Job Title:  Principal Product Manager

Department:  Product Management

Reports To:  Chief Product Officer

FLSA Status:  Exempt

SUMMARY 

The Principal Product Manager will lead cross-functional initiatives spanning hardware, software, and curriculum development. This role is pivotal in shaping innovative science education solutions that empower educators and inspire students through hands-on learning. The ideal candidate combines a deep understanding of product lifecycle management with strong collaboration skills and a passion for STEM education.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Product Strategy 

• Define and own the product vision and roadmaps for key initiatives across hardware, software, and curriculum offerings.
• Develop compelling business cases for new product initiatives, enhancements, and market expansions—including analysis of market opportunity, cost-benefit, risks, and strategic fit.
• Partner with executive leadership to evaluate ROI and ensure alignment with Vernier’s mission and financial objectives.
• Prioritize features and capabilities based on customer impact, business goals, and technical feasibility.
• Conduct market and competitive analysis to identify trends, gaps, and opportunities in the education technology space.

Product Development

• Partner with software and hardware engineering teams on to define solutions and requirements in alignment with product goal.
• Support day-to-day execution of product initiatives by setting clear priorities, managing timelines, and coordinating deliverables across engineering, design, and content development teams.
• Collaborate with curriculum developers to ensure seamless integration of content with Vernier tools.
• Maintain a high standard of usability, reliability, and accessibility across products.

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Collaborate closely with engineering, hardware design, curriculum development, sales, marketing, and customer support teams.
• Drive the end-to-end product lifecycle—from ideation and development to launch and iteration.
• Serve as a key point of contact as customer or product issues arise.

Customer and Market Insight

• Lead user research, interviews, and classroom observations to deeply understand educator needs and student outcomes.
• Represent Vernier at customer meetings, education conferences, and pilot testing engagements
• Translate insights into actionable product requirements and user stories.

Metrics and Optimization

• Define success metrics and regularly track product performance
• Analyze usage data, customer feedback, and sales input to identify areas for improvement.
• Iterate on existing products to maximize educational impact and user satisfaction.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS 

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in computer science, education, business or related field.
• 8+ years of product management experience in EdTech, software development, or related fields.
• Demonstrated success in managing digital product lines.
• Strong analytical skills and decision-making framework rooted in user needs and data.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills across technical and non-technical audiences.
• Experience working in Agile or similar iterative development environments.
• Familiarity with tools like Jira, Confluence, Figma, or similar.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Excellent written and oral communication is essential, since this job relies heavily on the ability to communicate effectively. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of an organization. Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common technical journals.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Ability to comprehend and apply principles of calculus, algebra, and statistics. Interpretation of graphed data.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to creatively find ways to solve problems. Ability to create solutions to problems when needed.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Ability to travel as needed.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is typical of an open cubicle environment.

Vernier Science Education is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veterans status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by law.