Principal, Product Manager

Confluent Inc; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Confluent Inc is seeking a Principal Product Manager to own the strategy and execution for Apache Flink across Confluent Cloud and Platform. This high-leverage IC role requires a seasoned leader who can translate complex streaming systems into clear product plans and drive cross-functional alignment.

You will shape multi-year roadmaps, partner with engineering, GTM, and executives, and identify 0-to-1 opportunities in AI and data architecture.

Qualifications

• Proven ability to own and deliver product strategy for complex cloud data products for customers ranging from data engineers to software developers.
• Deep technical expertise in distributed systems, data engineering, and cloud.
• Domain expertise in streaming technologies such as Kafka, Flink, or Spark is a plus but not required.
• Experience leading product development across the entire lifecycle, scaling businesses from early product-market fit to substantial revenue.

Responsibilities

• Define and drive the multi-year product strategy and roadmap for Apache Flink across cloud and on-prem products.
• Establish structured processes to align product, engineering, GTM, and executive stakeholders.
• Identify high-leverage, 0-to-1 product opportunities for Flink and in adjacent areas like AI, data engineering, data warehousing, and event-driven applications.
• Define how Confluent Flink offerings will work across Confluent and IBM product portfolio.

Skills

Distributed systems

Data engineering

Cloud

Kafka

Flink

Spark

Product leadership

Job description

We’re not just building better tech. We’re rewriting how data moves and what the world can do with it. With Confluent, data doesn’t sit still. Our platform puts information in motion, streaming in near real-time so companies can react faster, build smarter, and deliver experiences as dynamic as the world around them.

It takes a certain kind of person to join this team. Those who ask hard questions, give honest feedback, and show up for each other. No egos, no solo acts. Just smart, curious humans pushing toward something bigger, together.

One Confluent. One Team. One Data Streaming Platform.

About the Role:

This Principal Product Manager role is a high-leverage Individual Contributor position responsible for the complete product strategy and execution for Apache Flink across Confluent Cloud and Platform. This is an ambiguous and technical domain that requires a seasoned leader who can build durable platform capabilities, translate complex systems into clear strategy, and operate independently.

What You Will Do:

Define and drive the multi-year product strategy and roadmap for Apache Flink across cloud and on-prem products.

Establish structured processes to align product, engineering, GTM, and executive stakeholders.

Identify high-leverage, 0-to-1 product opportunities for Flink and in adjacent areas like AI, data engineering, data warehousing, and event-driven applications.

Define how Confluent Flink offerings will work across Confluent and IBM product portfolio.

What You Will Bring:

Proven ability to own and deliver product strategy for complex cloud data products for customers ranging from data engineers to software developers.

Deep technical expertise in distributed systems, data engineering, and cloud. Domain expertise in streaming technologies such as Kafka, Flink, or Spark is a plus but not required.

Experience leading product development across the entire lifecycle, scaling businesses from early product-market fit to substantial revenue.

10+ years of experience in product management for a technical software or cloud service product.

What Gives You an Edge:

Hands-on engineering or technical background, including comfort with systems design, API design, and several languages (e.g., Python, Java, Scala, SQL, etc.).

Experience with open-source software and determining commercialization strategy while building the community.

Track record in data infrastructure, analytics, AI/ML platforms, real-time systems, or streaming systems, especially where the product serves customers with a diversity of technical depth.

Ready to build what's next? Let’s get in motion.

Come As You Are

Belonging isn’t a perk here. It’s the baseline. We work across time zones and backgrounds, knowing the best ideas come from different perspectives. And we make space for everyone to lead, grow, and challenge what’s possible.

We’re proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. Employment decisions are based on job-related criteria, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other classification protected by law.

Privacy Statement

Confluent is an IBM subsidiary which has been acquired by IBM and will be integrated into the IBM organization. By proceeding with this application, you understand that Confluent will share your personal information with other IBM affiliates involved in your recruitment process, wherever these are located. More Information on how IBM protects your personal information, including the safeguards in case of cross-border data transfer, are available here.

At Confluent, we are committed to providing competitive pay and benefits that are in line with industry standards. We analyze and carefully consider several factors when determining compensation, including work history, education, professional experience, and location. The actual pay may vary depending on your skills, qualifications, experience, and work location. In addition, Confluent offers a wide range of employee benefits. To learn more about our benefits.