Director, Product Strategy (Dir Engineering 1) - 28713

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Director, Product Strategy (Dir Engineering 1) - 28713

Company: HII's Mission Technologies division

Location: McLean, VA

Job Type: Full Time/Salaried/Exempt

Category: Product Strategy & Operations / GTM Strategy

Date Posted: May 27, 2026

Experience Level: Management (10+ years)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Develop and execute comprehensive product strategies for the U.S. defense market, translating warfighter needs and mission gaps into viable product concepts that drive competitive advantage.

• Lead rigorous investment analyses, financial modeling, and strategic roadmapping to inform product portfolio decisions, ensuring alignment with business objectives and market realities.

• Serve as a pivotal liaison between engineering, product management, growth, sales, and executive leadership to foster a cohesive product development and go-to-market approach.

• Analyze the U.S. defense market landscape, including acquisition pathways, program budgets, and competitor positioning, to identify strategic opportunities and threats for product investment.

• Manage and mentor a small team of product strategy professionals, fostering a culture of data-driven decision-making, innovation, and accountability.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is critical for HII's Mission Technologies division, focusing on translating complex defense needs into strategic product initiatives. The emphasis on "winning" product concepts, coupled with detailed investment analysis and market intelligence, positions this as a high-impact strategic role within the GTM and product operations framework.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Formulate and refine product ideas and solution concepts into actionable product roadmaps by collaborating closely with engineering, product line managers, growth and sales teams, and executive leadership.

• Translate customer needs, capability gaps, and emerging requirements (e.g., DoW programs, OTA rapid prototyping) into clear product definitions, Minimum Viable Product (MVP) scope, and prioritized roadmap investments.

• Conduct and lead structured investment analyses for new product initiatives, encompassing development cost, recurring unit cost, addressable market size, competitive landscape, risk assessment, Net Present Value (NPV), and Internal Rate of Return (IRR).

• Build and maintain robust financial models to support stage-gate decision-making, capital investment planning, and the allocation of Independent Research and Development (IR&D) and Business & Professional (B&P) funds.

• Provide data-backed recommendations for portfolio actions (invest, pivot, sustain, or sunset) supported by clear assumptions and thorough analysis.

• Maintain an up-to-date understanding of the U.S. defense market, including program budgets, acquisition pathways (e.g., Adaptive Acquisition Framework, OTA, MTA), force design priorities, and competitor positioning across primes, mid-tier integrators, and non-traditional defense entrants.

• Identify strategic white space, emerging threats, and market inflection points that should influence product investment decisions or strategic pivots.

• Present product strategy, market posture, and investment recommendations to division and corporate executive leadership, articulating complex information clearly and concisely.

• Partner with and guide product line managers and business group leadership on incorporating strategic business case thinking into their respective product strategy roadmaps.

• Manage the hiring, performance evaluation, and professional development of a dedicated product strategy team, fostering a high-performing and collaborative environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a strong blend of strategic thinking, quantitative analysis, and cross-functional leadership, typical of senior roles in product operations and GTM strategy within the defense sector. The emphasis on specific DoD acquisition pathways and financial metrics like NPV/IRR underscores the need for deep industry knowledge and analytical rigor.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Operations Research, Business Management, Data Science, Economics, Systems Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Computer Science, or a similar degree with a strong quantitative analysis and reasoning emphasis.

Experience:

• 10+ years of progressive experience in product strategy, corporate strategy, management consulting, product management, systems engineering, or capture/business development within the U.S. defense, aerospace, or national security industry.

Required Skills:

• Demonstrated ability to build and defend investment cases to executive and board audiences, including addressable market sizing, cost modeling, NPV/IRR analysis, and risk assessment.

• Strong working knowledge of DoD acquisition pathways (e.g., Adaptive Acquisition Framework, OTA, MTA, Software Acquisition), Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution (PPBE) processes, and program of record dynamics.

• Experience collaborating with engineering teams on requirements decomposition, trade studies, and feasibility assessments.

• Understanding of International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Export Administration Regulations (EAR), and associated export compliance obligations as they apply to products and technology.

• Proven ability to lead strategic initiatives aimed at expanding existing product mixes or entering new markets.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex technical and strategic information at both technical and executive levels.

• Track record of positively influencing cross-functional stakeholders (engineers, product managers, growth/sales teams, manufacturing engineers, executive leadership) to align product vision and business objectives.

Preferred Skills:

• MBA or advanced degree in a quantitative field.

