Director of Product
$190k - $280k USD
Katalyst Description:
We build robotic spacecraft that enable dynamic space operations, creating a future where maneuvering, upgrading, refueling, and exploration are as routine as they are on Earth. Getting to space and overcoming the gravity well is only half the story. What you do there is the future. We are not building the trains. We are building the machines that lay down the tracks. By developing the foundational capabilities that make sustained, responsive operations possible, we enable a new era of space activity that strengthens national security and ensures freedom of action in an increasingly contested domain.
Katalyst Culture:
Working at Katalyst is intense, hands-on, and deeply rewarding. You’ll take real ownership and see your work move from concept to operations in an environment where the problems are hard and the impact is real. We value humility, craftsmanship, and doing things the right way, even when it’s harder. You’ll work closely with thoughtful, driven teammates who push each other to do their best.
What You’ll Do
- Own and maintain a unified HW/SW product strategy connecting Katalyst software and hardware offerings to company priorities, customer needs, and defense requirements.
- Own, publish, and continuously refine an integrated, cross-product roadmap that aligns software, hardware, and defense-focused initiatives with clear timelines, dependencies, and delivery milestones.
- Drive product consolidation and positioning by transforming loosely defined software and defense capabilities into clearly positioned products with defined requirements, timelines, and go-to-market narratives, in close coordination with engineering, marketing, and leadership.
- Create and own market requirements for each product in the HW/SW portfolio.
- Build feature-level business cases tied to customer value and company priorities.
- Partner with engineering to assess system architecture and technical feasibility.
- Implement a stage-gate process to ensure sales and BD opportunities align with product maturity and technical baselines.
- Ensure sales and BD teams have accurate product materials to engage customers effectively.
- Manage and mentor product managers aligned to individual products and their activities.
What We’re Looking For
- Technical depth and fluency: You have systems-level technical fluency in SW and HW architectures: data systems, spacecraft HW constraints, and their integration, and a strong ability to architect products, evaluating feasibility and translating that into product decisions, roadmaps, and priorities.
- Ability to operate in ambiguity: You have the ability to take unstructured, incomplete problem spaces and create clarity, direction, and momentum.
- Execution leadership: You can drive product execution, alignment, and delivery across engineering, leadership, and stakeholders, owning outcomes, timelines, and quality in a resource-constrained environment.
- Customer POV and value proposition: You have a strong understanding of who the buyers are, how government and commercial customers evaluate and procure technology, and how to translate technical capabilities into clear value propositions, product positioning, and GTM alignment.
Your Ideal Background
- Product-minded with a strong understanding of market value propositions combined with technical fluency in space systems design.
- 3+ years of experience as a Product Manager (or equivalent) owning technically complex, hardware-enabled products; senior product management experience strongly preferred.
- Demonstrated hardware product expertise, including direct ownership of product definition, delivery, and lifecycle decisions.
- Experience leading and managing product teams, with accountability for product outcomes and cross-functional coordination.
- Experience owning upstream product and marketing, including customer discovery, demand signals, and visibility into the customer pipeline.
- Experience managing a portfolio of integrated technologies and driving new product development (not sustainment-only work).
- Background in space operations or technical engineering is desired.
- Ideally, an engineer who transitioned into product management and brings deep technical credibility to product decisions.
Additional Requirements: Must be willing to work extended hours and weekends as needed.
Compensation and Benefits: Your base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience. The anticipated salary range for this role is $190,000 - $280,000 annually.
Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at Katalyst. You will also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of the Employee Stock Option and Equity Plan, as well as a relocation bonus and other discretionary bonuses. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, and unlimited Paid Time Off.
At Katalyst our work on projects involving the U.S. Department of Defense requires adherence to International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), 22 C.F.R. Parts 120-130, which requires compliance with U.S. export laws before allowing employees to perform certain positions. Currently, our available roles necessitate access to ITAR-controlled information, and as a result, Katalyst would have to ensure any non-US person is authorized access to ITAR information before the commencement of employment. We are committed to equal employment opportunities and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin.