Senior/Staff Product Manager (U. S. Air Force)

Skylight

2h•$150,000 - $203,000•Remote

About The Position

At Skylight, product managers are responsible for strategy, planning, execution, stakeholder management, and team health. Product managers partner with researchers, designers, engineers, client stakeholders, and others to inform their product decisions. At a high level, it’s the product manager’s job to figure out what to build next and why. In this role, you’ll partner with a mission-critical organization within the U.S. Air Force Special Operations community to modernize complex user experience journeys that underpin highly specialized operations. Leveraging your strengths in human-centered design and digital modernization, you’ll help deliver secure, scalable solutions that measurably improve usability, operational efficiency, and mission readiness. You will be responsible for managing and scaling a portfolio of software applications for the Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) through our BESPIN partnership. Your primary focus will be on mobile application and team delivery.

Requirements

Solid understanding of lean product principles (like MVP) and how to apply them across the product life cycle to reduce risk, validate assumptions, and speed up learning
Experience with greenfield product development
Ability to craft a product strategy that’s rooted in a clear problem definition, focuses on outcomes (not just features), and includes success criteria
Proven skill in executing that strategy by breaking down scope into smaller, high-value chunks, maintaining a prioritized backlog of validated user stories, and guiding the team through iterative development
A strong technical background that lets you discuss operational needs, system reliability, and technical constraints — and then turn that knowledge into a user-focused roadmap
Understanding of human-centered design and how it can drive product direction
Comfort working across disciplines — researchers, designers, engineers, etc. — to get things done
Experience managing clients and stakeholders in a way that builds trust, alignment, and a healthy team environment
Knowledge of various software development methodologies (e.g., agile, lean) and how to put them into practice
Demonstrated ownership of end-to-end product delivery in complex technical systems
Experience leading cross-functional delivery teams
Experience delivering products in defense or similarly regulated environments
Ability to work successfully within a professional services environment (e.g., can communicate effectively with clients)
Passionate about creating better public outcomes through great government services
A mindset and work approach that align with Skylight’s core values
Ability to travel for work from time to time
All work must be conducted within the U.S., excluding U.S. territories.
U.S. citizenship to be eligible for employment.
May be required to obtain a public trust or security clearance, up to Top Secret.
May be required to complete a company background check successfully.
Some of our available roles are on federal contracts that require a degree or additional years of experience as a substitute.

Nice To Haves

Prior military service or direct support to tactical or special operations communities
Experience with AI/ML
Experience in management consulting or digital services firms
Prior work on secure or classified programs
Prior experience working in the civic tech space
Experience working in a remote-team environment

Responsibilities

Lead a cross-functional, cross-organizational team of researchers, designers, engineers, and subject matter experts to deliver high-impact products and services
Translate user and partner needs into a cohesive product strategy that outlines vision, objectives, success metrics, product roadmap, and backlog
Manage product direction and scope — from early user research through implementation
Write and prioritize user stories, then organize them into clear release plans
Facilitate team ceremonies like planning sessions, stakeholder syncs, and retrospectives
Leverage data and feedback to inform the product roadmap, making thoughtful decisions about priorities and trade-offs
Collaborate closely with government teams to share digital skills and product knowledge
Navigate bureaucratic complexities with creativity, helping simplify processes along the way
Coordinate with government partners to ensure seamless integration with their existing tools and processes

Benefits

Medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance
Short-term and long-term disability insurance
Life and AD&D insurance
Dependent care FSA, healthcare FSA, health savings account
Dollar-for-dollar 401(k) match up to 10% of your salary with no vesting period
Flexible paid-time-off policy (generally around 25 days per year), plus 11 paid federal holidays
Up to 12 weeks paid-time-off for all eligible new birth, adoption, or foster parents
Performance rewards, including annual salary increase, annual performance bonus, spot bonuses, and stock options
Business development / sales bonuses
Referral bonuses
Annual $2,000 allowance for professional development
Annual $750 allowance for tech-related purchases
Annual swag budget of $100 to display your Skylight pride with some merchandise (hoodies, hats, and more)
Dollar-for-dollar charity donation matching, up to $500 per year
Flexible, remote-friendly work environment
An environment that empowers you to unleash your superpowers for public good