Program Manager, Lunar & Advanced Project Programs - GM Defense

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. As part of our growing Lunar efforts, GM is taking our innovation beyond roads and into space, adapting our battery, chassis, and autonomous technologies to help develop vehicles that can significantly expand the range and capabilities of astronauts on the lunar surface. Building on GM’s historic contributions to the Apollo-era Lunar Roving Vehicle and advanced guidance and navigation systems, GM Defense is now working with government and industry partners on next-generation Lunar terrain vehicles for future missions. These vehicles are designed to operate in rugged terrain, extended darkness, and extreme temperatures at the Moon’s poles. GM is developing space-rated battery and mobility technologies that can withstand extreme temperature swings while providing long-term reliability and fault tolerance to help astronauts once again travel safely across the lunar surface. Within this context, our group leads the integration of advanced autonomy, robotics, and vehicle systems to meet the unique needs of Lunar, space, and other advanced defense customers.

GM Defense is seeking a highly motivated and dynamic program leader to own and grow our Lunar portfolio and related advanced programs across current and future mobility, robotics, and other advanced projects, while positioning GM’s commercial EV and advanced technologies for future space and defense applications. This is a strategic, customer-facing people-leader role with responsibility for end-to-end program leadership across concept, capture, contract execution, and delivery and for building and developing a high-performing team. You will serve as the primary point of contact and relationship owner between GM/GMD and key government and industry stakeholders for Lunar and other advanced mobility programs, ensuring clear alignment on mission objectives, technical requirements, and delivery milestones. You will coordinate across internal GM organizations and external industry and mission partners to bring together chassis, autonomy, robotics, and space-rated battery solutions into an integrated Lunar mobility capability. The ideal candidate thrives in highly ambiguous environments, has a strong track record leading complex, cross-functional technical programs, and is eager to help write the next chapter of GM’s role in space exploration. What You’ll Do Lead portfolio-level planning and execution for GM Defense’s Lunar and other advanced mobility and robotics programs, including current projects and future pursuits. Serve as the primary Customer-facing program leader for Lunar and related advanced efforts, managing day-to-day interactions, expectations, and long-term relationships with Government and space-related customers. Own overall program performance (schedule, cost, scope, technical execution, risk) across multiple, simultaneous contracted and pursuit efforts within the Lunar and advanced projects portfolio. Coordinate closely with Business Creation, Business Development, and Product Development leads to shape and deliver executable proposals for Lunar mobility, robotics, and related opportunities, ensuring technical feasibility, realistic timing, and appropriate resourcing. Execute awarded Lunar contracts to achieve customer requirements, exceed expectations, and maximize GM Defense profitability while meeting all contractual and regulatory obligations. Lead the cross-functional program execution team (PET), enabling engineering, autonomy/robotics, battery and mobility systems, manufacturing, supply chain, finance, and other stakeholders to contribute