At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead product development for mission-critical software, ensuring user needs are met.
- Company: Join Rowden, a fast-growing engineering powerhouse focused on national security.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, inclusive culture, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Diverse team environment with a commitment to flexibility and inclusivity.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by shaping technology that supports frontline teams.
- Qualifications: Experience as a Product Owner with Agile methodologies and strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.
We’re building the UK’s next generation engineering powerhouse, providing critical technology that strengthens national security and resilience. We specialise in turning advances in sensing, AI, and communications into operational capability for the edge, where connectivity may be degraded or denied. Our work focuses on accelerating the deployment of technology, improving decision-making for frontline teams, and protecting people and critical assets in demanding environments.
About the role
We’re looking for a user-focused and pragmatic Product Owner to join Rowden, supporting the delivery of mission-critical software applications for operational users. You’ll work at the intersection of product, users, and delivery - defining requirements, shaping priorities, and ensuring outcomes align with user needs. This role sits at the heart of product decision-making. You will drive the product backlog, work in close partnership with a dedicated software delivery team and collaborate with users and customer stakeholders to shape priorities and ensure each release is functional, relevant, and ready for its intended environment. Working alongside a Rowden Principal Product Owner, you will maintain agile delivery processes and ensure the product direction remains aligned with operational requirements. The focus is on outcomes, user value, and ensuring delivery remains coherent and on track. This role is based in Bristol, with flexibility to work from home. The role requires regular visits to the customer site (approximately 90 minutes from Bristol), typically fortnightly, with some months requiring more frequent travel. Candidates must be eligible for SC clearance.
Key areas of responsibility
- Define and maintain a prioritised and well-groomed product backlog.
- Work in close partnership with the engineering delivery team, participating in sprint planning and making decisions when re-prioritisation or requirement changes arise.
- Act as owner and champion for the product, setting appropriate product development methods, tools, and techniques.
- Collaborate with users, customer stakeholders, and internal teams to shape priorities and ensure the product remains operationally relevant.
- Analyse user research and feedback, elicit requirements, and translate operational needs into clear, actionable user stories.
- Liaise with customers, users, and internal stakeholders, acting as advocate for both the user and the business.
- Monitor and summarise changes in relevant legislation, including MOD standards and export regulations.
- Ensure each release is functional, relevant, and ready for its intended operational environment.
Key skills, experience and behaviours
We are looking for someone who is passionate about technology and supporting users, and who actively invests in their skills and abilities. You will be comfortable balancing delivery pace with product rigour and bringing constructive input to complex, fast-moving environments.
Essential skills and experience
- Experience in a Product Owner or similar role within software development.
- Experience with Agile/Scrum methodologies and working in cross-functional teams.
- Proven experience managing the full lifecycle of software products, from ideation to release, with a focus on iterative development and continuous delivery.
- Demonstrated ability to break down requirements into manageable tasks and features, ensuring traceability.
- Strong stakeholder management and communication skills, capable of bridging the gap between technical and non-technical teams.
- Strong leadership skills, with the ability to inspire and guide teams toward a shared product vision.
- Familiarity with UX/UI design principles and wireframing tools (e.g. Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD).
- Knowledge of Jira and other product management tools for workflow management and sprint planning.
- Eligible for or already hold SC clearance.
Desirable (not essential)
- Experience delivering mobile (Android) software products.
- Background in public sector, defence, or government settings.
- Experience of working with Team Awareness Kit (TAK).
- Familiarity with MOD standards and defence acquisition processes.
- Prior experience in a fast-paced engineering or technology-driven environment.
About you
You are passionate about technology and creating products that people want to use. You put the user first, creating experiences that help people work effectively in demanding environments. You are flexible, adaptable, and comfortable dealing with ambiguity and evolving requirements. You have strong analytical, problem-solving, and organisational skills, and you can translate complex operational needs into clear product decisions. You have strong written and verbal communication skills and are comfortable articulating your vision, documenting product knowledge, and engaging with both technical and non-technical audiences. You are mission-focused and committed to delivering value where it matters.