• Experience with specific defense market segments such as C5ISR, AI/Big Data, Cyber Operations, or Synthetic Training Environments.

• Familiarity with rapid prototyping, DoW programs, and OTA/MTA contracting vehicles.

• Experience in developing financial models for capital investments, IR&D, and B&P allocation.

• Deep understanding of competitive intelligence gathering and analysis within the defense sector.

📝 Enhancement Note: The education requirements emphasize a strong quantitative and analytical foundation, which is crucial for the investment analysis and strategic planning aspects of this role. The experience requirements are extensive, pointing towards a senior leadership position requiring deep domain expertise in the defense industry and proven strategic execution capabilities.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrated ability to present complex investment analyses and strategic roadmaps in a clear, concise, and compelling manner, suitable for executive audiences.

• Case studies showcasing successful product strategy development, including market analysis, competitive positioning, and go-to-market considerations.

• Evidence of financial modeling capabilities, with examples of NPV/IRR analysis, market sizing, and cost modeling for new product initiatives.

• Documentation of experience with DoD acquisition pathways and how strategic planning informed program engagement or product development.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow examples illustrating how customer needs and market intelligence are translated into product definitions and roadmap priorities.

• Documentation of experience in conducting trade studies and feasibility assessments in collaboration with engineering teams.

• Records of developing and maintaining financial models to support investment decisions and resource allocation for R&D and B&P activities.

• Process descriptions for assessing market white space, identifying threats, and recommending strategic pivots for product portfolios.

• Examples of executive briefing materials that synthesize product strategy, market posture, and investment recommendations.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Director-level role in product strategy, a portfolio should showcase strategic thinking, analytical rigor, and leadership. The emphasis is on demonstrating the ability to translate market and customer insights into actionable product plans and investment justifications, particularly within the complex defense acquisition ecosystem.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $164,655.00 - $235,222.00 (Annual)

Benefits:

• Competitive medical, dental, and vision plan choices.

• Comprehensive wellness resources and employee assistance programs.

• 401(k) Savings Plan with financial planning tools.

• Life insurance coverage.

• Employee discounts program.

• Generous paid holidays and paid time off (PTO).

• Tuition reimbursement for continued education.

• Access to early childhood and post-secondary education scholarships.

• Potential for bonus or other non-recurrent compensation (to be addressed by recruiter).

Working Hours: Full Time, typically 40 hours per week, with potential for additional hours based on project needs and deadlines. Travel is expected to be 0-10%.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided salary range is substantial, reflecting the senior management level and specialized expertise required for this Director role within the defense industry. The benefits package is comprehensive, offering a strong mix of health, financial, and professional development support, which is standard for large defense contractors. The mention of potential bonuses indicates performance-based incentives common in such senior positions.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Defense Technology & Services / Aerospace / National Security. HII's Mission Technologies division is at the forefront of the "data evolution" in national defense, providing advanced solutions across C5ISR, AI, Big Data, cyber operations, synthetic training environments, fleet sustainment, and unmanned systems. This context implies a highly technical, mission-critical, and rapidly evolving environment.

Company Size: HII's Mission Technologies division employs over 7,000 professionals worldwide. HII as a whole is a large enterprise, indicating a structured corporate environment with established processes, resources, and opportunities for career advancement, but also potentially a degree of bureaucracy.

Founded: While the founding date of HII is not explicitly provided in the raw data, it is a well-established company in the defense sector, suggesting a long history and deep institutional knowledge. This stability is often valued in defense contracting.

Team Structure:

• The Product Strategy team is described as small, suggesting a lean and agile unit reporting to the Product and Engineering SVP. The Director will manage this team, implying leadership and direct oversight responsibilities.

• Collaboration is expected across multiple departments: Engineering, Product Management, Growth & Sales, and Executive Leadership, indicating a highly cross-functional operational model.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Decision Making: The role emphasizes structured investment analyses, financial modeling (NPV, IRR), and data-backed recommendations for portfolio actions.

• Strategic Planning & Roadmapping: Developing mid-to-long-term strategic roadmaps, translating needs into product definitions, and identifying market opportunities are core operational methodologies.

• Market Intelligence & Analysis: Continuous monitoring of the U.S. defense market, competitor positioning, and acquisition pathways is crucial for informing strategy and investment.

