Product Owner

Job Description:

• The end-client is seeking a dynamic and detail-oriented Product Owner to lead the development and validation of smart device technologies in partnership with a global Tier 1 customer.
• The ideal candidate will bridge the gap between cross-functional teams (hardware software QA manufacturing) and the customer ensuring that product requirements are well defined prioritized and delivered effectively.
• As a Product Owner you will be responsible for driving product vision backlog management sprint planning and continuous alignment with stakeholders.
• You will be working closely with internal R&D teams and external customer teams to develop validate and deliver high-quality smart device solutions that meet stringent global standards.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead Product Vision and Strategy: Define and drive the long-term product roadmap aligning product development with both customer needs and market trends.
• Stakeholder Management: Act as the principal liaison between internal teams and the global Tier 1 customer ensuring alignment on product features milestones and quality expectations.
• Product Backlog Management: Own the product backlog and prioritize user stories features and requirements based on strategic objectives customer needs and technical feasibility.
• Drive Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with senior leadership and technical teams (hardware software validation and manufacturing) to ensure smooth coordination and on-time delivery.
• Agile Leadership: Lead Agile processes and ensure that teams are consistently delivering value iterating rapidly and adhering to high-quality standards. Champion continuous improvement in Agile methodologies.
• Product Validation and Testing: Oversee the validation program ensuring the product meets all technical regulatory and customer-specific requirements. Manage testing phases and ensure compliance with global standards.
• Customer Engagement: Present and demo product features to customer executives and senior leadership ensuring their needs are met and feedback is incorporated into future releases.
• Risk and Dependency Management: Identify and mitigate risks associated with product development manage complex dependencies and resolve issues promptly.
• Product Lifecycle Oversight: Own the full lifecycle of the product from concept through development validation and post-launch support. Ensure the product aligns with industry regulations and standards.
• KPI and Metrics Reporting: Provide executive-level reporting on product performance development progress and any potential roadblocks.

Technical Expertise Required:

• Extensive experience (20 years) in smart device development including IoT consumer electronics wearables and/or automotive.
• Deep understanding of embedded systems wireless communication protocols (e.g. BLE Zigbee Wi-Fi) firmware and hardware-software integration.
• Expertise in validation and testing processes across hardware and software including compliance with industry standards (e.g. FCC CE ISO).
• Proficiency with Agile methodologies and tools like Jira Confluence or similar.
• Hands-on experience in product lifecycle management and the ability to lead large-scale product launches.
• Strong understanding of cloud platforms AI integration and emerging technologies in smart devices.

Strategic and Leadership Skills Required:

• Proven track record in leading global product teams and managing complex cross-functional projects with multiple stakeholders.
• Exceptional stakeholder management skills with the ability to communicate complex technical concepts to senior executives and non-technical audiences.
• Ability to drive customer-centric product strategies and translate customer needs into high-level product vision and detailed requirements.
• Strong problem-solving and conflict resolution capabilities with the ability to make tough decisions in high-pressure situations.
• Ability to balance long-term strategic planning with short-term tactical execution.

Experience Required:

• 20 years in a Product Owner or equivalent senior role in smart device IoT or consumer electronics development.
• Proven leadership experience in collaborating with Tier 1 customers in a global or enterprise-level context.
• Expertise in developing and managing highly complex products with a focus on validation quality assurance and regulatory compliance.
• Demonstrated success in driving cross-functional team performance across regions and time zones.
• Experience in product management or technical program management in wearable devices or related hardware/software systems.
• Strong understanding of system-level validation verification methodologies and test planning.
• Familiarity with wearable device technologies including AR/VR hardware sensors firmware and software integration.
• Ability to work cross-functionally with engineering QA and product teams.
• Excellent communication organizational and leadership skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO) or equivalent agile certification.
• Technical background in Electrical/Electronics Engineering Computer Science or a related discipline.
• Experience in leading large-scale product portfolios and aligning them with global market trends and customer-specific requirements.
• Knowledge of advanced technologies such as AI/ML voice assistants or connected ecosystems in smart devices.