Principal Product Manager- Aerospace & Defense

Ifs
Itasca, IL

Company Description

IFS is a billion-dollar revenue company with 7000+ employees on all continents. Our leading AI technology is the backbone of our award-winning enterprise software solutions, enabling our customers to be their best when it really matters–at the Moment of Service™. Our commitment to internal AI adoption has allowed us to stay at the forefront of technological advancements, ensuring our colleagues can unlock their creativity and productivity, and our solutions are always cutting-edge.

At IFS, we’re flexible, we’re innovative, and we’re focused not only on how we can engage with our customers but on how we can make a real change and have a worldwide impact. We help solve some of society’s greatest challenges, fostering a better future through our agility, collaboration, and trust.

We celebrate diversity and understand our responsibility to reflect the diverse world we work in. We are committed to promoting an inclusive workforce that fully represents the many different cultures, backgrounds, and viewpoints of our customers, our partners, and our communities. As a truly international company serving people from around the globe, we realize that our success is tantamount to the respect we have for those different points of view.

By joining our team, you will have the opportunity to be part of a global, diverse environment; you will be joining a winning team with a commitment to sustainability; and a company where we get things done so that you can make a positive impact on the world.

We’re looking for innovative and original thinkers to work in an environment where you can #MakeYourMoment so that we can help others make theirs. With the power of our AI-driven solutions, we empower our team to change the status quo and make a real difference.

If you want to change the status quo, we’ll help you make your moment. Join Team Purple. Join IFS.

Job Description

We are seeking an experienced Product Manager to join our team as we develop cutting-edge AI-based Aerospace & Defense software solutions. In this role, you will be responsible for the identification of investment cases, working closely with cross-functional teams and stakeholders to lead investment planning and evangelizing the product vision.

As a Product Manager, you will drive product strategy and roadmap planning, considering market trends, competitor analysis, and customer feedback. You will collaborate with engineering teams to prioritize features and help provide clarity on investment themes. Additionally, you will be responsible for defining and monitoring key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure product success and make data-driven decisions.

The preferred candidate will have a strong background in the A&D industry, with experience in defense manufacturing and supply chain, having worked with a defense vendor/OEM. The candidate will also have experience with the use of software in the A&D industry, understanding government technology acquisition processes, and the regulations and compliance around it. Exceptional communication and leadership skills are crucial for this role, as you will be responsible for leading cross-functional teams and presenting product updates to stakeholders.

As a Product Manager in Aerospace and Defense, you will report into the VP of Product Management, A&D and you are responsible for:

  • Developing and executing product strategies and roadmaps for defense-related products, aligning with company objectives and market opportunities.
  • Conducting comprehensive market and competitive analyses specific to the defense industry, identifying trends, customer needs, and building business cases for potential opportunities.
  • Engaging with defense customers, stakeholders, and end-users to gather requirements, solicit feedback, and ensure products meet or exceed their expectations.
  • Leveraging knowledge of existing defense standards, specifications, and prior solicitations to inform and drive product requirements.
  • Collaborating with engineering and design teams to prioritize features and help guide product development.
  • Defining and monitoring key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure product success.
  • Working closely with cross-functional teams and stakeholders to drive transparency and enablement of product updates and roadmap plans.
  • Helping develop and implement go-to-market strategies for defense products, including pricing and positioning.

Qualifications

  • Degree in Software Engineering, or a related STEM field; MBA is a plus
  • 10+ years relevant experience with increasing responsibilities – A&D industry experience necessary, working with a defense manufacturer/contractor
  • Proven experience in bringing defense products from concept to deployment
  • Experience working with Department of Defense (DoD), military contractors, or other government agencies.
  • Comprehensive understanding of defense acquisition processes and regulatory requirements, including FAR, DFARS, ITAR, MIL-STD and FedRamp etc. A good understanding of government reporting requirements is also required.
  • Deep experience in managing through influence and driving results through cross functional teams
  • Excellent communication and presentation skills, with experience interfacing with customers and senior leadership.
  • US Citizenship required
  • This role is able to be located 100% remote within the US with 15-20% travel

What We’re Offering

  • Salary Range: $150,000-$180,000 plus 15% bonus potential
  • Flexible paid time off, including sick and holiday
  • Medical, dental, & vision insurance
  • 401K with Company contribution
  • Flexible spending accounts
  • Life insurance and disability benefits
  • Tuition assistance
  • Community involvement and volunteering events

Additional Information

We embrace flexibility and hybrid work opportunities to support diverse needs and lifestyles, while also valuing inclusive workplace experiences. By fostering a sense of community, we drive innovation, strengthen connections, and nurture belonging. Our commitment ensures you can work in a way that suits you best, while also engaging with colleagues to share ideas and build meaningful relationships.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. VEVRAA Federal Contractor, Equal Opportunity Employer

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. VEVRAA Federal Contractor, Equal Opportunity Employer

Posted 2025-09-14

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