Director of Product - Platform, Payload & Services

Key Responsibilities:

Product Strategy & Vision:

• Lead product strategy for ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) use cases across Kepler's platform, payload, and space infrastructure services, enabling real-time data relay, tasking, and delivery for defense and commercial customers
  

• Define and scale end-to-end ISR product offerings by integrating payload capabilities, space-based communications, and ground/data services to support low-latency, mission-critical intelligence workflows 
  
• Drive development of ISR-focused solutions that leverageKepler's platform for persistent connectivity, rapid data downlink, and in-mission responsiveness across distributed space assets 

• Define and drive the product vision and long-term strategy across Kepler’s product portfolio and translate company objectives into clear, actionable product initiatives 

• Identify new market opportunities across Europe and globally, including government, commercial, and defense sectors  and act as a key voice of the customer, incorporating feedback into product evolution 

Roadmap Ownership:

• Own and maintain integrated roadmaps for Kepler’s four product lines, ensuring alignment with company priorities 

• Balance short-term delivery with long-term innovation across: 

• Data relay services, Hosted Payload solutions, Real-time connectivity solutions, Mission-specific service offerings, Emerging / next-gen capabilities 

• Drive prioritization decisions based on customer value, technical feasibility, and business impact 

• Ensure cross-product coherence, avoiding silos and maximizing platform leverage 

Cross-Functional Leadership:

• Partner closely with engineering, solutions architects, sales, and commercial operations teams to deliver products successfully 

• Lead cross-functional planning processes, including quarterly and annual product planning and collaborate with go-to-market teams to ensure successful launches and adoption 

Execution & Delivery:

• Oversee execution from concept through launch and iteration and establish clear success metrics for each product line 

• Ensure timely delivery while managing risk in a highly technical, hardware-software integrated environment 

Market & Customer Engagement:

• Build strong relationships with European, Canadian and US customers, partners, and regulatory stakeholders 

• Represent Kepler at industry events, conferences, and customer engagements and monitor competitive landscape and industry trends to inform strategy 

Leadership & Growth:

• Foster a culture of accountability, innovation, and customer focus 

• Help scale product processes and best practices as Kepler grows 

Required Skills & Qualifications:

• 8+ years of experience in Product Management, with at least 3+ years in a leadership role 
• BS/BA in engineering, business, or related field 
• Experience working with a mix of Canadian, US, and European commercial and defense customers, regulators, or markets
• Proven experience owning complex product portfolios or multiple product lines 
• Strong track record of building and executing product roadmaps in technical domains 
• Experience working in space, satellite, defense, or deep tech industries 
• Demonstrated ability to work cross-functionally in global, distributed teams 
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills with the ability to navigate ambiguity and drive clarity across teams 
• 15-25% travel within Europe and North America with travel to Kepler HQ in Toronto
• Demonstrates a willingness to adopt and effectively utilize AI-assisted engineering tools, applying sound judgment to improve productivity, quality, and innovation while continuously adapting to evolving technologies

Bonus Points:

• Familiarity with satellite communications, networking, or mission operations 

• MBA or advanced degree in engineering, business, or related field 

• Ability to collaborate across time zones with teams in North America