Staff Program Manager, Data Engineering
Hybrid: This role is categorized as hybrid. This means the successful candidate is expected to report to the Technical/Innovation Center in Warren (MI) or Austin (TX) three times per week, at minimum or other frequency dictated by the business.
Are you energized by the opportunity to lead transformative data initiatives that shape the future of automotive and mobility innovation?
The Role
We are looking for a visionary Staff Program Manager to drive strategic programs within our Data Engineering organization. Whether your passion lies in Vehicle Data Engineering, Manufacturing, Customer & Marketing Analytics, Autonomous Vehicle Data, or Data Governance, this role places you at the heart of GM’s mission to deliver smarter, safer, and more connected experiences through data.
As a cross-functional leader, you’ll collaborate closely with engineering, product, and executive teams to guide a portfolio of complex software programs from concept to launch. You’ll bring clarity to ambiguity, foster alignment across diverse stakeholders, and champion delivery excellence. This is your chance to make a tangible impact – steering high-visibility initiatives that unlock the full potential of data across GM’s global ecosystem.
What You’ll Do
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Own end-to-end program execution across a portfolio of 4-6 major initiatives, ensuring timely delivery, quality outcomes, and alignment with business goals.
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Define and manage program scope, timelines, resources, and dependencies, proactively identifying risks and implementing mitigation strategies.
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Drive strategic roadmaps with clear capabilities and priorities, ensuring completeness of product requirements and seamless integration across teams.
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Champion cross-functional collaboration, connecting the dots between engineering, product, legal, marketing, and other stakeholders to ensure cohesive execution.
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Lead change management and governance practices, incorporating best-in-class development workflows, CI/CD, SRE, and DevOps principles.
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Serve as the escalation point for all program-related issues, bottlenecks, and risks – owning resolution and ensuring momentum.
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Ensure data engineering work is accurately reflected in tools like Jira and Align, maintaining transparency and accountability.
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Mentor and guide program team members, fostering a culture of excellence, continuous improvement, and operational efficiency.
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Communicate with clarity and impact, delivering compelling updates and insights through storytelling and data-driven presentations.
Your Skills & Abilities (Required Qualifications)
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8+ years of experience in engineering, program management, or technical project/program leadership within complex enterprise environments
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Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field (or equivalent practical experience)
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Demonstrated success leading large-scale, cross-functional programs, ideally in data-centric domains
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Proven ability to drive collaboration across technical and business teams to deliver cohesive, high-impact outcomes
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Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to communicate complex technical concepts clearly to diverse audiences
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Effective leadership and mentoring skills, with a track record of fostering innovation, accountability, and team alignment
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Deep understanding of program management methodologies (Agile, hybrid, scaled delivery models) and proficiency with tools such as Jira, Confluence, and Agile planning platforms (e.g., Jira Align)
What will give you a competitive edge (Preferred Qualifications)
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Advanced degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or an MBA with a technical focus
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Hands-on experience with data engineering concepts, including data pipelines, architectures, and systems integration
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Experience managing full program portfolios for engineering teams, including roadmap planning and execution oversight
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Familiarity with building dashboards and reporting tools using BI platforms (e.g., Tableau, Power BI, Looker) to support data-driven decision-making
Company Vehicle: Upon successful completion of a motor vehicle report review, you will be eligible to participate in a company vehicle evaluation program, through which you will be assigned a General Motors vehicle to drive and evaluate. Note: program participants are required to purchase/lease a qualifying GM vehicle every four years unless one of a limited number of exceptions applies.
GM DOES NOT PROVIDE IMMIGRATION-RELATED SPONSORSHIP FOR THIS ROLE. DO NOT APPLY FOR THIS ROLE IF YOU WILL NEED GM IMMIGRATION SPONSORSHIP NOW OR IN THE FUTURE. THIS INCLUDES DIRECT COMPANY SPONSORSHIP, ENTRY OF GM AS THE IMMIGRATION EMPLOYER OF RECORD ON A GOVERNMENT FORM, AND ANY WORK AUTHORIZATION REQUIRING A WRITTEN SUBMISSION OR OTHER IMMIGRATION SUPPORT FROM THE COMPANY (e.g., H-1B, OPT, STEM OPT, CPT, TN, J-1, etc.).
This job may be eligible for relocation benefits.
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