Director of Product - Platform, Payload & Services

Job description

**At** **[Kepler Communications](https://kepler.space/)****, we're not just imagining the future of on-demand space connectivity -** ***we're leading it!*** Our mission is to provide real-time on-orbit connectivity for critical missions, enabling a new era of data-driven intelligence and innovation. With **33 satellites launched to date,** Kepler operates the first commercial optical data relay constellation, enabling real-time, continuous space communications while supporting advanced on-orbit compute and hosted payload capabilities. Industry-leading technology is only part of the story. **What sets Kepler apart is our team:** bold thinkers, skilled builders, and passionate problem-solvers who thrive on pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in space. We believe great ideas come from diverse perspectives, and we’re committed to creating an environment where you can grow, lead, and make a global impact. If you’re ready to reach higher, move faster, and do work that shapes the future space economy - this is your launchpad. **Come build the future with Kepler!** **What We Offer:** **- Competitive compensation** designed to recognize and reward your contributions. **- Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance**—including dependents. **- 401(k)** and an **annual Wellness Allowance.** **- Unlimited vacation, supportive parental leave policy,** and company-wide holiday shutdown. **- Semi-annual company-wide parties** and regular (virtual and team events. **- Relocation packages** available for approved roles. **- $1,500 annual professional development fund** to support your growth. **- Town Halls, Celebration Calls and Frequent company-wide events** to stay connected and engaged. **- We’re a certified** [**Great Place to Work**](https://www.greatplacetowork.ca/en/certification-menu/certified-organizations-updated#certified-organizations2/view-sub-list-details70/5f3438830d6f2900170827a4/)®, seven years in a row at our Canadian Headquarters. As we scale globally, we are expanding our product leadership team to strengthen our presence across Europe and accelerate the development of our growing portfolio. We are seeking a **Director of Product - Platform, Payload & Services** to lead strategy, roadmap development, and execution across Kepler’s four core product lines. This is a senior leadership role responsible for aligning business objectives with product innovation, ensuring Kepler delivers market-leading solutions to customers across the space industry. This role requires a strategic yet execution-focused leader who thrives in fast-paced, scaling environments, brings clarity to ambiguity across teams, and is passionate about building transformative products in the space technology sector. This role is remote-first within Europe, Canada or US, working closely with global teams across North America and beyond. ### 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