IT Platform Area Manager (Senior Career)

About the Role:   The Platform Area Manager’s role is to plan, organize, and manage Server, Storage, Backup and Cloud IaaS/PaaS infrastructure services, hardware, support staff (15), and overall platform operations to ensure the stable operation of the organization’s IT infrastructure. This includes developing, maintaining, supporting, and optimizing server, storage and backup infrastructure. The Platform Area Manager will also participate, with other infrastructure and application managers, in scheduling and directing activities to resolve hardware and software problems in a timely and accurate fashion.   Company Information:    General Dynamics is a successful Fortune 100, global aerospace and defense company, with over 90,000 employees world-wide. General Dynamics Land Systems, a business unit of General Dynamics, has a strong foundation of delivering core engineering and manufacturing capabilities to our clients for military vehicles. Our team is focused on continuous process and productivity improvements that reduce product costs, while increasing troop safety and effectiveness.  Land Systems continues to work with the US Armed Forces and its Allies to ensure these vehicles remain survivable, relevant, flexible, affordable and capable of addressing a dynamic threat environment.   What We Offer:   Starting your career or you are an experience professional, 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 (6%)
• Educational Assistance
• 9-80 Work Schedule (This position’s 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 within a diverse, inclusive and rewarding work environment
• Onsite cafeteria, fitness center, and outdoor fitness track

Position Responsibilities:   Strategy & Planning  

• Design and implement short- and long-term strategic plans to advance platform services and ensure capacity meets existing and future requirements.
• Develop, implement, and maintain global policies, procedures, and associated training plans for infrastructure administration and project management.
• Participate in the development of IT strategies in collaboration with global colleagues and the leadership team.
• Conduct research and make global recommendations on products, services, protocols, and standards in support of all infrastructure procurement and development efforts.
• Establish service level agreements with business units. 

Acquisition & Deployment

• Prepare RFPs, bid proposals, contracts, scope of work reports, cost analysis, and other documentation for infrastructure projects, and associated efforts.
• Negotiate with vendors, outsourcers, and contractors to secure infrastructure-specific products and services.
• Assist with the planning and deployment of infrastructure security measures.

Operational Management

• Manage and set priorities for the design, maintenance, security, development, and evaluation of all server, storage and backup technologies
• Manage and set priorities for the server, storage and backup administrators
• Conduct feasibility studies for various upgrade projects, improvements, and other conversions.
• Define hardware and software standards in conjunction with owners and stakeholders.
• Test server, storage and backup performance and provide performance statistics and reports; develop strategies for maintaining server, storage and backup infrastructure.
• Manage operational costs; conduct near- and long-term financial forecasts for expanded functionality/user base.
• Establish and maintain regular written and in-person communications with leadership, decision-makers, stakeholders, department heads, and end users regarding pertinent infrastructure activities.
• Practice IT asset management, including maintenance of component inventory and related documentation.
• Direct and administrate a contingent of server, storage and backup administrators, and where necessary, conduct performance reviews and corrective action.

  Position Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in IT related field.  Work experience may also be considered
• 10 years’ experience managing and delivering infrastructure design and operational excellence.
• Certification in OS, Programming, Network, Security, ITIL, PMP would be a bonus
• Exceptional knowledge of service and application delivery, as well as successful service level agreement accomplishments.
• 2 years successful leadership of an infrastructure team.
• Hands-on experience in troubleshooting hardware.
• Knowledge of current protocols and standards, including TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP.
• Conversant with programming languages such as Pearl, Java, Shell, Ansible.
• Application support experience with ERP, PLM, DevSecOps environments.
• Experience in interpreting the applicability of local and federal laws/regulations to company operations.
• Ability to make sound and logical judgments.
• Demonstrated leadership and personnel/project management skills.
• Good understanding of the organization’s goals and objectives.
• Strong interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills.
• Ability to perform general mathematical calculations for the purpose of creating needs assessments, budgets, and so on.
• Able to conduct research into issues and products as required.
• Ability to prioritize and execute tasks in a high-pressure environment and make sound decisions in emergency situations.
• Ability to present ideas in a user-friendly language.
• Highly self-motivated and directed.
• Keen attention to detail.
• Proven analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Strong customer service orientation.
• Experience working in a team-oriented, collaborative environment.
• This position will require eligibility to obtain a US security clearance.  (Non-US Citizens may not be eligible) 

  Additional Information:

• 9/80 work schedule with operational on-call availability
• Full-time on-site at Sterling Heights Campus
• 5% travel required.
• Sitting for extended periods of time.
• Dexterity of hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard, mouse, power tools, and to handle other computer components.
• Occasional inspection of cables in floors, closets and ceilings.
• Lifting and transporting of moderately heavy objects, such as servers and peripherals.

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