Program Manager, Lunar & Advanced Project Programs - GM Defense

The Program Manager, Lunar & Advanced Project Programs - GM Defense is responsible for leading complex, cross-functional initiatives in advanced mobility, robotics, and lunar exploration programs.

About the role

This role involves overseeing the planning, execution, and growth of a portfolio of programs, coordinating with multidisciplinary teams, and preparing executive presentations and reports. The ideal candidate will have a minimum of 7 years of experience leading technical programs, strong program management skills, and the ability to build and manage high-performing teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead the planning, execution, and growth of a portfolio of advanced mobility, robotics, and lunar exploration programs, ensuring successful delivery across schedule, budget, technical performance, and contractual objectives.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for government and industry customers, building trusted relationships while aligning technical requirements, mission objectives, and program milestones.
• Cook up cross-functional teams across engineering, manufacturing, autonomy, robotics, battery systems, supply chain, finance, and business development to deliver integrated technical solutions.
• Support business growth by contributing to proposal development, capture strategies, and future program pursuits, ensuring technical feasibility and resource planning.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate program risks while driving structured decision-making, issue resolution, and continuous communication with executive leadership and external stakeholders.
• Lead, mentor, and develop high-performing program teams, fostering collaboration, accountability, and operational excellence across multiple simultaneous initiatives.
• Prepare executive presentations, customer reviews, technical reports, and program updates to communicate progress, risks, opportunities, and strategic direction.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, Operations, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, or a related discipline.
• Minimum of 7 years of progressive experience leading complex technical programs, cross-functional initiatives, or large-scale projects in engineering, manufacturing, defense, aerospace, or related industries.
• Strong program and project management expertise, with demonstrated success managing budgets, schedules, forecasting, and financial performance.
• Proven leadership experience developing high-performing teams and collaborating across diverse technical and business functions.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and presentation skills with the ability to engage executive leadership, government customers, and industry partners.
• Strong analytical thinking, business acumen, problem-solving abilities, and the capacity to perform effectively in highly ambiguous environments.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools, including Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and Microsoft Project.
• U.S. citizenship is required, along with eligibility to work on government programs subject to export control regulations.

Preferred qualifications

• An MBA or equivalent graduate degree.
• Experience with NASA, Department of Defense, space exploration, robotics, autonomy, or advanced aerospace systems.
• Familiarity with government acquisition and contract management processes.

Benefits

• Remote/hybrid work arrangement.
• Competitive annual base salary ranging from $134,700 to $207,600, based on experience, qualifications, and location.
• Performance-based annual bonus opportunity.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) options.
• Roth Retirement savings plan.
• Life insurance and sickness & accident coverage.
• Paid vacation, holidays, and wellness benefits.
• Tuition assistance and Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Employee vehicle discounts and eligibility for the company vehicle evaluation program (subject to program requirements).
• Opportunity to contribute to innovative defense and advanced mobility technologies with occasional travel (less than 25%).