Description

We know that access to the right tools and information at the right time can change lives. At APH, our job is to break down barriers and empower students, families, adults, and educators, creating a future that belongs to everyone.

Located in Louisville KY, we manufacture and distribute products and services for people who are blind or low vision, including braille large type books and educational aids.

We’re not just looking forward to an accessible future - we’re making it happen every day.  And, with the latest technology, we think the future has never been brighter for people who are blind or have vision loss.  Come join us.

Under the supervision of the Senior Director of Global Innovation and Strategy, this innovative individual will be responsible for the next generation product vision for many of APH’s technology endeavors. Leads product management, planning, and execution throughout product lifecycles, including gathering and prioritizing product and customer requirements, defining the product vision, and working closely with all stakeholders to ensure customer satisfaction and business goals are met.  Guides the roadmap for multiple product lines simultaneously, keeping inclusive design at the core of what they do.

In 2024, APH and their partner HumanWare launched the Monarch Tactile Display, a first of its kind, all-in-one tactile tablet, capable of displaying multiple lines of braille and tactile graphics on the same surface.  With this product launched and arriving in the hands of braille users around the world, this individual will be responsible for the development and maintenance of the software and hardware roadmap for APH’s Monarch product line.  In addition, APH was recently awarded a Federal Disability Innovations Fund (DIF) grant which has software development requirements for the Monarch that this individual will manage.  This role will begin with the individual managing the Monarch project but will expand to other products as time progresses.

Location:

This position is based in Louisville, Kentucky and allows for a hybrid work schedule; it may be remote for those who live outside of the Louisville, Kentucky metropolitan region.

$75,000.00 – $90,000.00 | Salary is negotiable depending on experience.

Benefits:

• Health Insurance covered at 80% for employees – plans include family planning benefits
• HSA Plan and FSA Plan – both include company contribution!
• Competitive Dental and Vision Plans
• Health and Well-being initiatives
• 4 weeks PTO
• 11 Paid Holidays
• 401(k) Plans with company match and immediate vesting
• Company provided Short Term Disability
• Basic Life Insurance at no cost to employees
• Voluntary Life Insurance with Accidental Death and Disability
• Educational Assistance and Professional Development Opportunities
• Optional Hybrid Work Schedule for approved positions only
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness Employer

• Lead the development and maintenance of the Monarch’s hardware and software roadmap.
• Coordinate the development of multiple projects containing a varied product portfolio using proven product management skills.
• Define the product use cases, collaborate across departments to define product specifications, develop and meet project timelines, and manage the scope of projects and development costs.
• Solicit product feedback and ideas from customers and experts using various product research methods, such as focus groups and surveys; build relationships with customers and experts in the field of blindness and low vision.
• Ensure all development requirements for the DIF grant are met over the next 5 years.
• Engage with the field, including partner vendors, to balance and leverage partnership opportunities, with the goal of creating innovative and exciting new products.
• Collaborate with APH staff and outside consultants to coordinate valuable and valid field tests and / or expert reviews.
• Track mainstream market trends and identify where APH can take advantage of new emerging technology, to create new, inclusive products for the classroom and beyond.
• Suggest new products and product lines, using market research and focus groups to justify prioritizing such new initiatives.
• Analyze the competitive landscape, provide feedback to help in developing and maintaining product roadmaps, and define changing user scenarios.
• Analyze ongoing sales information and trends to inform product strategy.
• Collaborate seamlessly with other product managers and other internal and external subject matter experts due to the wide variety of technical innovations products.
• Ensure all technology products are within safety and compliance guidelines set by APH.
• Write clear product use cases, work collaboratively across APH and partner resources to ensure those use cases are understood and developed into specifications according to user needs.  Must be comfortable making educated product change decisions when necessary.
• Represent APH at conferences through attendance, presentations, and support of APH’s exhibition of products.  Perform product trainings and webinars as needed.
• Serve as a thought leader in the field on a national and international level, conducting interviews, creating podcasts, and writing blogs and articles with the goal of raising APH’s prominence on a global scale.
• Work with international partners and distribution networks to increase APH’s brand and product recognition globally.
• Communicate clearly and respectfully to a variety of stakeholders both within and outside of APH.
• Complete other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Technology or a related field.  Master’s degree is valued.
• 3 years’ experience in technology, preferably adaptive technology.

A combination of education, training, and 3–5 years’ experience may be substituted when competency in the role is demonstrated.  Reasonable accommodation may be provided for those who are able to perform the essential duties of the job.

Specialized Skills and Knowledge:

• A good understanding of braille translation, the braille code, tactile graphics, and low vision user’s needs are preferred.
• Must have a passion for creating high quality, innovative products and experiences.
• The candidate will demonstrate excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Must be extremely user focused and a tremendous problem solver.
• Must be knowledgeable of basic educational principles and concepts.
• Demonstrated success developing and launching excellent products.
• A solid understanding of the braille code, tactile graphics needs and in-class general education curriculums, to identify where accessibility gaps are present is preferred.
• Should be interested in the science, technology, engineering, art and math, (STEAM), needs of blind and low vision students to ensure they can perform at the same level as their sighted classmates.   
• Experience with screen readers (such as JAWS, NVDA) and braille translation software (e.g. BrailleBlaster, Duxbury).
• Should understand the needs for both students and teachers in the classroom and during virtual instruction.
• Must show experience in leading teams, including being able to communicate, compromise, and work across departmental lines while ensuring successful completion of projects.
• Must have experience with product development and familiarity with the stage-gate process.
• Beneficial to understand the quality assurance process and a customer empathy, ideally with experience supporting customers in the field.
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office products, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.  Must have working knowledge of Adobe Acrobat, Internet browsers, and assistive technologies.
• Candidate should have experience with bug and backlog tracking software such as Redmine, Jira, etc.

Apply here. If you have trouble accessing the application through Paycom, please contact Zach Korby at zkorby@aph.org.  

Salary : $75,000 - $90,000