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.
Headquartered in Bristol, Rowden employs around 160 people and operates over 20,000 square feet of engineering and manufacturing facilities. We have a growing international footprint and are one of Europe’s fastest-growing engineering businesses.
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.
More information about security clearance is available here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/united-kingdom-security-vetting-clearance-levels
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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.
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.
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!
What matters to us?
- Our focus is on the end user. We exist to deliver the best possible outcomes for the users of our systems.
- Pace matters. The problems we solve are urgent.
- Our diverse skills and backgrounds make us better. Our team prides itself on being inclusive and multidisciplinary.
- We are radically honest. Saying what we mean, even when it isn’t easy.
- We are pragmatists. We provide realistic, focused solutions that get to the point.
- We improve continuously. We are relentless in our drive to make things better.
