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Product Definition Jobs in Reston, VA (NOW HIRING)

Senior Manager, Product Marketing

Mclean, VA · On-site

$122K - $160K/yr

Role Overview This role will focus on build-stage marketing and product definition rather than launch orchestration. This Technical PMM will: * Embed directly with engineering teams supporting ...

This role drives the development of product definition and solution plans to optimize Verisign's products and services portfolio as well as identifies and builds relationships with key partners and ...

New

Product Management Director

Reston, VA · On-site

$180K - $244K/yr

This role drives the development of product definition and solution plans to optimize Verisign's products and services portfolio as well as identifies and builds relationships with key partners and ...

Senior Product Manager

Mclean, VA · On-site

$130 - $210/hr

Hardware, firmware, and software product definition. Define requirements and make trade‑off decisions across the full product experience, not just the device itself. Ensure the hardware, firmware ...

Senior Product Manager

Tysons Corner, VA

$127K - $168K/yr

Hardware, firmware, and software product definition. Define requirements and make tradeoff decisions across the full product experience, not just the device itself. Ensure the hardware, firmware, and ...

Senior Product Manager

Mclean, VA

$127K - $168K/yr

Hardware, firmware, and software product definition. Define requirements and make tradeoff decisions across the full product experience, not just the device itself. Ensure the hardware, firmware, and ...

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Showing results 1-20

Product Definition information

See Reston, VA salary details

$53.6K

$165.8K

$204.9K

How much do product definition jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 16, 2026, the average yearly pay for product definition in Reston, VA is $165,838.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $146,700.00 and $204,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals in product definition, and how can they be effectively managed?

Professionals in Product Definition often encounter challenges such as aligning cross-functional teams around a unified product vision, managing shifting stakeholder priorities, and ensuring user needs are accurately captured. Navigating these challenges typically requires strong communication skills, active stakeholder engagement, and iterative validation of requirements. Establishing clear documentation and leveraging collaboration tools can help streamline the process, ensuring that product goals and user expectations remain at the forefront throughout development.

What is product definition?

Product definition is the process of clearly outlining what a product is, who it is for, and what problems it solves. This involves gathering and analyzing customer needs, market research, and technical requirements to create a detailed description of the product's features, functions, and value proposition. The product definition acts as a blueprint for development teams and stakeholders, guiding the design, development, and launch of the product. It ensures everyone involved has a shared understanding of the product's goals and requirements.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a product definition specialist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Product Definition Specialist, you need a solid background in product design, requirements gathering, and market analysis, often supported by a degree in engineering, business, or a related field. Familiarity with product lifecycle management (PLM) software, wireframing tools, and technical documentation systems is typically required. Strong communication, attention to detail, and cross-functional collaboration skills set outstanding specialists apart. These competencies ensure that products are accurately defined, meet market needs, and are developed efficiently from concept to launch.

What is the difference between Product Definition vs Product Manager?

AspectProduct DefinitionProduct Manager
Primary RoleCreating and detailing product concepts, specifications, and featuresOverseeing the entire product lifecycle, strategy, and cross-functional coordination
Required SkillsMarket research, technical understanding, communicationLeadership, strategic planning, stakeholder management
Work EnvironmentCollaborates with design, engineering, marketing teamsCoordinates across multiple departments, manages product roadmap

Product Definition focuses on developing detailed product concepts and specifications, while Product Managers oversee the overall product strategy and lifecycle. Both roles require strong communication and industry knowledge, but Product Managers have broader responsibilities in guiding product success from conception to launch.

What are popular job titles related to Product Definition jobs in Reston, VA?

For Product Definition jobs in Reston, VA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Product Definition jobs in Reston, VA look for?

The top searched job categories for Product Definition jobs in Reston, VA are:

Principal Technical Product Manager (R5249)

Shield AI

Washington, DC • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 27 days ago


Job description

Job Summary:
Shield AI is a venture-backed defense-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. The Principal Technical Product Manager will own product definition and drive the adoption of internal platforms while shaping product direction for autonomy architectures and managing transitions of products from incubation to owning organizations.
Responsibilities:
• Own product definition, roadmap, and metrics across the office of the CTO's agentic AI portfolio: an enterprise knowledge assistant (Brain), an agent-driven engineering platform (Springboard), and enterprise AI/data modernization and app development.
• Translate CTO strategy into crisp requirements, milestones, exit criteria, and KPIs — then hold the line on them.
• Drive adoption of internal platforms: reduce onboarding friction, instrument usage, track NPS and active users, and run developer advocacy and objection handling.
• Shape product direction for foundation-model based autonomy architectures and model lifecycle tooling (evaluation, fine-tuning, verification, deployment).
• Run continuous discovery with engineers, operators, and executive stakeholders; turn findings into prioritized backlogs.
• Prioritize ruthlessly across competing initiatives with small teams and aggressive timelines.
• Analyze the agentic tooling, enterprise AI platform, and foundation model ecosystem; recommend build/buy/partner positions to leadership.
• Author strategy documents, product briefs, and executive updates that drive decisions.
• Manage transitions of maturing products from incubation to owning organizations.
Qualifications:
Required:
• 8+ years of product management for deeply technical products; engineering or CS background.
• Technical fluency: you read code, work APIs and CLIs from a terminal, and prototype with AI coding tools yourself.
• Shipped developer tools, internal platforms, or AI/ML products — and drove their adoption.
• Working fluency in LLM-based systems: agents, evaluation, context management, fine-tuning trade-offs.
• Metrics-driven operating style: you define KPIs, instrument products, and report against thresholds and objectives.
• Exceptional written communication — requirements, strategy docs, executive briefs.
• Proven stakeholder management up to the executive level across engineering, product, and business functions.
• Fluid intelligence that allows one to operate effectively in ambiguous conditions while finding opportunities to drive technical efforts and force multiply.
• This role requires travel to a Shield AI location 1-3 times per quarter.
Preferred:
• Prior experience as a software engineer.
• Experience in defense, aerospace, or other regulated environments (CUI/ITAR, restricted or disconnected deployments).
• Experience with enterprise data platforms (e.g. Databricks) and ERP/business-system integration.
• Experience with safety-critical or assurance-driven software processes (requirements traceability, V&V, certification artifacts).
• Experience taking zero-to-one internal products through incubation, adoption, and handoff.
• Experience with robotics or autonomy products.
Company:
Shield AI is a deep-tech company that focuses on developing AI-powered systems to enhance the safety of service members and civilians. Founded in 2015, the company is headquartered in San Diego, USA, with a team of 1001-5000 employees. The company is currently Late Stage.