Technical program manager Jobs in Sterling Heights, MI

Position Overview

VES, LLC is seeking a results-driven Senior Product Owner / Technical Project Manager to lead the planning, execution, and delivery of command and control (C2) software for ground vehicles and user interface systems for unmanned platforms. This role combines product ownership with strong project management responsibility, ensuring that complex software systems are delivered on schedule, within scope, and aligned with operational requirements.

A key aspect of this role is driving the transition of internally developed software into deployable, market-ready products. The ideal candidate will oversee end-to-end delivery while supporting product commercialization efforts, including aligning development with market needs, enabling adoption, and coordinating with business stakeholders to position solutions for broader use.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead project planning and execution for software development efforts, including scope, schedule, resources, and risk management.
• Assist in prioritizing the product backlog, ensuring alignment with project milestones, delivery timelines, and commercialization objectives.
• Develop and maintain project roadmaps, release plans, and delivery schedules that support both technical delivery and product rollout.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams including engineering, QA, UX, business development, and stakeholders to ensure successful delivery and adoption.
• Track progress against milestones and provide regular status reporting to leadership and stakeholders.
• Identify and mitigate program risks, dependencies, and technical challenges, including those impacting product deployment and adoption.
• Assist the technical lead and CTO in translating operational and customer needs into actionable requirements, user stories, and acceptance criteria.
• Oversee integration and testing efforts, ensuring software performs effectively within ground vehicle and unmanned system environments.
• Drive the productization and commercialization of the software, including coordination of release readiness, stakeholder alignment, and deployment planning.
• Support go-to-market activities by aligning product capabilities with customer needs, contributing to product positioning, and enabling successful fielding of solutions.
• Manage stakeholder expectations across technical, operational, and business teams.
• Support proposal efforts, program reviews, and customer engagements related to product offerings and delivery.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Business, or a related field.
• Minimum of 10+ years of experience in technical project management, product ownership, or program delivery within software development environments.
• Demonstrated experience managing complex software projects with cross-functional teams.
• Experience supporting or contributing to the transition of software from development into operational or market use.
• Experience with command and control systems, vehicle systems, robotics, or unmanned platforms.
• Proven ability to manage schedules, risks, dependencies, and stakeholder communication.
• Experience working within a small business environment, demonstrating adaptability, and the ability to take on diverse responsibilities in a fast-paced, resource-constrained setting.
• Experience writing and managing technical requirements, user stories, and product backlogs.
• Strong communication and leadership skills.
• Ability to obtain or maintain a security clearance (SSBI preferred).

Preferred Qualifications

• Project Management certification (e.g., PMP, PMI-ACP, or equivalent).
• Experience with software integration for hardware systems, including vehicles or unmanned platforms.
• Familiarity with UI/UX development for operator control systems.
• Experience with DevSecOps, CI/CD pipelines, and modern deployment environments.
• Background in federal or defense-related programs.
• Experience supporting product rollout, customer adoption, or go-to-market strategies for technical solutions.

Core Skills

• Strong project planning, scheduling, and execution capabilities.
• Proficiency with Agile tools (e.g., Jira, Azure DevOps) and project tracking systems.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, timelines, and stakeholders in a dynamic environment.
• Solid understanding of software development lifecycles and system integration.
• Risk management and problem-solving skills in complex technical programs.
• Ability to align technical delivery with product adoption and business objectives.
• Effective communication across engineering teams, leadership, customers, and business stakeholders.

Work Environment & Travel

• This position is located at our Detroit, MI office.
• Travel required to support program execution and stakeholder engagements.