Principal Product Manager- Aerospace & Defense

IFS•Itasca, IL

8d•$150,000 - $180,000•Remote

About The Position

We are seeking an experienced Product Manager to join our team as we develop cutting-edge AI-based Aerospace & Defense software solutions. In this role, you will be responsible for the identification of investment cases, working closely with cross-functional teams and stakeholders to lead investment planning and evangelizing the product vision. As a Product Manager, you will drive product strategy and roadmap planning, considering market trends, competitor analysis, and customer feedback. You will collaborate with engineering teams to prioritize features and help provide clarity on investment themes. Additionally, you will be responsible for defining and monitoring key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure product success and make data-driven decisions. The preferred candidate will have a strong background in the A&D industry, with experience in defense manufacturing and supply chain, having worked with a defense vendor/OEM. The candidate will also have experience with the use of software in the A&D industry, understanding government technology acquisition processes, and the regulations and compliance around it. Exceptional communication and leadership skills are crucial for this role, as you will be responsible for leading cross-functional teams and presenting product updates to stakeholders. As a Product Manager in Aerospace and Defense, you will report into the VP of Product Management, A&D and you are responsible for:

Requirements

Degree in Software Engineering, or a related STEM field; MBA is a plus
10+ years relevant experience with increasing responsibilities – A&D industry experience necessary, working with a defense manufacturer/contractor
Proven experience in bringing defense products from concept to deployment
Experience working with Department of Defense (DoD), military contractors, or other government agencies.
Comprehensive understanding of defense acquisition processes and regulatory requirements, including FAR, DFARS, ITAR, MIL-STD and FedRamp etc. A good understanding of government reporting requirements is also required.
Deep experience in managing through influence and driving results through cross functional teams
Excellent communication and presentation skills, with experience interfacing with customers and senior leadership.
US Citizenship required

Responsibilities

Developing and executing product strategies and roadmaps for defense-related products, aligning with company objectives and market opportunities.
Conducting comprehensive market and competitive analyses specific to the defense industry, identifying trends, customer needs, and building business cases for potential opportunities.
Engaging with defense customers, stakeholders, and end-users to gather requirements, solicit feedback, and ensure products meet or exceed their expectations.
Leveraging knowledge of existing defense standards, specifications, and prior solicitations to inform and drive product requirements.
Collaborating with engineering and design teams to prioritize features and help guide product development.
Defining and monitoring key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure product success.
Working closely with cross-functional teams and stakeholders to drive transparency and enablement of product updates and roadmap plans.
Helping develop and implement go-to-market strategies for defense products, including pricing and positioning.