Program Manager, MILCOTS Vehicles Programs - GM Defense

About this role

Job Description Work Arrangement: Remote/Hybrid - This role is based remotely, but if you live within a 50-mile radius of Austin, Warren, Mountain View or Milford, you are expected to report to that location three times a week, at minimum.

About GM Defense GM Defense (GMD) continues a 100-year legacy of designing, validating, and manufacturing vehicles and equipment in support of defense and other government customers. Within GM Defense, the MILCOTS portfolio delivers militarized commercial off-the-shelf (MILCOTS) vehicles – including Suburban and Silverado Off-road Trucks – tailored to demanding tactical, security, and international defense missions.

The Role: The Program Manager – MILCOTS owns the business and execution outcomes for commercial vehicle programs. These programs involve sale of GM commercial vehicles to international customers with little or no modifications. Domestic sales are also included when modifications are required. This customer-facing role serves as the primary point of contact for U.S. and international government customers and is accountable for scope, schedule, cost, quality, risk, and team performance. The ideal candidate: • Has a proven record leading complex, cross-functional vehicle or defense programs.

• Brings strong financial discipline and business acumen, with clear ownership of program P&L outcomes.

• Skilled at building, leading, and developing high-performing teams.

• Thrives in ambiguity and demonstrates problem-solving leadership with minimal oversight.

• Experience working in / with the GM Truck program team(s) and understanding the vehicle content and value of the product and how it can support the needs of the unique customer.

What You'll Do Program execution and governance • Lead end-to-end execution of multiple, simultaneous programs from capture through delivery and sustainment, using GMD’s gated processes.

• Define, develop, and manage product program content for vehicles, including content/feature decisions, change control, and cost/weight/performance trade-offs.

• Oversee and coordinate vehicle integration (chassis, armor, powertrain, electrical, software, and upfit content), with engineering, ensuring technical feasibility, manufacturability, safety, and in-service performance.

• Own program imperatives (scope, schedule, cost, resources, risk, quality) and establish standard operating mechanisms (e.g., integrated master schedule, risk register, financial reviews, issue dashboards).

• Chair and/or represent programs in internal forums (PET, VPIT, Dev-Val, ECE Ops, gate reviews), driving clear decisions, escalations, and accountability for closure.

Cross-functional leadership and decision making • Lead and manage the cross-functional Program Execution Team (PET) for MILCOTS, including engineering, manufacturing, quality, supply chain, contracts, finance, sustainment, and business development.

• Integrate all supporting functional processes (engineering release, sourcing, validation, manufacturing readiness, quality, sustainment) into a coherent and executable plan, and expand/update processes when needed.

• Identify, quantify, and mitigate program risks and issues, including development of contingency plans and gap-closure actions with clear owners and dates.

• Optimize and manage program workflows, eliminating waste and improving responsiveness, quality, and predictability.

Customer interface and external leadership • Serve as the primary interface to government and industry partners for programs, leading day-to-day interactions and formal reviews (e.g., PMRs, IPRs, customer gate reviews).

• Represent MILCOTS programs in support of business development and capture activities (e.g., shaping requirements, proposal content, ROMs, pricing inputs, and execution plans).

People leadership and culture • Directly lead and develop program management staff (e.g., Assistant Program Managers, coordinators) and provide matrix leadership to cross-functional PET members.

• Establish clear expectations, behavioral norms, and performance standards; provide regular feedback, coaching, and development opportunities.

• Foster a culture of safety, compliance (including CUI/ITAR), integrity, and continuous improvement consistent with GM Behaviors.

• Maintain effectiveness in changing environments, technologies, and mission priorities while balancing Government/Customer and GM Defense objectives.

Your Skills & Abilities (Required Qualifications): • Bachelor’s degree required.

• 7+ years of progressive experience in Quality, Manufacturing, Engineering, Purchasing, Supply Chain, or other business/operations disciplines or related field.

• Candidate must either be a U.S. Person (U.S. citizen, U.S. permanent resident, asylee, or refugee) or a non-U.S. Person who is eligible to obtain any required export control authorization.

• U.S. citizenship is required to comply with federal government contract provisions expressly restricting this role to U.S. citizens.

• Demonstrated program management or project management leadership of complex, cross-functional initiatives.

• Demonstrated cross-functional leadership with the ability to influence and align diverse stakeholders and senior leaders.

• Experience with vehicle integration (mechanical, electrical, armor/upfit, or systems-level integration) and associated validation/manufacturing challenges.

• Strong business acumen with experience and understanding of financial tracking during program execution, including budgets, forecasts, and profitability management, with keen attention to detail.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including preparation and delivery of executive-level briefings.

• Proficient in Microsoft Office, including PowerPoint, Excel, Word, and Project.

What Will Give You A Competitive Edge (Preferred Qualifications) • Bachelor’s degree in engineering, business Administration, or a related technical/business field.

• MBA or equivalent advanced degree.

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