Assistant Program Manager ITPP – GM Defense

GM•Austin, TX

6d•Remote

About The Position

The Assistant Program Manager supports business and execution outcomes across GM Defense and ITPP programs. These programs may include vehicle platforms, integrated technology solutions, power and propulsion initiatives, customer-specific adaptations of GM commercial products, and selected MILCOTS-related efforts for U.S. and international government customers. This customer-facing role supports the primary Program Manager as the main point of contact for U.S. and international government customers and helps drive scope, schedule, cost, quality, risk, and team performance. The Assistant Program Manager will primarily support a Program Manager who owns overall program outcomes and will independently own and execute smaller, lower-risk programs and/or workstreams under the guidance of a more senior Program Manager. The ideal candidate has experience contributing to complex, cross-functional vehicle or defense programs, brings strong financial discipline and business acumen, with a developing sense of program P&L ownership. They are skilled at collaborating with and coordinating high-performing cross-functional teams, thrive in ambiguity, and demonstrate problem-solving leadership with appropriate guidance and oversight. Experience working with GM Truck program teams or similar vehicle platform teams, with an understanding of vehicle content, customer value, and how commercial capabilities can be adapted to unique defense and government mission needs is also ideal.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required.
5+ 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 experience supporting program or project management of complex, cross-functional initiatives (PMI-certified or equivalent experience is a plus).
Demonstrated ability to work effectively in cross-functional teams and to influence and align diverse stakeholders.
Experience with system integration (mechanical, electrical, armor/upfit, or systems-level integration) and associated validation/manufacturing challenges is strongly preferred.
Strong business acumen with experience in and understanding of financial tracking during program execution, including budgets, forecasts, and basic profitability management, with keen attention to detail.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including preparation and delivery of materials for executive-level briefings.
Proficient in Microsoft Office, including PowerPoint, Excel, Word, and Project.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, business administration, or a related technical/business field.
MBA or equivalent advanced degree.
Experience supporting vehicle, defense, technology, power, propulsion, or government customer programs, ideally involving commercial platforms or technologies adapted for mission-specific applications.
Familiarity with special-purpose vehicle programs, integrated technology programs, power and propulsion systems, armored vehicles, MILCOTS offerings, or similar government/commercial hybrid solutions.
Experience with GM or equivalent OEM platform programs, including truck program teams, full-size SUV/truck programs, battery systems, alternate propulsion, or other emerging technology integration.
Familiarity with the defense industry, including DoD acquisition frameworks, business development, portfolio planning, engineering, manufacturing, finance, accounting, purchasing, and supply chain.

Responsibilities

Support end-to-end execution of multiple, simultaneous programs from capture through delivery and sustainment, using GMD’s gated processes.
Assist in defining, developing, and managing product program content for vehicles, including content/feature decisions, change control, and cost/weight/performance trade-offs.
Coordinate vehicle integration (chassis, armor, powertrain, electrical, software, and upfit content) with engineering, ensuring technical feasibility, manufacturability, safety, and in-service performance.
Help maintain program imperatives (scope, schedule, cost, resources, risk, quality) and support establishment and maintenance of standard operating mechanisms (e.g., integrated master schedule, risk register, financial reviews, issue dashboards).
Prepare materials and support the Program Manager in chairing and/or representing programs in internal forums (PET, VPIT, Dev-Val, ECE Ops, gate reviews), ensuring clear decisions, escalations, and accountability for closure.
Independently lead smaller, well-bounded projects or sub-programs, with clear scope, defined risk profile, and guidance from the Program Manager.
Support the cross-functional Program Execution Team (PET) for assigned GM Defense and ITPP programs, including engineering, manufacturing, quality, supply chain, contracts, finance, sustainment, and business development.
Integrate supporting functional processes (engineering release, sourcing, validation, manufacturing readiness, quality, sustainment) into coherent and executable plans for assigned workstreams and help expand/update processes when needed.
Identify, quantify, and help mitigate program risks and issues, including development and tracking of contingency plans and gap-closure actions with clear owners and dates.
Assist in optimizing and managing program workflows, eliminating waste and improving responsiveness, quality, and predictability.
Support the Program Manager as a key interface to government and industry partners for programs, participating in day-to-day interactions and formal reviews (e.g., PMRs, IPRs, customer gate reviews).
Prepare content and analysis to represent assigned programs in support of business development and capture activities, including shaping requirements, proposal content, rough order of magnitude estimates, pricing inputs, and execution plans.
Independently represent select smaller programs or workstreams in customer discussions, aligned with guidance from the Program Manager.
Serve as a role model for GM Behaviors and GM Defense culture within the program team.
Support onboarding, coordination, and day-to-day direction of program coordinators or other support staff as assigned, without formal direct-report responsibility.
Help establish clear expectations, behavioral norms, and performance standards within the program team; provide informal feedback and peer coaching where appropriate.
Foster a culture of safety, compliance (including CUI/ITAR), integrity, and continuous improvement.
Maintain effectiveness in changing environments, technologies, and mission priorities while balancing Government/Customer and GM Defense objectives.