Product Manager, C100 Aircraft

Performance Drone Works (PDW) builds technologies for the warfighter, by the warfighter. Born out of the Drone Racing League, our roots are competitive, our mindset is tactical, and our mission is clear: deliver purpose-built unmanned systems to those who serve. We are not here to sell vapor; we build and ship real capabilities for real missions.

Now, we’re entering a new phase of growth and are looking for a Product Manager for the C100 Aircraft that will be the strategic and operational lead responsible for defining, executing, and scaling the product vision for the C100 category within PDW’s product portfolio. This role ensures that the C100 meets customer needs, delivers mission readiness and differentiation in global defense markets, and aligns with PDW’s long-term innovation and growth objectives.

The product manager will collaborate across engineering, operations, program management, GTM, and customer teams to guide C100 product strategy through the product lifecycle from capability definition and requirements prioritization to fielding and sustainment.

• Define and evolve the C100 product category vision and roadmap in alignment with PDW’s business strategy and customer needs and wants.
• Lead market, competitor, and customer analyses to identify opportunities and threats within tactical UAS and related mission domains.
• Translate operational needs from Department of War stakeholders and international partners into product strategies.
• Develop and maintain comprehensive capability requirements, user stories, and acceptance criteria for the C100 portfolio and modular payload ecosystem.
• Prioritize features, tradeoffs, and investments across hardware, software, sensor suites, and mission payloads.
• Partner with systems engineering to ensure requirements are technically feasible, testable, and aligned with pertinent standards (e.g., NDAA/Blue UAS compliance)
• Serve as the primary product liaison to Engineering, Program Management, Test & Flight Operations, and Operations teams.
• Partner with GTM to gather voice-of-the-customer feedback, identify product gaps and product improvements, and product use cases.
• Apply proper data marking, access control, and distribution practices
• Support audits, customer reviews, and regulatory interactions as needed

• Background in Engineering, Systems Design, Computer Science, or related field.
• Experience with Group 2/Class I–II UAS or equivalent tactical aviation systems.
• 7+ years’ experience in product management or product ownership in aerospace, defense systems, or unmanned systems.
• Demonstrated knowledge of UAS product domains, mission requirements, and DoD acquisition ecosystems.
• Strong technical acumen in electro-mechanical systems, software platforms, and modular payload architectures.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and influence technical and business stakeholders.
• Background in user-centered design, operational testing, and iterative product development.
• Must be eligible to obtain and maintain a U.S. Secret security clearance or higher, as required

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Ability to sit, stand, bend, reach, climb, and move about regularly throughout the day and lift / carry up to 50 pounds. Must have manual dexterity to operate standard machine shop equipment as well as standard office equipment. Must be physically capable of tolerating loud noise, heat, cold, dust, or chemicals (with PPE).

This position typically operates in a standard office setting and manufacturing environment. This role requires use of standard office equipment and may involve exposure to loud noise, heat, cold, dust, or chemicals (with PPE) and may require occasional travel to test sites/customer locations/supplier facilities. This position may have exposure to outdoor weather conditions, noise, and non-climate-controlled environments. May require the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) depending on the environment.

This is a fast-paced work environment and requires cross departmental collaboration with independent and…