Agile Product Owner

Arenatechnologies; Dayton (OH); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Systems Planning and Analysis, Inc. (SPA) is seeking an Agile Product Owner to support NASIC modernization efforts. You will own and refine the product backlog, translate mission needs into features, and coordinate with mission stakeholders, engineers, and Agile teams to deliver capabilities that align with objectives.

The role requires U.S. citizenship with TS/SCI clearance, a technical degree, and 8+ years in PO/PM roles within software or systems development.

Qualifications

• 8+ years as Product Owner or similar in software/systems environment
• Experience with Agile/Scrum lifecycles and backlog refinement
• Ability to translate mission requirements into actionable software needs

Responsibilities

• Translate mission needs into prioritized software development work.
• Own and refine the product backlog and define features/user stories.
• Collaborate with mission stakeholders, systems engineers, and developers to ensure alignment with objectives.
• Support sprint planning/execution and balance priorities with capacity.
• Communicate priorities, progress, risks, and outcomes across the development lifecycle.

Skills

Agile/Scrum

Stakeholder comms

Backlog management

Cloud experience

Education

Bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering, CS, or related field

Tools

Jira

Confluence

GitLab

Job description

Overview

Systems Planning and Analysis, Inc. (SPA) delivers high-impact, technical solutions to complex national security issues. With over 50 years of business expertise and consistent growth,we are known for continuous innovation for our government customers, in both the US and abroad. Our exceptionally talented team is highly collaborative in spirit and practice, producing Results that Matter. Come work with the best! We offer opportunity, unique challenges, and clear-sighted commitment to the mission. SPA: Objective. Responsive. Trusted.

The Space and Intelligence Division provides professional services to the US Space Force, Combatant Commands, Intelligence Community, and NASA. Our work includes enterprise architectural assessments, systems engineering and integration, test, planning and execution, cost estimating and analysis, acquisition support, and cybersecurity. We are trusted partners developing approaches and concepts to meet emerging high priority needs, assessing cutting-edge technologies, and supporting capabilities for our National Defense. Come join the fastest growing Division at Systems Planning and Analysis, Inc.

The Strategic Technology Analysis Group, part of SPA’s Space and Intelligence Division, offers sophisticated capabilities (people, process & tools) to resolve unique problems in space, cyber, and special operations in support to military services, Secretary of Defense offices (OSD) and theater warfighters. Our portfolio includes the Assistant Secretary of Air Force for Space Acquisition & Integration (SAF/SQ), Joint Warfare Analysis Center (JWAC), Space Security and Defense Program (SSDP), National Space Defense Center (NSDC), Space Warfighting Analysis Center (SWAC), Strategic Capabilities Office (SCO), US Space Command (USSPACECOM) and US Space Force (USSF). Come be a part of a high-speed low-drag organization providing unique and tailored solutions for our National Defense!

SPA has a near-term need for an Agile Product Owner.

Responsibilities

The Agile Product Owner will support NASIC modernization initiatives by translating mission needs, systems engineering objectives, and cloud-native architecture requirements into prioritized software development activities. This position will own and refine the product backlog, develop and prioritize features and user stories, and work closely with mission stakeholders, systems engineers, software developers, and Agile teams to ensure software capabilities align with operational objectives and engineering standards. The Product Owner will support sprint planning and execution, balance stakeholder priorities with development capacity, and communicate product priorities, progress, risks, and outcomes throughout the development lifecycle.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• U.S. citizenship and TS/SCI security clearance at time of application
• Bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering, Computer Science, Software Engineering, Information Technology, or a related technical discipline
• 8+ years of experience serving as a Product Owner, Technical Product Owner, Product Manager, or comparable role supporting software or systems development
• Demonstrated experience with Agile/Scrum software development methodologies and software development lifecycles
• Experience developing, refining, and prioritizing product backlogs, features, epics, user stories, and acceptance criteria
• Ability to translate complex mission, technical, systems engineering, or architecture requirements into actionable software development requirements
• Experience collaborating with software developers, systems engineers, architects, analysts, and mission stakeholders
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to communicate technical concepts, priorities, dependencies, and tradeoffs to technical and non-technical stakeholders
• Ability to report to designated work location in Dayton, up to full time, based on the needs of the customer

Desired Qualifications

• Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO), Professional Scrum Product Owner (PSPO), or comparable Agile/Product Owner certification
• Experience with cloud-native software development and cloud or hybrid environments
• Experience supporting DoD, Intelligence Community, NASIC, or other mission software development environments
• Familiarity with NASIC Unified Cloud (NUC), Mission Readiness Environment (MRE), or DAF Cloudworks
• Experience working with DevSecOps, software factories, CI/CD pipelines, or secure software-development environments
• Familiarity with cross-domain solutions, Zero Trust, or other secure DoD/IC architectures
• Experience with Agile development and collaboration tools such as Jira, Confluence, GitLab, or comparable platforms
• Familiarity with systems engineering, system architecture, or Model-Based Systems Engineering concepts
• Experience integrating AI/ML, advanced analytics, or data-driven capabilities into operational software or mission workflows