Software Area Manager - Board Support

General Dynamics Corporation; Sterling Heights (MI); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare including medical, dental,–

401k match

Educational assistance

9-80 work schedule

Onsite cafeteria

Wellness and fitness facilities

Job summary

General Dynamics Land Systems seeks a Board Support Software Area Manager to lead and direct a team of engineers developing BSPs, device drivers, bootloaders, and low-level tests for embedded platforms used in combat vehicles.

You will collaborate with Systems, Hardware, and Vehicle Software teams to ensure robust, reusable software delivered on schedule, while meeting cost, quality, and performance goals. This role requires DoD-related compliance and strong leadership.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, Computer Engineering or similar engineering discipline.
• 10+ years of work related experience, 3+ in a management role preferred.
• Expert level in Microsoft Office suite applications.
• Knowledge and use of Linux, Unix and code management tools Git and Bitbucket, Java, C#, C++, Python, QT.
• Knowledge of ISO 9001/ISO 14001, OHSAS18001 and CMMI standards.
• Experience with EVMS (Earned Value Measurement Systems).
• Be a self-starter and able to work in a fast paced environment.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and technical direction to Board Support Software Engineers.
• Conduct interviews, hire and mentor new employees.
• Oversee design, implementation, integration, and verification of BSP, device drivers, bootloaders, and diagnostics for embedded platforms.
• Guide architecture decisions regarding hardware abstraction, OS/RTOS integration, and interfaces between hardware and software.
• Support hardware selection and design reviews with software perspectives.
• Ensure robust configuration management, documentation, and traceability.
• Provide guidance on hardware requirements per customer specs.
• Ensure compliance with SAR, DoD, and CDRL requirements.
• Manage budgets and schedules to meet program costs and deadlines.
• Coordinate tasks for area software engineers by experience/skill.
• Develop and track department metrics; participate in proposals and reviews.

Skills

Leadership

Software architecture

Embedded software

C/C++

Linux

Project management

Communication

Education

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science/Engineering

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

Git

Bitbucket

QT

Job description

General Dynamics Land Systems builds 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 and future-ready modernization for customers around the world. Join the people who design, build and advance the systems that protect those who protect us. Our teams see beyond the horizon, solving problems before they become challenges.

Lets shape the future of General Dynamics Land Systems together.

About the Role:

The Board Support Software Area Manager is a technical leadership role responsible for planning, directing, and executing all activities related to board support software (BSP, device drivers, low-level diagnostics, and related tooling) for GDLS platforms. This leader will manage a team of engineers developing and sustaining software that enables embedded computing hardware used in combat vehicle systems and other mission-critical applications. The Area Manager will partner closely with Systems Engineering, Hardware Engineering, Vehicle Software, Test, and Program Management to ensure board support software is robust, reusable, and delivered on schedule to meet program cost, quality, and performance objectives.

Responsibilities/ Assignments:

• This role is responsible for providing leadership and technical direction to our software Board Support Software Engineers that develop and deliver high quality work that goes into our combat vehicles
• Will conduct interviews, hire and mentor new employees ensuring the technically competency is successful in order to execute projects
• Oversee design, implementation, integration, and verification of board support packages, device drivers, bootloaders, and low-level diagnostics for embedded computing platforms
• Guide architecture decisions related to hardware abstraction, OS/RTOS integration, and interface layers between hardware and higher-level software
• Support hardware selection and design reviews by providing software and integration perspectives
• Ensure robust configuration management, documentation, and traceability for all board support software artifacts
• Provides guidance on the hardware requirements and specifications of the design descriptions per the customers specs
• Ensures that the SAR (Special Access Requirements), Military Standards (DoD) and CDRL (Contract Data Requirements List) are followed and in compliance
• Manages section budgets and timeframe schedules to ensure deliverables are met, on time and within budgeted costs
• Is responsible for the coordination and assignment of tasks for the area software engineers aligning duties with experience level and skill sets
• Ensures that all of the software tools and training for staff is met
• Develops and tracks department metrics
• Involvement and input with proposals for customers along with presentations when needed
• Participates in technical and program reviews regarding vehicles and software
• May be involved with ISO and CMMI audits and certifications along with following department and GDLS processes

This Role also has People Leader Responsibilities:

• Provide technical and people leadership for the Board Support Software area, including staffing, mentoring, performance management, and career development of engineers
• Drive continuous improvement in productivity, quality, and reuse across programs and platforms
• Reviews manpower demands and ensures accuracy and staffing commitments are met
• Will conduct interviews, hire and mentor new employees ensuring the technically competency is successful in order to execute projects
• Performs quarterly and yearly performance reviews of personnel and conducts staff meetings; Creates an environment of teamwork and inter-group coordination amongst staff & will address personnel issues as required in accordance with the GDLS Code of Ethics
• Maintain a work environment that is oriented to product quality and customer satisfaction
• Performs other duties as assigned, to include acting as primary Software Lead on individual software projects
• Define and maintain the technical roadmap for board support software capabilities, aligning with GDLS product and technology strategies
• Establish and enforce engineering best practices, coding standards, and development processes for low-level and embedded software

Minimum Qualifications / What you must have

• Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, Computer Engineering or similar engineering discipline
• 10 years plus of work related experience, 3 plus in a management role preferred
• Expert level in Microsoft Office suite applications
• Knowledge and use supporting Linux, Unix and utilizing code management tools GIT and Bitbucket, Java, C#, C++, C Python, QT
• Knowledge of ISO 9001/ISO 14001, OHSAS18001 and CMMI standards
• Experience with EVMS (Earned Value Measurement Systems)
• Be a self-starter and working in a fast paced environment
• The candidate will need to have strong written and oral communication skills

Bonus Requirements:

• Advanced degree (MS, PhD) in Software Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or Robotics Engineering
• Experience working with or in a military or federal environment
• Experience with Cyber Security principles and implementation considerations
• Experience managing an Agile software backlog
• Familiarity with Model Based Engineering (SysML, UML, etc.) and tools
• Familiarity with the use of Hypervisors and containers

Additional Information:

• Due to the nature of the work, US Citizenship is required; No sponsorship offered
• Must be able to obtain/hold secret clearance
• Prior experience working on ground based Military Vehicles desired
• Able to bring continuous improvement processes and methodologies to the position
• Able to work overtime when required
• Limited travel may be required

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.

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
• Modern office, onsite cafeteria including Starbucks Cafe, remodeled fitness center, and outdoor fitness track

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.

General Dynamics Land Systems is a global leader in the design, development, production, support and innovation of tracked and wheeled military vehicles.