Software Product Manager

ipgjobs; Marlborough (MA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

IPG Photonics seeks a Software Product Manager to own the strategy and roadmap for software offerings that support our systems portfolio. You’ll partner with engineering, sales, and marketing to translate market insights into a compelling product vision and timely delivery.

Ideal candidates will have 6+ years in software product management for controls or related hardware, with Agile/Scrum experience and a track record of launching successful software products from concept through launch.

Qualifications

• Degree in CS/CS/Electrical/Systems Eng or related field; MBA a plus.
• 6+ years in software product management for control systems or related domains.
• Experience with Agile/Scrum product delivery.
• Proven track record of launching software products from concept to launch.
• Familiarity with embedded software, controls software, or systems with hardware.
• Strong fluency discussing architecture, APIs, and system integration with engineers.
• Excellent written and verbal communication; able to present to executives.
• Experience writing PRDs and user stories; backlog management (Jira/Azure DevOps).
• Strong analytical skills and data-driven prioritization.
• Willingness to travel occasionally to customer/company sites.

Responsibilities

• Own product vision, strategy, and roadmap for software products within the IPG Systems BU.
• Collaborate with global customers and an international software/dev team to shape digital transformation.
• Conduct competitive and market analysis to inform positioning and prioritization.
• Present roadmap updates and business cases to senior leadership.
• Gather and synthesize input from customers, sales, and stakeholders to define market requirements.
• Translate requirements into prioritized specifications (PRDs, user stories) for engineering.
• Plan releases with software engineering, balancing scope, quality, and timelines.
• Manage product backlog and lead sprint/release planning ceremonies.
• Collaborate with marketing and engineering on usability/workflow improvements.
• Support go-to-market activities: pricing input, enablement materials, launch messaging.
• Define and track success metrics (adoption, usage, revenue impact).

Skills

Software product management

Agile/Scrum

PRDs & user stories

APIs & system integration

Executive communication

Jira / Azure DevOps

Travel readiness

Education

BS in Computer Science / Engineering or related field

Tools

Jira

Azure DevOps

Job description

IPG Photonics is revolutionizing the laser industry as the pioneering developer and leading producer of fiber lasers and amplifiers. Headquartered in Marlborough, MA, IPG has over 4,800 employees in more than 30 locations around the world. We aspire to work together with our employees and customers to apply light in ways that improve life.

Our mission is to develop innovative laser solutions to make the world a better place. To accomplish this mission, we are committed to attracting and retaining the best talent and an engaged and thriving workforce that drives a sustainable future for our company and society.

Working at IPG Photonics you can expect challenging projects, a motivating and friendly environment, and competitive benefits.

Job Summary:

Owns the product strategy and roadmap for our software offerings that support and extend our systems portfolio. This role connects engineering, customer needs, and business strategy — turning market and customer insight into a clear product vision and driving it through delivery.

Works closely with customers, systems engineering, sales, and marketing to define requirements, prioritize the roadmap, speed up development, and launch software features that deliver real value to customers and the business. The ideal candidate has experience developing, commissioning, or supporting automation applications, knows how to get to the heart of what users actually need, and is genuinely passionate about building and shipping customer-facing products.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategy & Roadmap

• Own the product vision, strategy, and roadmap for software products within the IPG Systems BU. Execute on strategy and analysis necessary to delight customers with world-class experience on IPG Systems software suites


• Work closely with global customers and an international team of software developers, mechanical and electrical engineers, applications engineers, sales and marketing colleagues to shape digital transformation of the IPG Systems portfolio


• Conduct competitive and market analysis to inform positioning and prioritization


• Present roadmap updates and business cases to senior leadership

Requirements & Execution

• Gather and synthesize input from customers, sales, applications engineers, and internal stakeholders to define market requirements


• Translate requirements into clear, prioritized product specifications (PRDs, user stories, acceptance criteria) for engineering teams


• Partner with software engineering leads to plan releases, balancing scope, quality, and timelines


• Manage the product backlog and lead sprint/release planning ceremonies with engineering


• Collaborate with marketing and engineering on usability and workflow improvements

Go-to-Market & Stakeholder Engagement

• Support go-to-market activities: pricing input, sales enablement materials, launch messaging, and training


• Act as the internal and external voice of the customer throughout the product lifecycle

Metrics & Impact

Define and track success metrics (adoption, usage, NPS, revenue impact) for owned products

Qualifications:

• BS degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering or related technical field (MBA is a plus)


• 6+ years of experience in software product management, with proven industry experience in control system design, implementation, commissioning, or support,


• Background in Agile/Scrum product delivery


• Proven track record of launching successful software products from concept through launch


• Familiarity with embedded software, controls software, or systems that pair software with physical hardware


• Strong technical fluency — comfortable discussing architecture, APIs, and system integration with engineers


• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with experience presenting to executive stakeholders


• Experience writing PRDs, user stories, and managing product backlog (e.g., in Jira, Azure DevOps, or similar)


• Strong analytical skills; comfortable using data to drive prioritization decisions


• Ability to travel occasionally to customer sites or company sites

Preferred qualifications:

• Experience in photonics, laser systems, industrial automation, or related manufacturing technology


• Experience with B2B/industrial customer bases