Area Manager, Sustainment Field Execution Program Management

About GDLS

We Serve Those Who Protect What Matters.

At General Dynamics Land Systems, we build the combat vehicles and integrated technologies that give soldiers a decisive advantage. We design, engineer and sustain advanced tracked and wheeled systems paired with modern electronic architecture, AI-enabled capabilities and autonomy-ready technology. From Abrams to LAV, Stryker to AJAX, robotic platforms to software solutions and beyond, our portfolio delivers proven performance for customers around the world. Thats why Soldiers and Marines have trusted General Dynamics Land Systems products in the toughest conditions for decades. We deliver the power to win. Every day, our global team looks beyond the horizon, solving problems before they become challenges. Bring your talent.

Bring your purpose. Lets shape the future of General Dynamics Land Systems together.

Role Summary

The Area Manager, Sustainment Field Execution Program Management serves as a key leadership role within the CSS organization, acting as a trusted deputy to the Department Manager and leading a team of Sustainment Project Managers. This position is responsible for endtoend field execution of sustainment activities across assigned programs, including retrofit campaigns, material and spares procurement, Field Service Representative (FSR) management, detailed fielding support and System Integration/Check Out (SICO), New Equipment Training (NET), Operator NET (OPNET), and institutional training support. The Area Manager drives alignment between the CSS Project Office and field operations, ensures disciplined cost/schedule/performance management, and partners with internal and external stakeholders to deliver safe, reliable, and supportable GDLS vehicle capabilities to the customer.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as a trusted deputy to the Department Manager, collaborating on strategy, priorities, and daytoday execution of sustainment activities across assigned programs, including contingency operations planning in support of global operations.
• Lead, coach, and develop a team of Sustainment Project Managers, driving disciplined execution of retrofit, procurement, FSR management, fielding/SICO, NET/OPNET, institutional training support, and contingency operations plans.
• Plan and manage field execution with field managers, including retrofit installation windows, FSR coverage, detailed fielding support, System Integration/Check Out (SICO) events, and actions required to maintain at least 90% operational availability for programunique assemblies and subassemblies.
• Oversee sustainmentrelated training activities (NET, OPNET, institutional training), ensuring alignment with vehicle configuration, fielding schedules, contingency requirements, and customer operational timelines.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, representing the Department Manager as needed and ensuring alignment on sustainment priorities, risks, performance, and global contingency support.
• Direct development and management of budgets, forecasts, and trackers for assigned contracts, covering material and spares procurement, FSR labor and travel, fielding/SICO, training events, and inventory management of unique parts and STTE; oversee ETC/EAC reviews and LOCN updates.
• Oversee required reports, documentation, and balanced scorecards in accordance with contractual and internal guidance, providing clear, timely sustainment metrics, including operational availability, retrofit progress, inventory posture for unique parts/STTE, and contingency readiness, to the Department Manager and leadership.
• Provide or coordinate engineering technical support to field teams for assigned GDLS vehicle families, ensuring issues from retrofit, fielded configurations, SICO findings, FSR reports, training feedback, and contingency operations are resolved and fed back into sustainment and inventory plans.

Position Requirements

• Bachelors degree
• 10+ years of progressive experience in finance, program finance, or related discipline, preferably within the defense industry
• Proficiency in using ORACLE and associated computer systems.
• Able to demonstrate time management skills and work with diverse groups of employees and customers.
• Project management /Program management experience
• Knowledge of Sustainment and Finance activities
• Experience working with USG/DoD customers desired
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Excel.
• Ability to multi-task and manage workday efficiently in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience in proposal development, follow-on contract negotiations and knowledge of government contracts is a plus.

What We Offer

• We offer a Total Rewards package that is Impactful and built for you
• Healthcare including medical, dental, vision, HSA and Flex Spending
• Competitive base pay and incentive pay that rewards individual and team performance, and comprehensive benefits
• 401k match up to (6%)
• Educational assistance
• 9-80 work schedule (This positions standard work schedule is a 9/80. The 9/80 schedule allows employees who work a nine-hour day Monday through Thursday to take every other Friday off)
• On-going learning opportunities rewarding work environment
• (Sterling Heights Facility) Modern office, onsite cafeteria including Coffee Cafe, remodeled fitness center, and outdoor fitness track

GDLS considers factors such as, scope/responsibilities of the position, candidate experience, education/training background, in addition to local market comparable and business considerations when extending an offer.

Disclaimer

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.