Product Manager - Defense Tech Software

Product Manager - Defense Technology Software

Location: Arlington, VA (In-Person)
Travel: Up to 40%
Compensation: $200,000+ Total Compensation
About the Role

Our defense technology software client is seeking a growth-oriented Product Manager to lead high-impact initiatives across three core areas:

1. Product expansion with U.S. Navy customers
2. Integration of new capabilities into existing applications across the platform
3. Support of commercial teams by shipping best-in-class platforms to users

This is an individual contributor role focused on true 0-to-1 product development . You will act as the product owner, accountable for identifying critical customer problems and delivering differentiated, scalable solutions end-to-end .

Product Managers in this organization operate as the "tip of the spear"-working directly with customers, implementation teams, and sales to deeply understand user needs and translate them into production-ready workflows and capabilities. Success in this role is measured by market adoption and customer impact .
Responsibilities
Customer Discovery & Product Strategy

• Embed with customers to uncover pain points and identify opportunities for new product workflows
• Translate customer needs into clear product requirements and value propositions
• Evaluate product investments required to support successful sales and customer outcomes
• Communicate platform capabilities and configuration options to prospective customers

Product Development & Delivery

• Design, specify, prototype, and launch new workflows and features into full production
• Own initiatives from concept through release and ongoing iteration
• Partner closely with engineering and data science teams to scope effort, timelines, and feasibility
• Ensure delivery aligns with contractual commitments and business objectives

Go-To-Market & Commercial Support

• Partner with sales to assess opportunities and align customer requirements with product roadmap
• Assist with scoping, pricing, and contract capture efforts
• Facilitate market introduction of new capabilities while balancing risk, cost, and speed
• Ensure smooth integration of prototyped features across customer accounts

Typical Weekly Activities

• Spend significant time on-site with users to observe workflows and gather feedback
• Collaborate with sales to evaluate deal-specific product needs
• Define business cases for new product investments
• Draft compelling narratives describing customer problems and proposed solutions
• Engage directly with prospective customers to explain platform value and flexibility

Scope of Responsibilities

• Identify and evaluate new product features through direct customer engagement
• Define addressable market size, competitive landscape, and near-term revenue opportunities
• Validate concepts using Value Proposition Canvas and Business Model Canvas frameworks
• Build and defend prioritization decisions with internal stakeholders
• Coordinate cross-functional execution to deliver scalable, production-ready solutions

Requirements
Must-Haves

• U.S. Citizenship
• Bachelor's degree in a business or technology-related field
• 5+ years of experience in a product or software role
• Experience with enterprise software (B2B or B2G)
• Strong customer value orientation and ownership mindset
• Ability to operate effectively in fast-paced, ambiguous environments
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills across all levels of the organization

Nice-to-Haves

• Active U.S. security clearance, or ability to obtain one with sponsorship
• Experience working in or around the Department of Defense
• Startup or entrepreneurial environment experience
• Full product lifecycle ownership (idea through production and maintenance)
• Familiarity with Value Proposition Canvas and/or Business Model Canvas frameworks
• Advanced degree in a business or technical field