Director of Product: Stratospheric Defense Systems

The role

You will lead the end-to-end product strategy, development, and lifecycle management of stratospheric balloon systems, payloads, software and data products. You will work as a team of one to align customer needs with technical capabilities and collaborate with engineering, operations, and business teams.

What you will do

• Develop and execute a comprehensive product strategy and roadmap for balloon systems, payloads, software and data products.
• Interact routinely with end-users including the U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force, and NASA.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to translate customer requirements into product solutions.
• Oversee product lifecycle management from ideation to iteration.
• Develop detailed resource and project management plans.
• Work with the finance department to develop financial models for resourcing projects.
• Act as a key point of contact for strategic customer relationships with government partners.
• Lead relationships and dialogue with third-party DoD payload providers for integration onto the Microballoon platform.

Required qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, aerospace, business, or a related field
• Direct experience working with and developing Department of Defense (DoD) products
• Thorough understanding of DoD requirements regarding networking, cybersecurity, and regulations
• 7+ years of product management experience
• At least 3 years in a leadership role
• Proven track record of developing and launching complex technical products
• Strong understanding of hardware and software integration
• Exceptional communication and leadership skills
• Must be US Citizen or Permanent Resident
• Must be located near Denver, CO

Nice to have

• Advanced degree (MBA or technical MS)
• Direct experience working with the U.S. Army Special Operations Forces (SOF)
• Background in stratospheric or high-altitude systems, remote sensing, or earth observation technologies
• Knowledge of government contracting, compliance standards, or regulatory frameworks relevant to aerospace and defense industries
• Established network within the aerospace or government sectors

Benefits

• Equity Compensation in the form of Company Stock Options
• Medical, Vision and Dental
• Unlimited Vacation Days
• Cell Phone Bill Stipend

Before you apply

• Must be US Citizen or Permanent Resident
• Employment may be contingent upon successfully obtaining export authorization from the relevant government agency

About the company

Urban Sky is a venture-backed aerospace startup that designs, builds, operates, and sells stratospheric balloon systems. The company's technology supports applications ranging from wildfire monitoring to urban mapping for customers including the DoD and NASA.