grumman as a mechanical engineer in 2002. Her background is in military aircraft production and sustainment, specifically in fuel and hydraulic subsystems.

Kodama is the executive co-sponsor for an enterprise-wide program, Women in Science and Engineering, which encourages women to pursue technical career paths. She is also the Aeronautics Systems sector executive sponsor for the Asian Pacific Professional Network employee resource group. Outside of work, she is active in the community and supports several nonprofit organizations, including the Japanese American community and STEM/STEAM education.

Kodama graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles, with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and earned her master’s in business administration from Claremont Graduate University in Claremont, Calif.