Principal Product Manager, Industrial AI - Aerospace and Defense

IFS; Itasca (IL); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible paid time off

Medical, dental, & vision

401K with Company contribution

Flexible spending accounts

Life insurance and disability benefits

Tuition assistance

Community involvement and volunteering

Job summary

IFS is seeking a Principal Product Manager in Aerospace & Defense to lead AI-driven product initiatives and shape strategy for maintenance solutions. You will partner with engineering, data science, and leadership to drive AI-native delivery and governance across the domain.

The role emphasizes cross-functional collaboration, market sizing, financial modelling, and presenting roadmaps to the board, with hybrid work options in a global, diverse environment.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in product management or related leadership roles.
• Experience with aviation maintenance operations or regulated environments preferred.
• Familiarity with AI/ML governance and safety/compliance considerations.
• Aerospace & Defense domain experience preferred but not required.
• Proven ability to manage portfolio and P&L accountability.

Responsibilities

• Define operating model and long-term product strategy for Industrial AI initiatives across maintenance domains.
• Conduct market, TAM/SAM/SOM sizing, and competitive analyses for AI-enabled maintenance solutions.
• Engage airlines, MROs, OEMs, and defense operators to gather requirements and validate solutions.
• Incorporate SME input across maintenance and asset management processes to inform AI product requirements.
• Own AI governance, standards, and responsible-AI guardrails for safety-critical contexts.
• Collaborate with engineering/data science on AI-native delivery and go-to-market campaigns.
• Develop business cases and financial models to defend AI product portfolio.

Skills

AI product leadership

Cross-functional leadership

Financial modelling

Market sizing

Portfolio & P&L accountability

Communication skills

Education

Aerospace/Mechanical/CS degree

MBA (optional)

Job description

Company Description

IFS is a billion-dollar revenue company with 7000+ employees on all continents. We deliver award-winning enterprise software solutions through the use of embedded digital innovation and a single cloud-based platform to help businesses be their best when it really matters–at the Moment of Service™.

At IFS, we're flexible, we're innovative, and we're focused not only on how we can engage with our customers, but on how we can make a real change and have a worldwide impact. We help solve some of society's greatest challenges, fostering a better future through our agility, collaboration, and trust.

We celebrate diversity and accept that there are so many different perspectives in this world. As a truly international company serving people from around the globe, we realize that our success is tantamount to the respect we have for those different points of view.

By joining our team, you will have the opportunity to be part of a global, diverse environment; you will be joining a winning team with a commitment to sustainability; and a company where we get things done so that you can make a positive impact on the world.

We're looking for innovative and original thinkers to work in an environment where you can #MakeYourMoment so that we can help others make theirs.

If you want to change the status quo, we'll help you make your moment. Join Team Purple. Join IFS.

Job Description

The preferred candidate will bring strong product management experience in enterprise or industrial software, with Aerospace & Defense domain experience considered a strong advantage. Exposure to aviation maintenance, airline or MRO operations, engine overhaul, asset management, or regulated safety critical environments would be beneficial. Candidates with the ability to quickly learn complex domains, work closely with subject matter experts, and translate customer needs into AI enabled product strategy will also be strongly considered. The candidate will also have proven experience leading AI enabled product initiatives, such as predictive maintenance, digital twins, or AI assisted maintenance workflows. Exceptional communication and leadership skills are crucial for this role, as you will be responsible for leading cross-functional teams, presenting to senior leadership and the board, and helping shape the product vision for Industrial AI in Aerospace and Defense.

As Principal Product Manager in Aerospace and Defense, you are responsible for:

• Defining the operating model and long-term product strategy for Industrial AI Initiatives across aircraft, engine, and component maintenance, aligning with company objectives and market opportunities.
• Creating category-level opportunities and conducting comprehensive market and competitive analyses, including TAM/SAM/SOM sizing, for AI-enabled Aerospace & Defense maintenance solutions.
• Engaging with airlines, MRO providers, OEMs, and defense operators to gather requirements, validate solutions with real customer evidence, and ensure products meet or exceed their expectations.
• Applying domain insight, customer evidence, and subject matter expert input across Line and Base Maintenance, engine overhaul, records and compliance, and asset management processes to inform AI product requirements.
• Owning AI governance for the domain — setting the quality bar, safety and compliance standards, and responsible-AI guardrails for AI features deployed in safety-critical maintenance contexts.
• Partnering with engineering and data science teams on AI-native delivery, scoping AI features and AI-assisted workflows, and building institutional standards and PRD schemas used across the domain.
• Building the investment case and financial models to defend and prioritize the AI product portfolio, holding explicit portfolio and P&L accountability.
• Developing and implementing go-to-market strategies, pricing, and sales plays for Industrial AI products, and presenting roadmap and investment updates to senior leadership and the board.

Qualifications

A degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related STEM field; MBA is a plus.

• 10+ years of relevant product management or related leadership experience with increasing responsibility, preferably in enterprise, industrial, Aerospace & Defense, manufacturing, asset intensive, or regulated software environments.
• Experience with aviation maintenance operations, asset intensive industries, or other regulated operational environments is preferred, with the ability to partner effectively with domain experts to shape AI enabled product initiatives from concept to deployment.
• Familiarity with aviation, industrial, or other regulated operational processes is preferred, including an understanding of how AI/ML tools should be validated, governed, and responsibly deployed in safety critical or compliance sensitive environments.
• Aerospace & Defense domain experience is preferred, not required. Candidates with strong AI product leadership, enterprise software experience, and a demonstrated ability to rapidly build domain understanding will be considered.
• Experience collaborating with AI-augmented engineering and data science workflows, skilled in financial modelling, market sizing and business case creation, with experience managing portfolio and P&L accountability.
• Deep experience in managing through influence, coaching other product managers, and driving results through cross-functional teams.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with experience interfacing with customers, senior leadership, and the board.

Additional Information

• Flexible paid time off, including sick and holiday
• Medical, dental, & vision insurance
• 401K with Company contribution
• Flexible spending accounts
• Life insurance and disability benefits
• Tuition assistance
• Community involvement and volunteering events

We embrace flexibility and hybrid work opportunities to support diverse needs and lifestyles, while also valuing inclusive workplace experiences. By fostering a sense of community, we drive innovation, strengthen connections, and nurture belonging. Our commitment ensures you can work in a way that suits you best, while also engaging with colleagues to share ideas and build meaningful relationships.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. VEVRAA Federal Contractor, Equal Opportunity Employer