Principal Product Manager

Position Overview

In today's dynamic worksites, seamless collaboration between people and machines is essential. FORT's platform ensures safe, secure, and dynamic control that surpasses legacy systems and next-generation AI capabilities. While autonomous machines offer significant advantages, they also introduce new safety challenges. FORT addresses these concerns by providing solutions such as the Wireless E-Stop, which allows operators to instantly stop any machine from a safe distance, enhancing safety during emergencies. Additionally, FORT's Safe Remote Control enables operators to manage heavy machinery remotely, reducing the risk of accidents and improving visibility. By ensuring communications integrity across any network, FORT empowers customers to protect their most valuable assets—people, data, and machines—ensuring they remain safe and secure.

FORT is seeking a Principal Product Manager to lead our most foundational product initiatives. This role will define what we build and why, translating customer pain, industry standards, and strategic vision into executable product requirements. You’ll work at the intersection of hardware and software, partnering closely with engineering, safety, sales, and leadership to drive clarity and momentum. This is not a traditional product role—we’re seeking someone who thrives in ambiguity, understands safety-critical systems, and has a builder’s mindset. You’ll lay the groundwork for a scalable product function at FORT, while helping define the future of autonomy and human-machine interaction.

Responsibilities

• Own the development of FORT’s product roadmap and product requirements documents (PRDs) with clear business rationale, technical feasibility, and regulatory awareness.
• Work closely with engineering and systems teams to translate product strategy into execution-ready plans.
• Lead customer discovery and pain-point synthesis across industrial automation, robotics, and safety markets.
• Serve as the bridge between engineering, sales, marketing, and leadership, ensuring alignment on roadmap priorities and tradeoffs.
• Conduct build vs. buy vs. partner analysis for key components and features.
• Integrate industry standards (e.g., ISO 13849/21434, IEC 61508, GDPR) into product development strategy and documentation.
• Contribute to go-to-market materials and external communications (roadmap presentations, panels, technical webinars).
• Represent FORT at conferences and industry events, including speaking engagements.
• Help define the future product organization by setting standards, templates, and processes.

Requirements

• Experience: 5–10+ years in product management, systems engineering, or technical program roles in robotics, automation, or safety-critical industries.
• Documentation: Experience writing or co-owning PRDs, use cases, or systems requirements.
• Functional Safety: Understand functional safety (e.g., IEC 61508, ISO 13849) and can work alongside safety engineers.
• Technical Acumen: Can speak the language of engineering, understand constraints, and engage in technical problem-solving.
• Strategic Thinking: Proven ability to synthesize customer input, competitive data, and technical insights into a clear strategy.
• Autonomy: Highly self-directed and comfortable working without an existing product org or tightly defined processes.
• Adaptability: Thrive in ambiguous, fast-moving environments and aren’t afraid to challenge assumptions or pivot.
• Startup Experience: Experience at both large industry players and smaller robotics/AI startups is a plus.

What Success Looks Like (First 6–12 Months)

• A shareable company-wide roadmap and PRDs for core product initiatives.
• A defined strategy for platform, safety, and recurring revenue expansion.
• Clear articulation of customer pain points across target verticals.
• Improved cross-functional alignment on “what and why” we build.
• Increased visibility into standards, compliance, and competitive landscape.
• Early foundation laid for a scalable product function at FORT.

Company Information

FORT's platform ensures safe, secure, and dynamic control that surpasses legacy systems and next-generation AI capabilities. FORT addresses safety challenges in autonomous machines by providing solutions like the Wireless E-Stop and Safe Remote Control, enhancing safety and operational efficiency.