Northrop Grumman has appointed Gordon R. Stewart as vice president of Laser Systems with responsibility for the company's Apopka site operations, effective immediately. In his new position, Stewart will be located in Apopka and have executive responsibility for all laser systems programs within the company's new Rolling Meadows, Ill.-based Land Forces Division.

Stewart joined the company in 1985 and has held a number of leadership positions in the engineering organization including director of software engineering for the company's Defensive Systems Division (DSD), and director of DSD engineering. Since 2006, he has served as director of technology and strategic development for DSD.

Stewart earned a bachelor's degree in computer science from the University of Illinois and a master's degree in technology management from the University of Phoenix. He has completed the General Manager's Program at Harvard University and the African-American Leadership Institute program at University of California, Los Angeles.