Product Owner - AI, Aviation

Cognizant; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 180,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

A global technology company in Abu Dhabi is seeking an experienced Product Owner to lead the Airways AI Squad. Responsibilities include owning the product vision and roadmap, managing AI initiatives, and collaborating with cross-functional teams. Ideal candidates have over 7 years of product ownership experience, particularly in AI/ML projects, and possess strong stakeholder management skills. This role emphasizes innovation within a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience as a Product Owner or Product Manager.
• Proven experience working on AI/ML initiatives.
• Strong understanding of agile methodologies.

Responsibilities

• Own the vision, roadmap, and backlog for AI Squad.
• Translate business needs into clear product requirements.
• Drive end-to-end product lifecycle management.

Skills

Product ownership

Agile methodologies

Stakeholder management

AI/ML initiatives

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business, Computer Science, Engineering

Master’s degree

Tools

Cloud platforms

Data pipelines

MLOps practices

Job description

The Company

Cognizant (NASDAQ:CTSH) is a leading provider of information technology, consulting, and business process outsourcing services, dedicated to helping the world's leading companies build stronger businesses. Headquartered in Teaneck, New Jersey (U.S.), Cognizant has over 340,000 employees as of January 2025. Cognizant is a member of the NASDAQ-100, the S&P 500, the Forbes Global 1000, and the Fortune 500 and is ranked among the top performing and fastest growing companies in the world.

Cognizant Consulting

At Cognizant, our consultants orchestrate the capabilities to truly change the game across strategy, design, technology and industry/functional knowledge to deliver insight at speed and solutions at scale. Our consulting services elevate the unique abilities and business aspirations of customers and employees and build relationships based on trust and value.

Job Description

We are seeking a dynamic and business-minded Product Owner to lead Airways AI Squad, responsible for developing and scaling in-house AI use cases across the organization. The role will bridge business priorities and technical delivery, ensuring AI initiatives deliver measurable value to customers, employees, and the business. The ideal candidate has strong experience in product ownership or product management (7+ years), with exposure to AI/ML projects, and thrives in a fast-paced, cross-functional environment.

Roles & Responsibilities

• Own the vision, roadmap, and backlog for AI Squad, prioritizing initiatives that deliver high business impact.

• Translate business needs into clear product requirements, user stories, and acceptance criteria.

• Work closely with data scientists, engineers, and designers to deliver high-quality AI products and features.

• Engage with stakeholders across commercial, operations, customer experience, and IT to identify and validate AI use cases.

• Drive end-to-end product lifecycle management – from ideation and prototyping to deployment and scaling.

• Ensure AI solutions align with client strategic objectives in areas such as passenger experience, operational efficiency, and sustainability.

• Act as the “voice of the business” in agile ceremonies, making prioritization decisions and removing blockers.

• Establish KPIs and success measures to track product performance and value delivery.

• Promote responsible AI adoption by ensuring ethical, transparent, and compliant practices.

• Stay informed on emerging AI trends and contribute to shaping Client AI product strategy.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, Computer Science, Engineering, or related discipline (Master’s preferred).

• 7+ years of experience as a Product Owner, Product Manager, or similar role in technology or digital product development.

• Proven experience working on AI/ML initiatives, ideally in enterprise or customer-facing settings.

• Strong understanding of agile methodologies and experience managing product backlogs.

• Excellent communication, facilitation, and stakeholder management skills.

• Ability to balance strategic thinking with hands-on delivery.

• Familiarity with cloud platforms, data pipelines, and MLOps practices is a plus.

• Background in aviation, travel, or related industries is advantageous.

• Passion for innovation, problem-solving, and delivering business value through AI.