Company Website: https://www.huntingtoningalls.com/mission-technologies/ (Inferred from company description and URL structure)

📝 Enhancement Note: The company operates in a highly specialized and secure sector. The culture likely values technical expertise, mission focus, adherence to regulations, and a structured approach to strategy and execution. The "data evolution" aspect suggests a forward-looking perspective on leveraging advanced technologies.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a senior leadership position, classified as "Director, Product Strategy (Dir Engineering 1)" and "Management" level. It signifies significant responsibility for defining strategic direction, influencing investment decisions, and managing a team. This role is a key component of the Go-to-Market (GTM) and Product Operations functions, bridging technical development with business strategy.

Reporting Structure: The Director reports directly to the Product and Engineering SVP, indicating a high level of visibility and direct access to senior executive leadership. This structure allows for direct influence on divisional strategy and investment priorities.

Operations Impact: This role has a direct and significant impact on the division's revenue growth and strategic positioning within the U.S. defense market. By shaping the product portfolio and guiding investment decisions, the Director influences which products are developed, how they are positioned, and ultimately, their success in winning contracts and programs. This directly affects the company's market share and profitability.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Advancement: Potential to advance to higher executive leadership roles within Mission Technologies or HII, such as VP of Product, SVP of Strategy, or leading larger business units.

• Specialization Deepening: Opportunity to become a recognized expert in specific defense market segments (e.g., AI/ML for defense, C5ISR solutions) or advanced acquisition strategies.

• Cross-Functional Leadership: Potential to lead broader strategic initiatives, M&A activities, or transformational projects across the division, leveraging strong business acumen and strategic planning skills.

• Team Development: Opportunity to build and scale the Product Strategy team, developing talent and establishing best practices for product strategy operations within HII.

📝 Enhancement Note: The career trajectory for a Director in this specialized field within a large defense contractor often involves a progression from strategy development to broader P&L responsibility or executive oversight of multiple product lines or strategic functions. The emphasis on influencing executive leadership and shaping investment is a clear indicator of high growth potential.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is designated as "On-site" in McLean, VA, indicating a traditional office-based work environment. This setting is typical for roles requiring close collaboration with engineering teams, executive leadership, and secure access to company resources.

Office Location(s): McLean, Virginia. This location is a significant hub for government contractors and defense industry players, offering proximity to government agencies, potential partners, and a skilled talent pool.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The job description emphasizes collaboration with engineering, product management, sales, and executive leadership. The on-site nature facilitates spontaneous discussions, brainstorming sessions, and team alignment crucial for strategic product development.

• Tools and Technology: While not explicitly detailed, an on-site role at a company like HII would likely provide access to robust IT infrastructure, secure networks, specialized software for analysis and modeling, and communication tools necessary for managing complex defense projects.

• Team Interaction: The opportunity to interact directly with various departments fosters a holistic understanding of the business and strengthens cross-functional relationships, essential for effective product strategy execution.

Work Schedule: Full-time (typically 40 hours per week) with occasional overtime expected, particularly around critical deadlines for investment analyses, strategic reviews, or proposal submissions. The 0-10% travel requirement suggests the primary focus is on the McLean office, with occasional trips for client meetings, conferences, or internal strategy sessions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement in McLean, VA, is strategic, placing the role within a key defense industry corridor. This environment is designed for intensive collaboration, secure operations, and direct access to decision-makers, supporting the high-stakes nature of defense product strategy.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and application to assess alignment with the core requirements (experience, education, security clearance eligibility). Be prepared to articulate your experience in product strategy, investment analysis, and the defense market.

• Hiring Manager Interview: Likely a deep dive into your experience with strategic roadmapping, financial modeling, and stakeholder influence. Focus on providing specific examples from your past roles that demonstrate your ability to translate complex needs into actionable product strategies.

• Panel Interviews: Expect interviews with cross-functional leaders (e.g., Engineering SVP, Head of Growth/Sales, Product Management leads). These sessions will assess your ability to collaborate, communicate effectively, and understand diverse perspectives. Be ready to discuss your approach to managing different stakeholder priorities.

• Executive Presentation/Case Study: A potential final stage may involve presenting a strategic product concept or investment analysis to senior leadership. This is where your portfolio and presentation skills will be heavily evaluated. Prepare a concise, data-driven presentation that showcases your strategic thinking and ability to articulate value and ROI.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Quantify Impact: For each case study or project in your portfolio, clearly articulate the problem, your solution/strategy, the actions taken, and most importantly, the quantifiable results (e.g., market share increase, revenue growth, cost savings, successful program win).

