Product Manager, RNA NGS (open to Sr. Manager)

OpenKrill; United States; Remote; USD 110,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible Time Off

Holidays

401(k) with match

Employee assistance program

Job summary

Watchmaker Genomics is seeking a Product Manager, RNA NGS (open to Senior Product Manager) to drive the growth of our RNA portfolio. This role sits in Marketing, with a preference for Boulder, CO, or remote work within the United States.

The candidate will shape strategy, collaborate across R&D, Applications, and Sales, and lead lifecycle management for RNA NGS products. The ideal candidate has strong molecular biology and RNA sequencing expertise, 6+ years of industry experience (MSc) or 8–10

Qualifications

• Demonstrated expertise in NGS workflows and RNA sequencing.
• Experience leading cross-functional product teams and launches.
• Strong analytical, strategic planning, and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead RNA NGS portfolio strategy, roadmap, and lifecycle decisions.
• Coordinate with R&D, Applications, Sales, and Marketing to drive product adoption.
• Translate market needs into product requirements and business cases.
• Partner with Sales to engage customers and identify opportunities for new applications.

Skills

NGS workflows

Cross-functional leadership

Strategic thinking

Product lifecycle management

Communication

Market analysis

Roadmapping

Influence and consensus

Education

MSc in Molecular Biology / Genomics

PhD considered a plus

Job description

Position: Product Manager, RNA NGS (open to Sr. Manager)

Department: Marketing

Position Type: Full time

Location: Boulder, CO (preferred) or remote

Experience: BS and 8-10 years of experience or MS and 6+ years of relevant industry experience. Open to the title of Senior Product Manager with additional experience.

Position Summary

Watchmaker is inviting applications for the full-time position of Product Manager, RNA NGS (open to Senior Product Manager) to support our growing RNA NGS portfolio. This position is responsible for driving portfolio growth through new product development, expansion of the application scope, and proactive life cycle management with respect to our expanding RNA Library Prep (LP) portfolio, reporting to the Associate Director of NGS Product Management.

The ideal candidate will combine deep technical expertise in molecular biology, RNA sequencing, and advanced genomics applications with strong commercial acumen and strategic thinking. They will thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment, effectively lead cross-functional initiatives, and play a key role in shaping the continued growth of Watchmaker's RNA portfolio.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the organizational expert and champion for the RNA NGS portfolio, with the flexibility to support and represent adjacent portfolios as needed.
• Develop and execute product and application strategies for the RNA portfolio, including market opportunity assessments, customer segmentation, competitive analysis, business case development, roadmap prioritization, and lifecycle investment decisions.
• Translate market and customer needs into prioritized product requirements, partnering with R&D to evaluate technical feasibility and make informed tradeoffs across customer value, development effort, commercial potential, and strategic fit.
• Partner with Sales to engage key customers, understand evolving application requirements, and cultivate collaborations that drive innovative product solutions, expansion into new markets, and broader product adoption.
• Translate customer, market, competitive, and technical insights into differentiated value propositions, partnering with Product Marketing on positioning, messaging, commercialization, and sales enablement.
• Manage all product management facets of commercialization and lifecycle management, including market assessments, global pricing strategies, product documentation, sales training, and demand planning.
• Lead cross-functional collaborations with R&D, Applications, Support, Sales, Quality, and Operations to ensure successful implementation of product requirements and drive new product development through commercial launch.
• Identify and prioritize opportunities to expand the RNA portfolio into new applications, sample types, and workflows, including automated and high-throughput RNA sequencing.
• Own lifecycle performance for assigned products, monitoring revenue, adoption, customer feedback, competitive dynamics, quality trends, and product performance to identify growth opportunities and proactively address risks.
• Create and maintain competitive assessments, market intelligence, and product performance analyses to inform strategic decisions and portfolio investments.
• Lead portfolio communication and stakeholder alignment across the organization, including regular business reviews and leadership updates; proactively surface and ESC?

Please note: The above responsibilities are not exhaustive and other similar duties may be required from time to time.

Skills and Requirements

• Demonstrated technical expertise in NGS workflows, including library preparation, sequencing, and data interpretation, with experience in core molecular biology techniques.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Results-oriented, with the ability to multitask, work at a high standard, perform consistently under pressure along with pre-determined deadlines, and work without supervision.
• Strong interpersonal skills and an ability to work as an effective member of a team.
• Excellent communication and personal task management skills and a high level of self-motivation and initiative.
• Demonstrated ability to creatively solve complex problems and develop practical solutions within existing operational infrastructure, processes, and quality standards.
• Proven ability to influence & gain consensus in cross-functional teams, and to work effectively with customers, development, and sales teams.
• Experience in presenting technical information to groups with various scientific backgrounds.
• Creative and critical thinking skills to anticipate customer needs and proactively solve problems.
• Track record of success defining and launching products.
• Experience in documenting customer/product requirements and applying risk-informed decision-making within a quality management system.
• This position requires approximately 20% travel (domestic and international).

Education and Experience

• MSc degree in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Genetics, Genomics, or a related scientific field required; PhD considered a plus.
• Minimum of 6 years of relevant industry experience, including substantial hands-on experience with RNA sequencing or related transcriptomics workflows.
• Product Management experience strongly preferred; candidates with relevant experience in R&D, Applications, or other customer-facing technical roles will also be considered.
• Experience participating in or leading cross-functional new product development projects required.
• Additional experience in product strategy, portfolio ownership, commercialization, and cross-functional leadership will be considered for the Senior Product Manager level.

Compensation

The base compensation for the Product Manager, NGS role starts at $110,000 - $130,000 + bonus + equity; actual pay will be adjusted based on skills and experience.

• Flexible Time Off
• Holidays
• employer covers 75% of base medical plan with buy-up options
• EAP (employee assistance program)
• employer paid dental
• employer paid vision
• employer paid $25,000 life/AD&D policy
• paid parental leave
• 401(k) retirement plan with a 4% match

Application Requirements

• Letter of motivation (upload where it says cover letter)
• Resume or Curriculum vitae, highlighting relevant qualifications and experience

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis, and the position will remain open until filled; however, early submission is encouraged as review will begin immediately.

If selected to participate in the interview process, the names and contact information of three professional references who are able to assess your suitability for the position in terms of the specified requirements will be requested.

*** NO RECRUITMENT AGENCIES PLEASE

We are only accepting direct applications for this position. We are not working with external recruiters or agencies at this time. Unsolicited resumes or candidate submissions from third-party recruiters will not be considered and will be deemed the property of Watchmaker Genomics.

*** WE ARE AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER

Watchmaker Genomics is committed to being an equal opportunity employer and creating a culturally diverse environment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability status, age, veteran status or any other characteristics as protected by applicable law.

All applicants will be asked if currently eligible to work in the United States of America; and if