Lead Product Manager
Salary
$145,000.00 Annually
Location
10 Park Plaza, Boston
Job Type
Full-Time
Job Number
26-20172
Department
MBTA - Technology Innovation Division
Area
863-Technology Innovation Division
Opening Date
09/23/2026
Closing Date
10/7/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Bargaining Unit
MBTA STW Steelworkers
Licenses / Certifications
Please see job description.
Safety Sensitive
No; this is not a Safety Sensitive position.
On-Call or 24/7
No; this position is not classified as on-call or 24/7.
Essential Classification (Emergency Staff)
No; this position is classified as non-essential (during declared States of Emergency).
- Description
- Benefits
- Questions
At the MBTA, we envision a thriving region enabled by a best-in-class transit system. Our mission is to serve the public by providing safe, reliable, and accessible transportation. MBTA's core values are built around safety, service, equity, sustainability, culture, and accessibility, and each employee that works for the MBTA performs their roles based on our vision, mission, and values. This includes attendance, participation, and contribution in local safety committee meetings as needed.
Job Summary
The Lead Product Manager leads product management for one or more products within an assigned portfolio, which are critical to the organization's mission and are deeply technical in nature. The Lead Product Manager is responsible for collaborating with cross-functional partners to define a product vision and roadmap that align with a Program-level strategy. The Lead Product Manager upholds product management excellence in the realm of civic technology, operating within the specific constraints of the MBTA.
Duties & Responsibilities
- Define product-level vision(s) in collaboration with cross-functional peers in Program, Research, UX Design, and Engineering in accordance with Program-level strategy, outcomes, and investment priorities. Incorporate strategic goals into team priorities and roadmaps.
- Build and execute on a roadmap for multiple products or a single complex product. Develop, document, and clarify the problems the product solves for, and maintain a prioritized product backlog in alignment with strategy.
- Serve as lead resource to Product Managers by providing guidance and subject matter expertise on product management practices, roadmap development, prioritization, stakeholder engagement, and product delivery.
- Plan and lead cross-team coordination for complex product initiatives.
- Leverage quantitative data and user research to prioritize work. This includes prioritizing work from sprint to sprint and maintaining a backlog of tasks in collaboration with research, design, tech and program teams. Effectively communicate priorities and acceptance criteria across levels and job functions.
- Develop a deep understanding of stakeholder priorities and the applications included in the portfolio. Become familiar with the needs of users and stakeholders, technical architecture and features of the product(s), and how to communicate about those things with the product team and with MBTA leadership.
- Mitigate risk for product development initiatives by proactively identifying potential risks, developing mitigation strategies, and incorporating risk planning into the product development process.
- Perform all other duties and projects that may be assigned.
Additional responsibilities may include focus on one or more departments or locations. See applicable addendum for department or location specific functions.
Supervision
Minimum Requirements & Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.
- Six (6) years of experience in product management and/or development defining or contributing to product-level vision(s) in collaboration with cross-functional peers, delivering multiple products or a single complex product, and developing, documenting, and clarifying problems.
- Experience providing formal or informal leadership to product teams in complex technology settings.
- Experience contributing to a multi-year product strategy or planning processes.
- Experience developing a product roadmap, quarterly roadmapping process, and/or standardized product management processes.
- Ability to present a product management case study relevant to the role.
- Experience identifying and mitigating delivery or product risks in complex technology environments.
- As part of the selection process, candidates may be asked to complete job-related technical assessments, which may include a product management case study exercise.
Substitutions
- A high school diploma or GED with an additional seven (7) years of directly related experience substitutes for the bachelor's degree requirement.
- An associate's degree from an accredited institution and an additional three (3) years of directly related experience substitutes for the bachelor's degree requirement.
- A master's degree in a related subject substitutes for two (2) years of general experience.
- A nationally recognized certification, or statewide/professional certification in a related field substitutes for one (1) year of experience.
