Product Owner

Eliassen Group · Charlotte, United States

Our client seeks an experienced Product Owner to support a highly technical Data Science team operating within a SAFe environment. The Product Owner shall serve as the liaison between Data Scientists, Engineers, and business stakeholders, translating technical initiatives into clear objectives, priorities, and updates. Focus areas include coordinating a team of approximately twenty-two. The ideal candidate brings prior experience with Data Science, Analytics, AI, or Machine Learning teams and understands the distinct delivery patterns of data science initiatives.

*Please note this is a 12 week contract, stepping in for a PO currently on Maternity Leave*

Due to client requirements, applicants must be willing and able to work on a w2 basis. For our w2 consultants, we offer a great benefits package that includes Medical, Dental, and Vision benefits, 401k with company matching, and life insurance.

Rate: $65.00 to $75.00/hr. w2

Responsibilities

• Coordinate day-to-day work across approximately twenty-two Data Science team members.
• Own and refine product backlog, user stories, and acceptance criteria aligned to SAFe practices.
• Translate complex data science and engineering initiatives into business outcomes and prioritized roadmaps.
• Partner with Data Scientists, Engineers, and stakeholders to define scope, dependencies, and measurable success criteria.
• Facilitate PI planning inputs, sprint planning, reviews, and demos with clear status and risk visibility.
• Drive integration efforts
• Lead enhancements to Architect Proposal with iterative delivery and stakeholder feedback loops.
• Manage stakeholder communications with timely updates, tradeoffs, and decision logs.
• Ensure alignment with compliance, data governance, and model lifecycle considerations.

Experience Requirements

• Proven Product Owner experience in SAFe or Scaled Agile environments.
• Direct experience supporting Data Science, Analytics, AI, or Machine Learning teams.
• Ability to manage complex technical backlogs and translate them into clear business value.
• Strong facilitation of PI events, sprint ceremonies, and cross-functional coordination.
• Background coordinating multi-disciplinary teams with competing priorities.
• Experience delivering integrations and platform rollouts.
• Excellent communication with stakeholders across business and technology.

Education Requirements:

• Mathematics or Statistics Degree is preferred, but not mandatory
• Product Owner certification preferred
• SAFe experience preferred.
• Certifications are not mandatory if the candidate demonstrates strong practical experience and understanding of the role.