Product Owner: Software

About the role

We are seeking an experienced Software System Engineer to lead the end-to-end delivery of software products, ensuring alignment between business objectives and technical execution. This role is responsible for translating business requirements into clear product specifications, managing the product roadmap and backlog, and guiding development teams to deliver secure, high-quality solutions.

The successful candidate will play a critical role in embedding secure-by-design principles across the product lifecycle, ensuring compliance with cybersecurity standards, and driving collaboration between stakeholders, engineering teams, and external partners. This is an opportunity to take ownership of innovative products from concept through to deployment and ongoing enhancement.

Qualifications and experience

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  Minimum BEng degree; Preferably a BEng Hons or equivalent qualification.

  
  


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  Minimum 10 years’ experience in software development, software engineering, or software development management.
  
  

  
  

Key technical skills

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  Strong ability to prioritise product backlogs and development milestones in line with organisational objectives.

  
  


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  Proven experience in Agile methodologies, including sprint planning, backlog grooming, and delivery tracking.

  
  


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  Ability to translate business and technical requirements into structured development tasks and user stories (e.g., Jira).

  
  


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  Solid understanding of software systems, architectures, and integration (RF domain knowledge advantageous).

  
  


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  Experience with DevSecOps practices and secure development principles, including RBAC.

  
  


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  Knowledge of cybersecurity frameworks and standards (e.g., NIST 800-171, NIST 800-218, ISO 27001).

  
  


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  Ability to coordinate testing activities and incorporate user feedback into product improvements.

  
  


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  Competence in developing and maintaining technical documentation (e.g., SDDs, test plans).

  
  


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  Strong stakeholder management and communication skills, including coordination of subcontractors.

  
  


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  Ability to track and monitor delivery progress against milestones and sprint objectives.

  
  


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  Proven ownership of products across the full lifecycle (concept to deployment and maintenance).
  
  

  
  

Key responsibilities

1. Product development governance and delivery

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  Ensure effective governance and delivery of software products across the full lifecycle.

  
  


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  Maintain comprehensive technical documentation (SDDs, test plans, user manuals, security artefacts).

  
  


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  Manage and prioritise the product backlog, ensuring clearly defined user stories and acceptance criteria.

  
  


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  Coordinate sprint planning, execution, and delivery in alignment with project timelines.

  
  


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  Monitor progress, conduct code review oversight, and ensure transparency across development teams.

  
  


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  Ensure solutions are designed for integration with broader system architectures.

  
  


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  Act as the primary interface between business stakeholders and development teams.

  
  

2. Financial oversight and resource management

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  Manage product development within approved budgets and allocated resources.

  
  


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  Monitor productivity against sprint plans and validate output through timesheet and progress tracking.

  
  


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  Ensure financial discipline, including overtime approvals and efficient resource utilisation.

  
  


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  Drive maximum product value delivery within budget constraints.

  
  

3. Product strategy, vision and roadmap management

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  Translate business needs into structured product requirements aligned with strategic objectives.

  
  


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  Develop, maintain, and prioritise the product roadmap and backlog.

  
  


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  Collaborate with portfolio and hardware teams to ensure integrated product delivery.

  
  


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  Facilitate stakeholder engagement to refine product direction and priorities.

  
  


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  Lead Agile ceremonies (sprint planning, reviews, retrospectives) to ensure continuous improvement and delivery excellence.

  
  

Our recruitment values:

HENSOLDT South Africa focuses on diversity, equity, and inclusion in our organizational strategy. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive corporate culture that benefits our employees and delivers better outcomes for our clients. In line with our commitment to equal employment opportunities and our focus on diversity in the operational environment, we welcome applications from all ethnic groups. In line with HENSOLDT's commitment to equal employment opportunities and our focus on diversity in the operational environment, preference will be given to suitable candidates from designated groups.

Application Deadline: 18 June 2026. 

How to Apply:

Please submit your CV by applying directly on the HENSOLDT Careers page.

If you have not been contacted within 14 days of the closing date, please consider your application