Product Manager — Defense Technology SoftwareLocation: 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:
Product expansion with U.S. Navy customers
Integration of new capabilities into existing applications across the platform
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.
What You’ll Do
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
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
Preferred
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