Principal Product Manager, Industrial AI - Aerospace and Defense

IFS•Itasca, IL

20h•Hybrid

About The Position

IFS is seeking a Principal Product Manager with strong product management experience in enterprise or industrial software, and a background in the Aerospace & Defense domain. The ideal candidate will have exposure to aviation maintenance, airline or MRO operations, engine overhaul, asset management, or regulated safety-critical environments. This role requires the ability to quickly learn complex domains, collaborate with subject matter experts, and translate customer needs into an AI-enabled product strategy. The candidate will lead AI-enabled product initiatives such as predictive maintenance, digital twins, or AI-assisted maintenance workflows. Exceptional communication and leadership skills are essential for leading cross-functional teams, presenting to senior leadership and the board, and shaping the product vision for Industrial AI in Aerospace and Defense.

Requirements

A degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related STEM field; MBA is a plus.
10+ years of relevant product management or related leadership experience with increasing responsibility, preferably in enterprise, industrial, Aerospace & Defense, manufacturing, asset intensive, or regulated software environments.
Experience with aviation maintenance operations, asset intensive industries, or other regulated operational environments is preferred, with the ability to partner effectively with domain experts to shape AI enabled product initiatives from concept to deployment.
Familiarity with aviation, industrial, or other regulated operational processes is preferred, including an understanding of how AI/ML tools should be validated, governed, and responsibly deployed in safety critical or compliance sensitive environments.
Aerospace & Defense domain experience is preferred, not required. Candidates with strong AI product leadership, enterprise software experience, and a demonstrated ability to rapidly build domain understanding will be considered.
Experience collaborating with AI-augmented engineering and data science workflows, skilled in financial modelling, market sizing and business case creation, with experience managing portfolio and P&L accountability.
Deep experience in managing through influence, coaching other product managers, and driving results through cross-functional teams.
Excellent communication and presentation skills, with experience interfacing with customers, senior leadership, and the board.

Nice To Haves

Exposure to aviation maintenance, airline or MRO operations, engine overhaul, asset management, or regulated safety critical environments.
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.
Proven experience leading AI enabled product initiatives, such as predictive maintenance, digital twins, or AI assisted maintenance workflows.
MBA is a plus.

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.