Principal Product Manager - AI/ML
This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, who manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for a Principal Product Manager - AI/ML based in the United States.
This role will lead the strategy and development of AI/ML capabilities within an enterprise platform designed to support critical operational and defense-related decisions.
You will own the AI/ML product roadmap, identifying high-impact opportunities where intelligent technologies can automate workflows, improve decisions, and deliver predictive insights.
Working closely with data scientists, ML engineers, product managers, designers, and customer-facing teams, you will turn complex technical capabilities into practical, scalable products.
You will combine strong product judgment with a working understanding of AI/ML methodologies to prioritize initiatives that deliver measurable customer value.
The position also involves shaping AI/ML market positioning, evaluating competitive opportunities, and helping differentiate intelligent capabilities in a rapidly evolving space.
You will engage directly with users to understand operational challenges and bridge the gap between emerging AI research and real-world applications.
This is an individual contributor opportunity for a customer-focused product leader who thrives in ambiguity and wants to build solutions with meaningful impact on global security.
Accountabilities:
- Define and communicate the AI/ML product strategy and roadmap in alignment with customer needs, organizational objectives, and market opportunities.
- Identify and prioritize high-impact use cases where AI/ML can automate manual processes, improve decision-making, or provide predictive insights.
- Spend time with users and customers to understand their pain points and identify recurring opportunities for intelligent solutions.
- Translate customer needs and technical capabilities into clear product requirements, PRDs, user stories, and feature specifications.
- Validate AI/ML concepts using frameworks such as the value proposition canvas and business model canvas, building comprehensive business cases for prioritization.
- Conduct market research and competitive analysis to inform product positioning and identify opportunities for differentiation.
- Partner with data science, AI/ML, and software engineering teams to evaluate technical feasibility, investment requirements, timelines, and delivery risks.
- Collaborate with designers and application-focused product managers to integrate AI/ML capabilities naturally into existing workflows and user experiences.
- Define success metrics and evaluate the performance and customer impact of AI/ML initiatives.
- Facilitate the market introduction of new AI/ML capabilities while balancing risk, cost, customer value, and speed.
- Work with sales and customer-facing teams to communicate the value proposition of AI/ML features and understand market demand.
- Ensure successful integration of prototypes and new capabilities into the broader platform for use across customer accounts.
- Bridge emerging AI/ML research and practical applications in defense acquisition and operational environments.
- U.S. citizenship is required.
- 5+ years of product management experience, including at least 3 years focused on AI/ML products or data-driven solutions.
- Experience with the ML development lifecycle, including data preparation, model training, validation, deployment, and monitoring.
- Proven track record of successfully launching AI/ML products or features into production environments.
- Strong customer and value orientation, with the ability to understand what matters most to users and translate those needs into product priorities.
- Strong understanding of AI/ML methodologies and emerging technologies sufficient to assess opportunities, tradeoffs, and technical feasibility.
- Demonstrated ownership mentality, self-motivation, and ability to operate independently.
- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic, and often ambiguous environment.
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills across technical, commercial, and executive audiences.
- Bachelor’s degree in business, technology, or a related field.
- Experience in a startup or entrepreneurial environment is desirable.
- Experience working in or around the Department of War (DoW) is desirable.
- Experience managing the full product lifecycle, from early-stage concepts through production and maintenance, is a plus.
- Familiarity with value proposition canvas and/or business model canvas frameworks is advantageous.
- Current U.S. security clearance, or the ability to obtain one with sponsorship, is preferred.
- Advanced degree in a business or technical discipline is a plus.
- Willingness to travel up to approximately 40% of the time.
- Full-time position with the option to work remotely or from offices in Arlington, VA; Pittsburgh, PA; or San Francisco, CA.
- Opportunity to lead the development of AI/ML capabilities for complex, mission-critical applications.
- Significant collaboration with data science, ML engineering, software engineering, product, design, sales, and customer engagement teams.
- Opportunity to work directly with users and customers to shape high-impact AI/ML solutions.
- Exposure to defense technology, AI innovation, and strategic product development.
- Potential opportunity to obtain or maintain a U.S. security clearance with sponsorship.
- Up to approximately 40% travel as required by the role.
As the AI/ML product leader, you will own the full product strategy for intelligent capabilities, from identifying customer problems and validating opportunities through prioritization, development, launch, and ongoing improvement. You will work across technical and commercial teams to ensure AI/ML solutions are valuable, feasible, scalable, and integrated seamlessly into customer workflows.
Requirements:
The ideal candidate brings substantial product management experience, hands-on exposure to AI/ML product development, and strong business judgment. You should be comfortable operating in technically complex and ambiguous environments while communicating effectively with both technical experts and non-technical stakeholders.
Benefits: