R&D Product Strategy Analyst

R&D Product Strategy Analyst

Project Management Office / Corporate Services

This position is not eligible for recruiting or sourcing by outside parties.

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Mesa seeks a R&D Product Strategy Analyst that supports an R&D initiative focused on evaluating and defining potential software-based (software as a service, software as a product) product offerings. The position will analyze existing tools, workflows, and service delivery models (e.g., dashboards, simple and automated Excel-based tools, reporting tools, process frameworks) to determine how these capabilities can be translated into scalable, repeatable, and potentially licensed product solutions. This role is structured for a 2–5 years' experience in product development, consulting, business analysis, or strategy roles and will focus on research, feasibility, and strategic recommendations rather than development.

This role is part time.

Responsibilities

• Product & Service Analysis:
  • Review existing deliverables (Power BI dashboards, workflows, templates, project controls tools)
  • Identify repeatable patterns and opportunities for standardization or productization
  • Document current-state vs potential future-state solutions
• Market & Competitive Research:
  • Identify industries and clients utilizing similar tools (utilities, engineering consulting, etc.)
  • Analyze competitors offering SaaS/SaaP or workflow-based solutions
  • Evaluate market demand and potential adoption barriers
• Feasibility & Strategy Development:
  • Work with internal SMEs (data/dev/BI resources) to validate technical feasibility
  • Evaluate whether solutions should remain within MS365 ecosystem or move toward standalone platform
  • Develop high-level cost, effort, and scalability estimates
• Deliverables & Reporting:
  • Produce structured reports, dashboards, and presentations summarizing findings
  • Present recommendations to leadership on product viability
  • Support development of go/no-go decision materials

Competencies

• Ability to identify, analyze, and solve difficult problems related to the specialty area
• Strong analytical and structured problem-solving skills
• Ability to operate in ambiguous and evolving environments
• Strong communication and executive-level presentation skills
• Ability to connect business needs with technical concepts
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to synthesize technical data into executive-level summaries

Education and Experience

• 2-5 years of experience in product development, consulting, business analysis, or strategy roles
• Curiosity and a genuine interest in understanding how systems and ideas work
• Investigative mindset with a natural inclination to question assumptions and explore alternatives
• Experience working in startups, small teams, or early-stage product environments
• Exposure to prototyping, proof of concept development, or R&D style work
• Familiarity with Agile or iterative development approaches
• Past working experience with Project Management principles, such as PMBOK. PMP certification desirable but not required.

Accountability

• Completion of defined R&D deliverables across all phases (marketability, feasibility, cost)
• Accuracy and quality of research outputs
• Ability to translate ambiguous requirements into structured insights
• Supporting leadership decision-making with data-driven recommendations

Authority

• Recommend product concepts and strategic direction
• Propose improvements to research scope and structure
• Engage internal SMEs to gather required inputs

Notice to External Search Firms: Mesa Associates, Inc. and its subsidiaries do not accept unsolicited resumes and will not be obligated to pay a placement fee for unsolicited resumes. Mesa Associates, Inc. Talent Acquisition engages with approved search firms directly for specific hiring needs.

Qualifications

Required Skills

New Product Development: Novice

Preferred Skills

Software Engineering: Novice

Artificial Intelligence: Novice

Computer Software Engineer: Novice

Behaviors

Required

Innovative: Consistently introduces new ideas and demonstrates original thinking

Preferred

Functional Expert: Considered a thought leader on a subject

Thought Provoking: Capable of making others think deeply on a subject

Motivations

Required

Self-Starter: Inspired to perform without outside help

Entrepreneurial Spirit: Inspired to perform well by an ability to drive new ventures within the business

Preferred

Flexibility: Inspired to perform well when granted the ability to set your own schedule and goals

Experience

Required

Exposure to prototyping, proof of concept development, or R&D style work Experience working in startups, small teams, or early-stage product environments

2-5 years: Experience in product development, consulting, business analysis, or strategy roles

Licenses & Certifications

Preferred: Project Mgmt Prof (PMP)

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.