Lead Product Manager/Product Owner

About theta.

theta. is an SBA-Certified 8(a) & HUBZone digital integration and management firm based in Baltimore, MD, working to create a world where tech works for everybody. Our mission is to bridge the gap between the intersection of innovation and technology and practical applications that serve the public interest.

We specialize in creating software that enhances efficiency, security, and accessibility in government operations. Our commitment to be of service, be passionate, and be different drives us to deliver projects that make a significant impact.

This position is contingent upon contract award.

Position Overview:

We are seeking a Lead Product Manager/Product Owner to support complex federal software programs operating in governance and security-constrained environments. In this role, you will convert operational signals, user feedback, telemetry, and environmental constraints into prioritized, traceable backlog work that enables disciplined, iterative delivery.

You will partner closely with delivery leads, technical leads, and government stakeholders to ensure backlog clarity, release readiness, and evidence-based prioritization.

Key Responsibilities:

• Own product backlog stewardship: intake, triage, refinement, and prioritization based on operational value.
• Translate operational feedback and data signals into epics, features, and user stories with clear acceptance criteria.
• Maintain traceability from signal → decision → work item → delivered increment.
• Produce decision artifacts outlining prioritization rationale, tradeoffs, and measurable outcomes.
• Facilitate predictable planning and refinement cadences.
• Align engineering and stakeholders on the definition of done and release readiness expectations.
• Reduce backlog churn by making tradeoffs explicit and documented.
• Operate effectively across multiple delivery environments with governance constraints.

Basic Qualifications:

• 10+ years of experience serving as a Product Manager or Product Owner on complex software programs.
• Demonstrated ability to write and decompose epics → features → stories with clear acceptance criteria.
• Experience working in regulated, governance-constrained, or security-sensitive environments.
• Strong stakeholder alignment and communication skills.
• Familiarity with agile delivery metrics (lead time, reliability, outcomes).
• U.S. Citizenship required.
• Must be able to meet any other requirements for government contracts for which they are hired (e.g., must reside in the U.S., Security Clearances)
• Some of our clients may request or require travel from time to time. If this concerns you, we encourage you to apply and discuss it during your initial interview.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience supporting federal or defense software programs.
• Experience using telemetry or operational data to inform prioritization.
• Experience with onboarding external users or managing scaled intake workflows.
• Experience collaborating within DevSecOps Software Factory environments.

Why Join theta.?:

• Work on mission-driven modernization efforts serving the public interest
• Collaborate with a disciplined, outcome-oriented delivery team
• Operate in environments where product decisions directly impact operational performance.
• Competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits

If you are a disciplined, outcome-oriented Product Manager who thrives at turning ambiguity into clarity, translating operational needs into actionable backlog work, and making thoughtful tradeoffs in complex federal environments, we encourage you to apply. If you believe product stewardship is about more than managing tickets, that it's about aligning mission, engineering, and operators to deliver measurable impact, we invite you to join our team at theta.

Salary Range: $155,000 - $165,000 (DOE and project-specific details)