Working at Rowden
We are committed to building a flexible, inclusive, and enabling company. Our aim is to create a diverse team of talented people with unique skills, experience, and backgrounds, so please apply and come as you are! We also recognise the importance of flexible working and support this wherever we can. We typically operate a flexible, hybrid-working model, with an average 3 days in the office each week (dependent on the role). We welcome the opportunity to discuss flexibility, part-time working requirements and/or workplace adjustments with all our applicants. Rowden is a Disability Confident Committed company, and we actively encourage people with disabilities and health conditions to apply for our roles. Please let us know your requirements early on so that we can make sure you have everything you need up front to help make the recruitment process and experience as easy as possible. Finally, if you feel that you don’t meet all the criteria included above but have transferable skills and relevant experience, we’d still love to hear from you!
Product Owner in Bristol employer: Rowden
Rowden in Bristol is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work culture that prioritises collaboration and innovation within the security team. With clear growth opportunities and a hybrid working model, employees can enjoy a balanced work-life while contributing to meaningful projects in governance and compliance. The supportive environment fosters professional development, making it an attractive place for those seeking rewarding careers in security.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Product Owner in Bristol
✨Join Product Management Meetups
Get involved in local product management meetups or workshops. These events are perfect for meeting industry folks, sharing ideas, and staying updated on trends. Plus, you never know who might be hiring—it's a fantastic way to make connections that could lead to a job at places like Rowden!
✨Show Off Your Product Sense
Create case studies or mini-projects showcasing your product management skills, and share them on platforms like Medium or LinkedIn. This not only puts your skills on display but also boosts your visibility in the product community. Imagine how impressed the hiring team at Rowden would be by your initiative!
✨Utilise Online Communities
Dive into online product management communities like Product Coalition or Mind the Product. Engage in discussions, ask questions, and share your insights. These platforms are goldmines for networking and finding hidden job opportunities—many companies often scout talent from within these circles.
✨Leverage Your University Network
If you’ve recently graduated or are still in uni, tap into your alumni network for connections in product management. Many universities have their own job boards and affinity resources to help graduates land roles. Don't forget to keep an eye out for job openings at Rowden through your school's career services!
We think you need these skills to ace Product Owner in Bristol
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Product Passion:When applying for a product management role like Product Owner, let your passion for developing products shine through in your cover letter. Share specific examples of products you've managed, how you solved user needs, and any successful outcomes you've achieved. This is your chance to showcase your understanding of the product lifecycle!
Highlight Your Cross-Functional Skills:Product management isn't just about understanding the product; it’s about collaborating with different teams! Make sure to emphasise your experience working with developers, designers, and marketers. Use your CV to showcase your ability to bridge gaps between these areas, and include relevant experiences that demonstrate your communication and leadership skills!
Include Your Metrics and Achievements:In a full-time product management application, data speaks volumes! Quantify your achievements wherever possible. Did you increase user retention by a certain percentage? Launch a product ahead of schedule? Include these metrics in your CV to paint a picture of your impact and effectiveness in previous roles.
Tailor Your CV to the Role:Make sure your CV is tailored for the Product Owner position at Rowden. Use keywords from the job description and ensure your relevant experiences are front and centre. Highlight any certifications or relevant training you’ve completed that will make you stand out as a strong candidate for the role. And remember, we’re excited to see your application on our website!
How to prepare for a job interview at Rowden
✨Understand the Product Life Cycle
As a product management candidate, we need to get our head around the complete product life cycle. Be prepared to discuss real-world examples of how you’ve managed product development from ideation to launch. Bring specific insights on tools like JIRA or Trello that can help streamline these processes.
✨Showcase Your Cross-Functional Skills
Product management is all about collaboration. We should be ready to highlight how we’ve worked across teams—think marketing, engineering, and design. Prepare to discuss scenarios where you had to mediate differing opinions and how you got everyone on board with a shared vision.
✨Prepare for Case Studies
In a full-time role, we can expect to encounter case study questions during our interviews. Practise solving hypothetical product problems on the spot, such as prioritising features for a new app or improving user engagement metrics. This will show our analytical thinking and decision-making skills.
✨Know Your Metrics
Let’s face it, numbers are our best friends in product management. We should prepare to discuss key performance indicators (KPIs) and how we've used analytics to inform product decisions. Dive into examples where data has driven our strategy for improvements or justified product changes.
