Principal Product Manager, Industrial AI- Aerospace and Defense

IFS•Itasca, IL

9d•Hybrid

About The Position

IFS is a global company with over 7000 employees, specializing in enterprise software solutions powered by leading AI technology. We enable our customers to excel at the Moment of Service™. Our internal adoption of AI keeps us at the forefront of innovation, boosting employee creativity and productivity. At IFS, we are flexible, innovative, and focused on making a real impact worldwide by solving significant societal challenges through agility, collaboration, and trust. We champion diversity and are committed to fostering an inclusive workforce that reflects the global community. Our success is built on respecting diverse viewpoints. Joining IFS means becoming part of a global, diverse team committed to sustainability, where you can make a positive impact. We seek original thinkers for an environment where you can #MakeYourMoment and help others do the same. Our AI-driven solutions empower our team to challenge the status quo and drive real change. If you aim to change the status quo, we'll help you make your moment. Join Team Purple. Join IFS. The preferred candidate will bring strong product management experience in enterprise or industrial software, with Aerospace & Defense domain experience considered a strong advantage. Exposure to aviation maintenance, airline or MRO operations, engine overhaul, asset management, or regulated safety critical environments would be beneficial. Candidates with the ability to quickly learn complex domains, work closely with subject matter experts, and translate customer needs into AI enabled product strategy will also be strongly considered. The candidate will also have proven experience leading AI enabled product initiatives, such as predictive maintenance, digital twins, or AI assisted maintenance workflows. Exceptional communication and leadership skills are crucial for this role, as you will be responsible for leading cross functional teams, presenting to senior leadership and the board, and helping shape the product vision for Industrial AI in Aerospace and Defense.

Requirements

Strong product management experience in enterprise or industrial software.
Aerospace & Defense domain experience.
Ability to quickly learn complex domains.
Ability to work closely with subject matter experts.
Ability to translate customer needs into AI enabled product strategy.
Proven experience leading AI enabled product initiatives, such as predictive maintenance, digital twins, or AI assisted maintenance workflows.
Exceptional communication and leadership skills.
Experience leading cross functional teams.
Experience presenting to senior leadership and the board.
Experience shaping the product vision for Industrial AI in Aerospace and Defense.

Nice To Haves

Exposure to aviation maintenance, airline or MRO operations, engine overhaul, asset management, or regulated safety critical environments.

Responsibilities

Defining the operating model and long-term product strategy for Industrial AI Initiatives across aircraft, engine, and component maintenance, aligning with company objectives and market opportunities.
Creating category-level opportunities and conducting comprehensive market and competitive analyses, including TAM/SAM/SOM sizing, for AI-enabled Aerospace & Defense maintenance solutions.
Engaging with airlines, MRO providers, OEMs, and defense operators to gather requirements, validate solutions with real customer evidence, and ensure products meet or exceed their expectations.
Applying domain insight, customer evidence, and subject matter expert input across Line and Base Maintenance, engine overhaul, records and compliance, and asset management processes to inform AI product requirements.
Owning AI governance for the domain — setting the quality bar, safety and compliance standards, and responsible-AI guardrails for AI features deployed in safety-critical maintenance contexts.
Partnering with engineering and data science teams on AI-native delivery, scoping AI features and AI-assisted workflows, and building institutional standards and PRD schemas used across the domain.
Building the investment case and financial models to defend and prioritize the AI product portfolio, holding explicit portfolio and P&L accountability.
Developing and implementing go-to-market strategies, pricing, and sales plays for Industrial AI products, and presenting roadmap and investment updates to senior leadership and the board.