• Showcase Strategic Thinking: Highlight how you identified market opportunities, analyzed competitive landscapes, and developed long-term product visions. Emphasize your ability to connect product strategy to overarching business objectives.

• Demonstrate Analytical Rigor: Include examples of financial modeling, investment analyses (NPV, IRR), market sizing, and risk assessments. Show your proficiency in using data to support recommendations.

• Tailor to Defense: If possible, include examples relevant to the DoD acquisition process, national security markets, or advanced technology sectors (AI, C5ISR, etc.).

• Conciseness and Clarity: Ensure your portfolio is well-organized, easy to navigate, and communicates key information effectively. Focus on quality over quantity.

Challenge Preparation:

• Strategic Scenario: Be prepared for a case study involving a hypothetical market opportunity or challenge in the defense sector. You may need to outline a product strategy, conduct a high-level investment analysis, and recommend a course of action.

• Financial Modeling: Practice building financial models for new product investments, including assumptions for revenue, costs, market penetration, and key financial metrics.

• Stakeholder Alignment: Prepare to discuss how you would gain buy-in from different functional groups (e.g., engineering for feasibility, sales for market validation) for your strategic recommendations.

• Defense Market Knowledge: Refresh your understanding of current defense priorities, acquisition trends, and key players in the market.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for a Director-level role in this industry is rigorous, focusing on strategic acumen, analytical capabilities, and the ability to influence senior stakeholders. A well-curated portfolio demonstrating quantifiable results and strategic impact is essential for success.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Financial Modeling & Analysis Software: Proficiency with tools like Microsoft Excel (advanced functions, pivot tables, scenario analysis), potentially specialized financial planning software, and business intelligence platforms for building and analyzing investment cases, NPV, and IRR calculations.

• Presentation Software: Expertise in Microsoft PowerPoint or similar tools for developing executive-level briefings, strategic roadmaps, and portfolio reviews.

• Project Management Tools: Familiarity with tools such as Jira, Asana, or Microsoft Project may be beneficial for tracking strategic initiatives and cross-functional team progress, although direct project management is not the primary focus.

• CRM/Sales Tools (Understanding): While not directly managing CRM, understanding how sales data, pipeline information, and customer interactions feed into product strategy is important. Familiarity with Salesforce or similar CRM systems could be advantageous.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Business Intelligence Platforms: Experience with tools like Tableau, Power BI, or QlikView for visualizing market data, financial performance, and strategic metrics.

• Market Research Tools: Familiarity with industry-specific databases, market intelligence platforms, and tools for competitive analysis within the defense and aerospace sectors.

• Data Analysis Tools: While not explicitly a data scientist role, a strong analytical foundation implies comfort with data exploration and interpretation, potentially using SQL for data extraction if needed.

CRM & Automation (Understanding):

• CRM Systems: Understanding the role of CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) in capturing customer needs, market feedback, and sales pipeline data that informs product strategy.

• Automation Concepts: Awareness of how process automation can streamline GTM operations, though direct implementation is not expected.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack for this role is heavily focused on analytical tools for financial modeling, strategic planning, and executive communication. While direct experience with specific CRMs or automation platforms isn't mandated, a strong understanding of how these systems contribute to GTM and product strategy is crucial.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Mission Focus: A deep commitment to supporting national security objectives and warfighter needs, driving all strategic decisions and product development efforts.

• Data-Driven Integrity: Upholding rigorous analytical standards, ensuring all investment recommendations and strategic plans are supported by accurate data and sound quantitative reasoning.

• Strategic Foresight: Proactively anticipating market shifts, technological advancements, and evolving defense requirements to position the division for future success.

• Accountability & Excellence: Taking ownership of product strategy outcomes, driving execution excellence, and consistently delivering high-quality, impactful strategic plans.

• Collaborative Innovation: Fostering an environment where diverse perspectives are valued, encouraging cross-functional input to generate innovative product concepts and solutions.

Collaboration Style:

• Influence and Partnership: The role requires influencing stakeholders across various departments without direct authority, building strong partnerships based on trust, data, and shared objectives.

• Executive Communication: A key aspect is the ability to synthesize complex information and communicate strategic recommendations clearly and persuasively to senior leadership.

• Cross-Functional Integration: Working seamlessly with engineering to ensure technical feasibility, with sales and growth to validate market demand, and with product management to ensure roadmap alignment.

