Principal Product Manager

Summary

Join Istari Digital, a digital engineering software company, as a Principal Product Manager to lead the development of high-impact software products for aerospace and defense customers. You will define and deliver user-centric solutions, shaping product vision, validating hypotheses, and driving cross-functional teams. This role requires a seasoned product leader with experience in shaping product vision, validating hypotheses through customer insight, and driving cross-functional teams in high-stakes, secure environments. You will collaborate with UX, design, and engineering teams, conduct user research, and manage product priorities. The position offers leadership and mentorship opportunities, guiding teams through ambiguity and fostering a culture of iterative learning. Istari is a remote-first company with regular in-person gatherings for collaboration and team building.

Requirements

• 10+ years of experience in product management, software engineering, or a combination thereof, with increasing levels of responsibility and impact
• Proven ability to define and deliver products in technical domains—ideally including simulation tools, CAD/CAM software, or digital engineering workflows, or alternatively developer tooling
• Demonstrated success in conducting effective customer interviews and distilling insights into actionable product direction
• Deep experience collaborating with UX and design teams to develop highly usable technical tools
• Outstanding communication, stakeholder management, and presentation skills
• Hands-on experience in early-stage startup environments , with a demonstrated ability to thrive in ambiguity, wear multiple hats, and deliver with limited resources

Responsibilities

• Product Discovery & Strategy: Formulate and test product hypotheses through rigorous customer research, data analysis, and competitive intelligence. Translate market needs and customer challenges into clear product strategies and roadmaps. Advocate for customer-centric thinking across engineering, design, and go-to-market teams
• Customer Insight & Validation: Lead qualitative and quantitative user research initiatives, including interviews with technical end-users, engineers, and government stakeholders. Prioritize customer outcomes over feature requests, ensuring problem-solution fit before committing to development
• Collaboration & Execution: Work closely with UX, design, and engineering teams to deliver intuitive, elegant experiences in technically complex domains. Manage and communicate product priorities, ensuring alignment with overall business and mission objectives. Navigate technical trade-offs and constraints, particularly in secure or air-gapped computing environments
• Leadership & Mentorship: Guide cross-functional teams through ambiguity, fostering a culture of iterative learning and delivery. Mentor junior product managers and contribute to the evolution of product practices across the organization

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience building software for aerospace engineering or Department of Defense (DoD) customers
• Comfort working in cleared or secure environments and understanding of related compliance requirements (e.g., ITAR, FedRAMP, CMMC)
• Exposure to modeling and simulation (M&S), PLM systems, or other digital engineering platforms
• Background in a STEM discipline or direct experience as a software engineer

Benefits

• Medical/Dental/Vision
• Employee Premiums are 100% Company Paid
• Life Insurance
• Flexible Work Hours
• Unlimited Paid Time Off (PTO) with federal government holidays
• Competitive Compensation
• 401k
• Company Stock Options
• Home Office Setup Budget
• Reimbursement for approved trainings and subscriptions
• Conferences (travel, lodging, and fees)