Staff Enterprise Architect - GM Defense IT

GM Defense; Warren (MI); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

GM Defense is seeking a Staff Enterprise Architect to define and lead the target‑state architecture and transition plan for a scalable IT ecosystem. This role shapes the architecture model and roadmaps, interfacing with internal and external stakeholders to reduce friction across environments.

The ideal candidate has 10+ years in enterprise architecture, with experience in regulated or government contract settings, and strong communication skills to influence leadership and drive execution.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Engineering, Computer Science, or related field.
• 10+ years experience in enterprise architecture, solution architecture, systems design, or related senior IT architecture roles.
• Experience defining end‑to‑end architectures for complex enterprise solutions including application, integration, infrastructure, security, and operations.

Responsibilities

• Lead architect for GM Defense initiatives, including secure environment capabilities, enterprise applications, integrations, and supporting platforms.
• Define and communicate high‑level architecture structures, principles, standards, guardrails, and decision frameworks.
• Partner with stakeholders across cybersecurity, compliance, governance, infrastructure, SAP, and delivery teams to align on architecture direction.

Skills

Enterprise architecture

Regulated environments

Stakeholder alignment

Security & compliance

Government contracts

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

SAP

Job description

Role

GM Defense is driving the future of military mobility by leveraging the best‑in‑class capabilities of General Motors for unmatched innovation, proven performance and breakthrough life‑cycle economics. We deliver reliable, affordable, and innovative products across a full spectrum of capabilities – integrated vehicles, power and propulsion, autonomy, mobility, and security.

Job Description

GM Defense IT is seeking a Staff Enterprise Architect to define and lead the target‑state architecture, standards, and transition approach for a scalable, compliant IT ecosystem. This role will shape the future GM Defense architecture model and the roadmap for reducing operational friction across multiple environments. The position is an expert individual contributor with broad business acumen and wide latitude in decisions and actions. Responsibilities include solving complex cross‑functional problems, influencing key technical and operating‑model decisions, establishing architecture direction and standards across domains, and leading large initiatives that require integration across internal and external stakeholders.

What You’ll Do

• Lead architect for GM Defense initiatives, including secure environment capabilities, enterprise applications, integrations, and supporting platforms required to meet business and regulatory needs.
• Define and communicate the high‑level architecture structures, architecture principles, standards, guardrails, and decision frameworks that guide GM Defense technology direction and support current and future business needs.
• Partner with business stakeholders, cybersecurity, export compliance, information governance, infrastructure, manufacturing, engineering, SAP, and delivery teams to understand needs, evaluate options, and align on the best architecture direction across workstreams and domains.
• Analyze technical trade‑offs, validate assumptions, evaluate implementation alternatives, and make recommendations that balance compliance, scalability, resiliency, maintainability, and speed of delivery.
• Lead application inventory, classification, current‑state disposition, target‑state decisioning, and migration‑wave planning for in‑scope GM Defense applications and platforms.
• Define architecture decision frameworks and guide strategic choices across platforms, hosting models, integrations, and modernization paths.
• Own the target‑state architecture and enterprise roadmap for reducing Fed Zone / LLC operating friction, improving user experience, and supporting a scalable operating model for future growth.
• Lead architecture efforts related to security, compliance, access management, data protection, and other requirements for regulated environments.
• Define enterprise architecture roadmaps, standards, and phased transition plans that enable implementation teams to execute against a clear future‑state direction with reduced risk.
• Support architecture governance and review processes through target‑state architecture views, decision frameworks, architecture design artifacts, and other required documentation that guide execution and traceability.
• Drive alignment and decisions across internal and external stakeholders, including in situations where legacy practices, competing priorities, or differing risk views constrain agreement.
• Act as a strategic thought partner and subject‑matter expert for complex architecture and operating‑model decisions, helping leadership move from strategy to execution and measurable outcomes.

Your Skills & Abilities (Required Qualifications)

• Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Engineering, Computer Science, or related field.
• 10+ years experience in enterprise architecture, solution architecture, systems design, or related senior IT architecture roles.
• Experience defining end‑to‑end architectures for complex enterprise solutions, including application, integration, infrastructure, security, and operational considerations.
• Experience establishing architecture direction, standards, guardrails, and technology roadmaps across one or more business or technical domains.
• Experience architecting or governing secure or highly controlled environments with strong identity, access, network, data protection, auditability, and compliance requirements.
• Experience in regulated or government‑contract environments (defense, aerospace, or other regulated industries).
• Knowledge of government cybersecurity and compliance frameworks such as CMMC, DFARS, NIST SP 800-171, or related controls.
• Experience leading architecture assessments, target dispositions, transition planning, and remediation sequencing across multiple applications, stakeholders, and domains.
• Experience leading architecture work that requires coordination across multiple teams, stakeholders, and domains.
• Strong ability to assess trade‑offs, define non‑functional requirements, and drive architecture decisions in complex environments.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to influence decisions, gain alignment, and present recommendations across technical and business audiences.
• Ability to work independently with broad decision‑making latitude in a fast‑paced, complex environment.

What Will Give You A Competitive Edge (Preferred Qualifications)

• Understanding of government data classifications and handling requirements, including concepts such as CUI, ITAR, EAR, export controls, and classified program sensitivities.
• Knowledge of government cybersecurity and compliance frameworks such as CMMC, DFARS, NIST SP 800-171, or related controls.
• Experience supporting one or more of the following domains: manufacturing, SAP‑enabled business processes, supply chain, customer care and aftersales, engineering, or secure collaboration environments.
• Experience with cloud, integration, infrastructure, and platform architecture in environments that require strong governance and operational discipline.

Success Profile

The strongest candidates will combine architecture depth, business understanding, and practical execution. They should be able to connect strategy to target‑state design, bring structure to ambiguity, influence across organizational boundaries, and deliver secure, supportable solutions that help GM Defense move forward with speed, discipline, and compliance.

Non‑Discrimination and Equal Employment Opportunities (U.S.)

General Motors is committed to being a workplace that is not only free of unlawful discrimination, but one that genuinely fosters inclusion and belonging. We strongly believe that providing an inclusive workplace creates an environment in which our employees can thrive and develop better products for our customers. All employment decisions are made on a non‑discriminatory basis without regard to sex, race, color, national origin, citizenship status, religion, age, disability, pregnancy or maternity status, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran or protected veteran, or any other similarly protected status in accordance with federal, state and local laws.