Preferred Experience & Skills
- Experience in public sector, transportation agency, and/or civic technology team.
- Experience mentoring, coaching, or providing functional leadership to product teams.
- Experience establishing product management standards, frameworks, or best practices across multiple teams or products.
- Experience facilitating product portfolio planning or prioritization activities.
Job Conditions:
- Ability to effectively read, comprehend, communicate, and respond to instructions, orders, signs, notices, inquiries, etc. in English.
- Be at least eighteen (18) years of age, except if participating in an approved high school internship / co-op program.
- Ability to commute to assigned work locations in the Boston, MA metro area, as required by the role.
- Ability to provide internal and external customers with courteous and professional experiences.
- Ability to work effectively, independently, and as part of a diverse workforce team (or supervise, if required).
- Ability to uphold the rights and interests of the MBTA while building and maintaining effective relationships with employees and co-workers.
- Ability to adhere to rules, regulations, collective bargaining agreements (if applicable), and policies of the MBTA, including the EEO, anti-discrimination, anti-harassment, and anti-retaliation policies.
- Have a satisfactory work record for the two (2) years immediately prior to the closing date of this posting (unless if current student or recent graduate), including overall employment, job performance, discipline, and safety records (infractions and/or offenses occurring after the closing of the posting and before the filling of a vacancy may preclude a candidate from consideration for selection).
- Ability to pass a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check, comprehensive background screening, and / or medical Clinic screening, potentially including physical examination and drug and alcohol screenings.
- Ability to work all shifts and / or locations assigned, directed, or necessary for this position, including (for some transit / operations roles) up to twenty-four (24) hours per day, seven (7) days per week as necessary to accommodate severe weather conditions, emergencies, or any other circumstances that may potentially impact service or the safety of service.
- Intern / co-op staff must be enrolled full or part-time in an accredited educational program and maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 for the entire duration of the internship / co-op. Additionally, interns / co-ops must have valid work authorization and U.S. Social Security Number prior to starting pre-employment screenings / pre-boarding, working in their positions, and throughout the duration of their program.
Disclaimers and Definitions:
- General Disclaimer: The statements contained in this job description are intended to describe a summary, general nature, and complexity of typical job functions and do not represent an exhaustive list of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities required of staff assigned to this position.
- Application Completion: It is each applicant's responsibility to ensure application details are entered completely and correctly, including updated work and education histories (past and current). Incomplete applications may not be considered. Attachments do not substitute for application fields. The recruitment team does not have access to existing employee data / history.
- Application Deadlines: Applicants should apply as soon as possible, as the MBTA may stop considering applicants after a sufficiently large applicant pool is established.
- Work Environment: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here-in are representative of those an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. See job description for role-specific requirements.
- Work Eligibility: All employees must be legally authorized to work in the United States and on an unrestricted basis. The MBTA does not have an employer work sponsorship program. However, if you have unrestricted work authorization, or are sponsored by a separate entity, you are welcome to apply. Further, all persons hired will require a U.S. Social Security Number prior to starting the position and employees will be required to complete a Form I-9 to verify their identity and eligibility to work in the U.S.
- Interviews: Candidates should ensure they arrive on time, are prepared, can remain for the duration, and if remote, are in a quiet place without distraction, for the interview. Candidates who do not attend their interview without advance authorization, including an email confirmation of a rescheduled time/date from Human Resources, will be considered a no-show and disqualified from consideration for the position. Related to rescheduling, on a one-time basis, and due to something emergent, you may be allowed to reschedule the interview. In addition, Human Resources may require documentation supporting the request. However, should you need to reschedule, you will need to contact your Recruiter directly by email.
- Safety Sensitive Positions: Employees working in this classification will be subject to periodic physical examinations plus random drug and alcohol testing.
- On-call or 24/7 Positions: Employees working in this classification must be available to respond to page / text / call and report to work as determined by assigned department or the Authority.
