Software Product Owner

AMERICAN SYSTEMS•Arlington, VA

About The Position

AMERICAN SYSTEMS is an employee-owned federal government contractor supporting national priority programs through strategic solutions in Information Technology, Test & Evaluation, Program Mission Support, Engineering & Analysis, and Training. The company is seeking an experienced Product Owner to lead the development of multiple software products for a critical defense program. This role requires a strategic thinker capable of balancing stakeholder needs with program goals, driving the vision and execution of product roadmaps. The Product Owner will serve as the crucial link between the Government Software Lead, diverse stakeholders, and the development teams to ensure software products meet mission requirements and are delivered effectively. As the single point of authority for the product vision, roadmap, and backlog, this individual will manage a portfolio of closely-aligned software products, directly supporting the Government Software Lead. Responsibilities include synthesizing requirements from a wide array of internal stakeholders (e.g., government leads, end users, cybersecurity, logistics) and external contractors, prioritizing work, and ensuring product development aligns with overall program objectives and timelines.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related field and 5-7 years of related work experience.
3+ years of experience in product management or product ownership, with a proven track record in a software development environment.
Deep understanding of Agile methodologies (Scrum, Kanban) and associated tools (e.g., GitLab, Jira, Confluence).
Excellent communication and negotiation skills, with a demonstrated ability to align diverse stakeholders toward a common goal.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to make data-driven decisions and manage complex requirements.
Active Top Secret clearance with ability to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI with SAP eligibility.
U.S. Citizenship Required for the purposes of obtaining/holding a U.S. security clearance.

Responsibilities

Lead the product lifecycle for a portfolio of related software products, from initial concept to deployment and sustainment.
Serve as the primary liaison between the Government Software Lead, stakeholders, and multiple external defense contractors, translating high-level program objectives into actionable and prioritized product backlogs and roadmaps.
Drive product development by clearly defining and articulating Epics and acceptance criteria for the development teams.
Ensure that all products adhere to rigorous program standards, security protocols, and operational requirements.
Monitor and report on product development progress, key metrics, and risks to program leadership, while simultaneously iterating on processes to improve delivery speed and product quality.