Manager Unmanned Systems Jobs (NOW HIRING)

THE OPPORTUNITY

Silvus Technologies is seeking a Principal Product Line Manager who will report to the Vice President of Product on the Product team. The successful individual in this role will lead the strategy, roadmap, and lifecycle of communications solutions supporting unmanned and autonomous systems.

This role will define and drive the company's product and market strategy for communications used in platforms such as:

• Unmanned aerial systems (UAS)
• Unmanned ground vehicles (UGV)
• Maritime autonomous systems
• Robotic and AI-enabled platforms

The Principal Product Line Manager will serve as the market owner for the Unmanned Systems Segment, responsible for translating emerging operational needs into scalable product capabilities and influencing portfolio investment decisions that position Silvus as the leading communications provider for autonomous platforms.

This position requires a combination of deep technical understanding, market insight, and strategic leadership, with the ability to shape product direction across multiple internal teams and product lines.  It is a role that is highly visible to senior management and influential towards existing and new product revenue areas as well as all levels of customer staff/team members and their system integrators. Direct customer and OEM partner interaction is an ongoing activity. 

SUCCESS FACTORS

The Principal Product Line Manager is responsible for ensuring that customer-driven opportunities are translated into scalable product capabilities that strengthen the long-term Silvus platform rather than one-off solutions. Within the first 12 months this role will:

• Establish a clear product strategy for the Unmanned Systems Communications Segment.
• Expand Silvus technology adoption across new autonomous platforms.
• Drive roadmap decisions that enable scalable integration with unmanned systems ecosystems.
• Strengthen partnerships with key integrators and platform manufacturers.
• Position Silvus as a core networking technology for next-generation autonomous missions.

WHY JOIN SILVUS

• Drive the product strategy and market expansion for our Unmanned Systems Segment at a fast-growing, mission-driven technology leader.
• Shape the product strategy and market direction for cutting-edge tactical communication systems.
• Work with exceptional engineers and program leaders on technologies that protect lives and enable critical missions.
• Play a defining role in scaling one of the most innovative companies in defense technology.

This position is based at Silvus Technologies' Engineering and R&D Office in Irvine, CA, near the vibrant Irvine Spectrum and is on a hybrid schedule.  A minimum of 4 days onsite per week is expected. On-site days are Monday through Thursday, with at least 1 of those days per week spent at Silvus Technologies' headquarters in West Los Angeles, CA.

The following is a list of at least some of the current essential job functions of the position. Management may assign or reassign duties and responsibilities at any time at its discretion.

ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Market and Portfolio Strategy
  • Own the market strategy for Unmanned Systems Communications across defense, public safety, and commercial robotics markets.
  • Identify emerging operational needs, technology trends, and mission requirements driving next-generation unmanned systems.
  • Define how Silvus networking capabilities should evolve to support autonomous and robotic platforms.
  • Develop and maintain a multi-year strategic roadmap aligned with company objectives and market opportunities.
  • Lead portfolio prioritization based on market potential, ROI, and strategic value.
  • Contribute to pricing, positioning, and go-to-market decisions grounded in data and customer insight.
  • Work across multiple product lines to ensure Silvus solutions collectively support unmanned systems use cases.
  • Identify gaps in the portfolio that limit adoption in autonomous platforms.
  • Advocate for platform capabilities that improve scalability, integration, and performance across the unmanned systems ecosystem.
• Customer Engagement
  • Work closely with Business Development, Sales, and Sales Engineering to shape opportunities in the Unmanned Systems Market.
  • Engage directly with platform manufacturers, defense integrators, robotics companies, and government program offices.
  • Translate real-world operational needs into product requirements and strategic roadmap inputs.
  • Identify partnerships and integration opportunities that expand the Silvus ecosystem.
• Product Lifecycle Management
  • Oversee lifecycle strategy for Unmanned Systems Communications solutions from concept through launch, growth, and sustainment, ensuring clear definition of the Minimum Viable Product (MVP) and subsequent releases for hardware, software, and integrated systems.
  • Track product performance including market adoption, customer feedback, and competitive positioning.
  • Identify opportunities for product expansion, upgrades, or next-generation platforms.
  • Serve as the connective tissue among Engineering, Marketing, Sales, and Operations to align decisions with business strategy and customer needs (e.g. Partner with Sales to develop compelling product narratives and training; collaborate with Operations to forecast product demands and manage lifecycle transitions).
  • Travel Requirements - up to 25% as needed, to maintain strong customer engagement and relationships.
  • Perform other related duties of which the above are representative.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or related field.
• Minimum 10 years of experience in product management, product line management, or technical product leadership.
• Experience with wireless communications, networking, radio frequency systems, or related technologies.
• Strong ability to translate operational use cases into scalable product capabilities.
• Demonstrated experience influencing cross-functional teams including engineering, sales, and business development.
• Strong technical aptitude and systems-level thinking.
• Security Clearance: Active U.S. Government SECRET clearance or the ability to obtain one within 15 months of hire.
• Must be a U.S. Citizen due to clients under U.S. government contracts.
• All employment is contingent upon the successful clearance of a background check and drug test.

PREFERRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• MBA or advanced Engineering degree.
• Experience with unmanned systems, robotics, or autonomous platforms.
• Background supporting defense, aerospace, or government programs.
• Familiarity with tactical communications, mesh networking, command-and-control systems, or ISR and sensor data transport.

WORKING CONDITIONS & PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Office environment.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to do the following:
  • Lift equipment up to 20 lbs. for the set-up of demonstrations and testing.
  • Perform bending and reaching movements to place items on lower and higher shelves.