- Essential / Emergency Staff: During declared "states of emergency," employees working in this classification are required to report to work for their assigned work hours or as directed by management.
- ADA Accommodations: The MBTA makes reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. If you require an accommodation during this process, please contact the MBTAs ADA Unit at 617-222-5751 or hradaaa@mbta.com.
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: The MBTA is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. For terms, descriptions, and definitions related to diversity, equity, inclusion, veteran status, and immediate family members that you may find on the application form, please visit mbta.com/careers-app-definitions.
- Intern / Co-Op Benefits: Employees taking part in an internship or co-op at the MBTA are eligible to receive accrued paid sick leave as well as a monthly transportation pass, based on the city from which the intern / co-op commutes to work, at no cost. However, no additional benefits are currently offered for interns or co-ops.
Employment Benefits at the MBTA
Full-Time Employees:
The MBTA offers comprehensive benefits packages. Types of benefits offered at the MBTA are subject to the union affiliation / Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) of the position to which you apply. Benefits that may apply to your position include the following:
- Insurance: Health, Dental, Vision, Life (basic and supplemental), and Long-Term Disability
- Paid Time Off (PTO): Vacation, Personal Days, Sick Leave, and Holidays
- Retirement: Pension or deferred compensation 401(a), plus MBTA contributions
- Complimentary pass for travel on the MBTA transit system (bus, train, ferry, and Commuter Rail)
- Tuition Reimbursement (up to $10,000 per year)
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) for student loans
- Commuter Choice Parking Program: Pre-tax benefits for parking
- Flexible Spending Account (FSA): Pre-tax benefits for healthcare-related expenses
- Discounted tickets for concerts, movies, travel / vacation, etc. via TicketsAtWork.com
- Shopping discounts via GovX.com
- Verizon and AT&T service discounts
- And more...
Disclaimer:
The above information is meant to be a general overview of the benefit programs offered by the MBTA, which may or may not apply to a specific position. This summary is not a contract and is not meant to change the provisions of union contracts or Authority policies and does not establish a binding practice. Please contact the assigned Recruiter directly or email hrstaffing@mbta.com for more information.
The MBTA is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer
01
Which statement accurately describes your experience and education?
- I did not obtain a high school diploma or equivalent
- A high school diploma and thirteen (13) or more years of experience in product management and/or development defining or contributing to product-level vision(s) in collaboration with cross-functional peers, delivering multiple products or a single complex product, and developing, documenting, and clarifying problems.
- An associates degree and nine (9) or more years of experience in product management and/or development defining or contributing to product-level vision(s) in collaboration with cross-functional peers, delivering multiple products or a single complex product, and developing, documenting, and clarifying problems.
- A bachelors degree and six (6) or more years of experience in product management and/or development defining or contributing to product-level vision(s) in collaboration with cross-functional peers, delivering multiple products or a single complex product, and developing, documenting, and clarifying problems.
- A masters degree and four (4) or more years of experience in product management and/or development defining or contributing to product-level vision(s) in collaboration with cross-functional peers, delivering multiple products or a single complex product, and developing, documenting, and clarifying problems.
02
Do you have a nationally recognized certification, or statewide/professional certification in a related field to substitute for one (1) year of the required experience?
03
Do you have experience providing formal or informal leadership to product teams in complex technology settings?
04
Do you have experience contributing to a multi-year product strategy or planning processes?
05
Do you have experience developing a product roadmap, quarterly roadmapping process, and/or standardized product management processes?
06
Do you have the ability to present a product management case study relevant to the role?
07
Do you have experience identifying and mitigating delivery or product risks in complex technology environments?
08
Are you legally authorized to work in the United States?
09
Will you now or in the future require visa sponsorship to continue working in the United States (e.g. H-1B visa status)?
Required Question
Employer Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
Address 10 Park Plaza
Boston, Massachusetts, 02116
Phone (617) 222-3200
Website https://www.mbta.com