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.

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

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  Design, specify, prototype, and launch new workflows and features into full production

  
  


• 
  

  Own initiatives from concept through release and ongoing iteration

  
  


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  Partner closely with engineering and data science teams to scope effort, timelines, and feasibility

  
  


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  Ensure delivery aligns with contractual commitments and business objectives

  
  

Go-To-Market & Commercial Support

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  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

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  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

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  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

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  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