Product Development Program Manager

About the role

Within the Installed Base America (IB-A) division, you will serve as the architect of our product commercialization engine. You will bridge the gap between technical engineering and market strategy, ensuring that our R&D investments are focused solely on commercially viable, scalable solutions.

Responsibilities

• Own the NPI Framework: Manage and refine the division’s Product Development lifecycle standards, serving as the process owner for how ideas move from concept to commercial launch.

• Facilitate Gate Decisions: Chair critical stage-gate reviews, ensuring active, data-driven decision-making (Go/No-Go) rather than passive status updates. You will ensure decisions are made by the right people at the right time.

• Enforce Commercial Readiness: Act as the primary auditor for the commercial viability of the portfolio. You will challenge project teams to provide objective evidence of Voice of Customer (VOC) and financial justification before releasing funding.

• Align Technical & Business Goals: Ensure that technical progress does not outpace the business case. You will monitor projects to ensure that engineering maturity is matched by validated market insights.

• Apply Scalable Governance: Assess incoming projects based on investment size and risk profile to determine the appropriate level of oversight, ensuring that bureaucracy does not suffocate speed-to-market for smaller innovations.

• Lead Cross-Functionally: Coordinate a matrixed network of business line representatives and technical coordinators, exercising influence without authority to drive alignment on portfolio priorities.

• Coach Project Teams: Train and mentor technical Project Managers on best practices for business case development, risk management, and defining Minimum Viable Products (MVPs).

• Drive Portfolio Health: Establish and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) such as Time-to-Market, portfolio balance (Innovation vs. Optimization), and commercial success rates.

• Manage Configuration & Risk: Oversee the integrity of the project pipeline, ensuring that risk registers are actively managed and that product configurations are controlled as they move toward industrialization.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in a technical or business field. Equivalent work experience may be considered in lieu of degree.
• Minimum of 10 years of related experience.
• Knowledge in product lifecycle management from concept through commercialization and sustainment.
• Knowledge of business case development including ROI analysis, market sizing, and financial modeling, risk management frameworks and portfolio prioritization methods.
• Ability to translate complex technical concepts into business terms and vice versa.
• Ability to analyze data and metrics.
• Excellent communication skills to work effectively with all levels of staff and management, vendors and customers.
• Demonstrated leadership ability to manage multiple tasks and projects through subordinates.

Qualifications

• Preferred Skills
• Product Governance: Deep understanding of Stage-Gate methodologies and New Product Introduction (NPI) frameworks, specifically the synchronization of technical development with commercial maturity.
• Commercial Acumen: Ability to critique business cases, analyze Return on Investment (ROI), and challenge assumptions regarding market demand, pricing strategy, and "willingness to pay."
• Risk Management: Experience applying scalable governance models – knowing how to apply rigorous oversight to strategic, high-risk projects while streamlining process for smaller, low-risk initiatives.
• Regulated Context: Experience working in the Nuclear Industry or other highly regulated environments where safety, quality, and compliance are non-negotiable constraints.
• Change Management: Proven ability to lead cultural change, moving technical teams from a mindset of pure technical feasibility ("Can we build it?") to commercial viability ("Should we build it?").

Skills

• Product Governance: Deep understanding of Stage-Gate methodologies and New Product Introduction (NPI) frameworks, specifically the synchronization of technical development with commercial maturity.
• Commercial Acumen: Ability to critique business cases, analyze Return on Investment (ROI), and challenge assumptions regarding market demand, pricing strategy, and "willingness to pay."
• Risk Management: Experience applying scalable governance models – knowing how to apply rigorous oversight to strategic, high-risk projects while streamlining process for smaller, low-risk initiatives.
• Regulated Context: Experience working in the Nuclear Industry or other highly regulated environments where safety, quality, and compliance are non-negotiable constraints.
• Change Management: Proven ability to lead cultural change, moving technical teams from a mindset of pure technical feasibility ("Can we build it?") to commercial viability ("Should we build it?").

Benefits

• Total Rewards Package
• Salary: $115,000-$156,000 and may also include annual incentives and performance bonuses.
• Health & Wellness: Multiple medical plan options, dental & vision coverage, life insurance, long- and short-term disability, and optional supplemental plans (critical illness, accident, hospital indemnity, dependent life).
• Retirement: 401(k) with employer match.
• Paid Time Off: Up to 3 weeks of vacation, 8 sick days, and 13 paid holidays annually.
• Extra Perks: Lifestyle spending account, employer paid mental health support, education reimbursement, professional development opportunities, adoption assistance, parental leave, and employee assistance programs.

Pay

Salary: $115,000-$156,000 and may also include annual incentives and performance bonuses.

Schedule

N/A