• Open Feedback Exchange: Encouraging a culture where constructive feedback is shared openly between strategy, engineering, and sales teams to refine product concepts and GTM approaches.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture values a blend of analytical rigor, strategic vision, and strong interpersonal skills, all directed towards the critical mission of national security. The emphasis on data-driven decisions and collaborative innovation is key to navigating the complexities of the defense market.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Complex Acquisition Processes: Understanding and effectively leveraging diverse DoD acquisition pathways (e.g., OTA, MTA, traditional programs) requires continuous learning and adaptation.

• Balancing Innovation with Feasibility: Identifying cutting-edge technologies and potential market white space while ensuring products are technically feasible, cost-effective, and align with program requirements.

• Influencing Diverse Stakeholders: Gaining buy-in from engineering, sales, finance, and executive leadership, each with potentially different priorities and perspectives, requires strong negotiation and communication skills.

• Rapidly Evolving Defense Landscape: Staying ahead of geopolitical shifts, technological advancements, and evolving threat assessments to ensure product strategies remain relevant and impactful.

• Resource Allocation: Making tough decisions about which product initiatives to fund (IR&D, B&P) amidst competing demands and limited resources, requiring robust justification and risk assessment.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Strategy & Analytics Training: Access to internal and external training on advanced strategic planning frameworks, financial modeling techniques, and market analysis methodologies.

• Industry Conferences & Seminars: Opportunities to attend key defense industry events, technology expos, and acquisition forums to stay abreast of trends and network with key stakeholders.

• Leadership Development Programs: HII likely offers leadership development programs aimed at enhancing skills in team management, executive communication, and strategic decision-making.

• Mentorship: Potential to be mentored by senior executives within HII or to mentor junior members of the product strategy team, fostering leadership growth.

• Exposure to Diverse Programs: Working across various product lines and technology areas within Mission Technologies provides broad exposure to different aspects of the defense market.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are inherent to operating in the high-stakes, dynamic defense sector. Successfully navigating these requires continuous learning, adaptability, and strong analytical and interpersonal skills. The growth opportunities are geared towards developing leaders who can drive strategic initiatives and navigate complex organizational and market landscapes.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you developed a product strategy for a complex market. What was your process, what data did you use, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on your methodology, data sources, and quantifiable results.)

• "How do you approach building an investment case for a new product initiative? Walk me through the key components you would include." (Highlight your understanding of NPV, IRR, market sizing, cost modeling, and risk assessment.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "Based on your understanding of HII's Mission Technologies division, how would you prioritize product investments in the current defense market?" (Showcase your research into their capabilities, market focus, and understanding of defense priorities.)

• "How do you foster collaboration and ensure alignment between product strategy, engineering, and sales teams?" (Discuss your experience with cross-functional team dynamics and influencing without authority.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each portfolio example, follow a clear structure: Problem/Opportunity -> Your Strategy/Approach -> Key Actions -> Quantifiable Results/Impact.

• Highlight Strategic Impact: Emphasize how your strategic contributions led to tangible business outcomes, such as winning new contracts, increasing market share, or driving revenue growth.

• Data Visualization: Use charts, graphs, and dashboards effectively to illustrate market trends, financial projections, and performance metrics. Ensure your data is clean and your visualizations are easy to interpret.

• Executive Summary Focus: Be prepared to provide a high-level overview of your most impactful projects, tailored to the likely interests of senior leaders.

• Practice Your Pitch: Rehearse your presentation to ensure it flows well, stays within the allotted time, and addresses the core requirements of the role. Be ready for in-depth Q&A.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating a blend of strategic vision, analytical rigor, and strong communication skills. Quantifiable achievements and a clear understanding of the defense market's unique complexities are paramount.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the application link provided on the HII careers portal.

• Customize Your Resume: Tailor your resume to highlight specific experience in product strategy, investment analysis, financial modeling, market analysis within the defense/aerospace sector, and leadership roles. Use keywords from the job description, such as "DoD acquisition pathways," "NPV/IRR analysis," and "strategic roadmapping."

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 of your most impactful projects that showcase your strategic thinking, analytical capabilities, and ability to drive business results. Ensure each project clearly outlines the challenge, your solution, your role, and quantifiable outcomes.

• Prepare Your Executive Summary: Develop a concise (1-2 minute) verbal summary of your career highlights and key qualifications, specifically tailored to this Director of Product Strategy role. Practice delivering this summary confidently.

• Research HII: Thoroughly research HII's Mission Technologies division, their current projects, market position, and stated values. Understand their strategic priorities and how this role contributes to them.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.