Product Manager

Raft; United States; On-site; USD 130,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Highly competitive salary

Fully covered healthcare, dental, and vision

401(k) and company match

Take as you need PTO + 11 paid holidays

Education & training benefits

Generous Referral Bonuses

Job summary

A non-traditional defense tech company is hiring a Program/Product Manager to oversee program execution and strategy. This onsite role requires leadership for software development teams and strong communication skills with DoD stakeholders. Candidates should have 5+ years of experience in Agile environments and a STEM degree. The position offers a highly competitive salary and comprehensive benefits including healthcare, 401(k), and generous PTO.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in program, project, or product management.
• Familiarity with Agile methodologies and product roadmapping.
• Proven ability to engage with senior DoD stakeholders.
• STEM degree or equivalent technical acumen.

Responsibilities

• Own program health and strategy to drive mission success.
• Lead a fast-moving software development team.
• Manage product roadmaps and oversee delivery execution.
• Engage with DoD stakeholders to deepen customer intimacy.
• Contribute to RFI/RFP responses and strategic initiatives.

Skills

Agile software development

Leadership

Communication

Ability to thrive in ambiguity

Balancing execution and strategy

Ambiguity navigation

Education

STEM degree or equivalent technical acumen

Job description

This is a U.S. based position. All of the programs we support require U.S. citizenship to be eligible for employment. All work must be conducted within the continental U.S.

Who we are:

Raft (https://TeamRaft.com) is a customer-obsessed non-traditional defense tech company dedicated to empowering U.S. military and government agencies with cutting‑edge AI/ML and data solutions. We are a leader in autonomous data fusion and Agentic AI, with a purposeful focus on Distributed Data Systems, Platforms at Scale, and Complex Application Development. With headquarters in McLean, VA, our range of clients includes innovative federal and public agencies leveraging design thinking, cutting‑edge tech stack, and cloud‑native ecosystem. We build digital solutions that impact the lives of millions of Americans.

About the role:

As a Program / Product Manager, you will take complete ownership of program health‑balancing execution, strategy, and relationship management to drive mission success. You will be responsible for leading a fast‑moving software development team, ensuring contract deliverables are met while navigating evolving priorities and customer needs. This role requires someone who thrives in ambiguity, is comfortable wearing multiple hats across program, project, and product management, and can effectively bridge the gap between technical teams and customer stakeholders.

Your day will be a dynamic mix of guiding Agile software development cycles, engaging directly with DoD stakeholders to grow customer intimacy, and adapting to shifting requirements to keep the team on track. You will manage product roadmaps, oversee delivery execution, and provide strategic leadership to ensure program success. While deep technical expertise is not required, a strong technical acumen and the ability to learn the product deeply are critical to your effectiveness in this role.

Additionally, you will be a key player in driving future opportunities—collaborating on RFI/RFP responses, shaping long‑term strategic initiatives, and positioning the team for sustained success. This is not a narrowly defined or rigid role; instead, it requires someone who is adaptable, proactive, and ready to take ownership of all aspects of program execution.

What we are looking for:

• 5+ years of experience in program, project, or product management with a focus on Agile software development
• Ability to thrive in a fast‑paced, ambiguous environment and drive clarity where needed
• Proven leadership in software development teams, ensuring execution and alignment with customer needs
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including experience engaging with senior DoD stakeholders
• Ability to balance execution and strategy, ensuring both day‑to‑day success and long‑term growth
• Familiarity with Agile methodologies, product roadmapping, and program execution
• STEM degree or equivalent technical acumen—must be able to understand and communicate technical concepts

Highly preferred:

• Experience working with DoD customers
• Track record of managing program financials, including P&L ownership
• Agile certification(s)
• Experience in a software factory environment
• Familiarity with ATO and RMF processes

Clearance Requirements:

• Active Secret security clearance with ability to obtain and maintain Top Secret/SCI security clearance

Work Type:

• Onsite at Hanscom AFB, MA
• May require up to 25% travel

Salary Range:

• The determination of compensation is predicated upon a candidate's comprehensive experience, demonstrated skill, and proven abilities

What we will offer you:

• Highly competitive salary
• Fully covered healthcare, dental, and vision coverage
• 401(k) and company match
• Take as you need PTO + 11 paid holidays
• Education & training benefits
• Generous Referral Bonuses
• And More!

Our Vision Statement:

We bridge the gap between humans and data through radical transparency and our obsession with the mission.

Our Customer Obsession:

We will approach every deliverable like it's a product. We will adopt a customer‑obsessed mentality. As we grow, and our footprint becomes larger, teams and employees will treat each other not only as teammates but customers. We must live the customer‑obsessed mindset, always. This will help us scale and it will translate to the interactions that our Rafters have with their clients and other product teams that they integrate with. Our culture will enable our success and set us apart from other companies.

How do we get there?

Public‑sector modernization is critical for us to live in a better world. We, at Raft, want to innovate and solve complex problems. And, if we are successful, our generation and the ones that follow us will live in a delightful, efficient, and accessible world where out‑of‑box thinking, and collaboration is a norm.

Raft's core philosophy is Ubuntu: I Am, Because We are. We support our nadi by elevating the other Rafters. We work as a hyper collaborative team where each team member brings a unique perspective, adding value that did not exist before. People make Raft special. We celebrate each other and our cognitive and cultural diversity. We are devoted to our practice of innovation and collaboration.

We're an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.