Principal Product Manager, Hardware Products

RAVE Aerospace; Brea (CA); On-site; USD 190,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

RAVE Aerospace seeks a Principal Product Manager for Hardware Products to maximize the value of our in-flight entertainment hardware portfolio. You will align internal teams and airline partners to prioritize features in the backlog and shape the product vision.

You will lead cross-functional teams, own lifecycle planning, and drive roadmap execution from ideation through launch and obsolescence, balancing technical feasibility with customer needs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical, mechanical, industrial engineering or equivalent; MBA highly preferred.
• 15+ years in Product Management or Project/Program Management.
• Experience in In-flight Entertainment or Aerospace is a strong plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead lifecycle management for hardware in-flight entertainment products from ideation to post-launch performance.
• Own product vision and priorities across the organization with stakeholders and backlogs.
• Translate business and customer needs into clear product requirements with cross-functional teams.
• Develop and maintain short- and long-term roadmaps and communicate priorities to stakeholders.
• Define and analyze product success metrics including adoption, satisfaction, and financial impact.
• Mentor other Product Managers and drive cross-functional collaboration with engineering, design, operations, and commercial teams.

Skills

Product management

Cross-functional leadership

Influence without authority

Multi-tasking

Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field

MBA preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

The Principal Product Manager, Hardware Products is responsible for maximizing the value of the product portfolio resulting from work from internal and external development and engineering teams. The Principal Product Manager, Hardware Products will be a conduit to internal and airline/partner stakeholders, as well as other Product Managers to define and prioritize features in the product backlog. They will work directly with the Product and Executive Leaders on the overall backlog and vision definition and planning activities. They are an outcome focused individual with a passion for bettering inflight experience for airlines and travelers.

Core Responsibilities

• Lead lifecycle management for hardware in-flight entertainment products, from ideation and business case development through technical execution, launch, and post-launch performance.
• Establish and own a shared product vision across the organization by building alignment on priorities, tradeoffs, and execution plans.
• Lead Product Management teams in translating business, airline, market, and customer needs into clear product requirements.
• Drive product development in close partnership with engineering, design, operations, commercial, and other cross-functional teams.
• Develop and maintain short-term and long-term product roadmaps, and communicate roadmap priorities to internal stakeholders and customers as needed.
• Ensure each product has a clearly defined long-term operational, support, and lifecycle plan.
• Own product obsolescence management, including lifecycle planning, risk identification, mitigation strategies, replacement planning, and coordination with engineering, operations, supply chain, and commercial teams.
• Incorporate usability studies, customer research, market analysis, and competitive insights into product requirements to improve customer and end-user satisfaction.
• Define, track, and analyze product success metrics, including adoption, performance, customer satisfaction, financial impact, and market success.
• Maintain a strong understanding of the IFEC, consumer technology, and entertainment technology markets.
• Understand the company’s strategic and competitive position, and deliver products that are recognized as best in the industry while capturing the voice of the customer.
• Maximize team efficiency in a fast-changing environment where processes may be fluid and creative solutions are required.
• Present product strategy, roadmap updates, business cases, and key decisions to executive stakeholders during Product Steering Committees.
• Lead product and innovation workshops with airline customers, OEM partners, and suppliers.
• Measure the financial and market success of product rollouts through data-driven scorecards where applicable.
• Own product business cases and support new sales opportunities in partnership with commercial teams.
• Own and be accountable for the product line P&L.
• Mentor and develop other Product Managers.

Core Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical, mechanical, industrial engineering or equivalent experience in a related field; MBA highly preferred
• 15+ years of experience working in Product Management or Project/Program Management
• Proven experience in In-flight Entertainment or Aerospace industry is a strong plus
• Proven ability to influence cross-functional teams without formal authority
• Ability to manage multiple tasks
• Senior level experience with Microsoft Office Suite
• Specialized Product Education highly desired. Pragmatic Institute Product Management certification is a plus
• Demonstrated launch and success of influential products or programs