Chief Product Officer

Qualifications

• Demonstrated success raising venture capital with established connections within the VC community
• Track record of early-stage product commercialization, ideally from prototype or pilot stage to market delivery
• Extensive network within the startup and venture capital ecosystems
• Experience with customer discovery, beta program development, and early enterprise partnerships
• Strong strategic planning and execution capabilities in early-stage ventures
• This role offers the opportunity to commercialize validated research technology with the advantage of deep technical capability and proven concept validation already established
• Candidates with demonstrated experience navigating the prototype-to-product transition and established relationships within the venture capital community are encouraged to apply

Benefits

• Salary: $200,000–$225,000
• Performance bonus: $50,000 based on achievement of defined milestones
• Contract structure: One-year full-time engagement with intention to convert to permanent position with equity in the resulting spin-off company

Responsibilities

• As Chief Product Officer, you will partner directly with the founding team to lead the commercialization effort from prototype to market entry
• Secure venture capital funding: Leverage your established relationships with institutional investors to raise initial funding that will enable the transition from prototype to first customer delivery
• Your network and demonstrated fundraising success will be critical to establishing the financial foundation for commercialization
• Establish and manage beta testing partnerships: Identify, negotiate, and formalize partnerships with aviation industry customers for beta testing programs
• These partnerships will be essential for gathering critical feedback, validating product functionality, demonstrating market readiness, and building early customer references that support both fundraising and sales efforts
• Develop comprehensive go-to-market strategy: Create and execute a detailed sales and marketing strategy tailored specifically for the FirstOfficer™ product, including market positioning, customer segmentation, pricing strategy, sales channel development, and growth planning within the aviation sector
• Structure manufacturing partnerships: Lead negotiations with third-party manufacturing and packaging partners to establish agreements that enable scaled production and efficient market delivery
• Drive strategic business development: Shape overall business strategy, support investor relations, identify strategic partnerships, and build the operational infrastructure necessary for sustainable growth
• These objectives are interdependent and will require integrated execution to achieve successful market entry
• The Chief Product Officer will have direct influence on business strategy, fundraising outcomes, and company direction during this formative stage

Full Description

Chief Product Officer – Aviation AI Startup | Transition from DARPA Research to Market

Dynamic Object Language Labs (DOLL) is commercializing FirstOfficer™ – an AI-powered pilot assistant born from DARPA-funded research that enhances aviation safety through real-time, intelligent cockpit support.

With over 30 years of experience advancing AI, autonomous systems, and computer vision for government and research partners, DOLL is positioned to bring this breakthrough technology to market.

We are seeking an experienced product leader to drive this transition.

What You'll Do:

As Chief Product Officer, you will partner directly with the founding team to lead the commercialization effort from prototype to market entry.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Secure venture capital funding: Leverage your established relationships with institutional investors to raise initial funding that will enable the transition from prototype to first customer delivery. Your network and demonstrated fundraising success will be critical to establishing the financial foundation for commercialization.

• Establish and manage beta testing partnerships: Identify, negotiate, and formalize partnerships with aviation industry customers for beta testing programs. These partnerships will be essential for gathering critical feedback, validating product functionality, demonstrating market readiness, and building early customer references that support both fundraising and sales efforts.

• Develop comprehensive go-to-market strategy: Create and execute a detailed sales and marketing strategy tailored specifically for the FirstOfficer™ product, including market positioning, customer segmentation, pricing strategy, sales channel development, and growth planning within the aviation sector.

• Structure manufacturing partnerships: Lead negotiations with third-party manufacturing and packaging partners to establish agreements that enable scaled production and efficient market delivery.

• Drive strategic business development: Shape overall business strategy, support investor relations, identify strategic partnerships, and build the operational infrastructure necessary for sustainable growth.

These objectives are interdependent and will require integrated execution to achieve successful market entry.

What We're Looking For:

Required Qualifications:

• Demonstrated success raising venture capital with established connections within the VC community

• Track record of early-stage product commercialization, ideally from prototype or pilot stage to market delivery

• Extensive network within the startup and venture capital ecosystems

• Experience with customer discovery, beta program development, and early enterprise partnerships

• Strong strategic planning and execution capabilities in early-stage ventures

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in the aviation, aerospace, defense technology, or adjacent industries

• Prior experience as a founder, early employee, or Chief Product Officer at a venture-backed startup

• Background in manufacturing transitions and supply chain partnership development

• Expertise in go-to-market strategy and business model development for technical products

Compensation and Terms:

• Salary: $200,000–$225,000

• Performance bonus: $50,000 based on achievement of defined milestones

• Contract structure: One-year full-time engagement with intention to convert to permanent position with equity in the resulting spin-off company

About This Opportunity:

FirstOfficer™ addresses critical challenges in aviation safety through sophisticated AI and human-machine interface design.

This role offers the opportunity to commercialize validated research technology with the advantage of deep technical capability and proven concept validation already established.

The Chief Product Officer will have direct influence on business strategy, fundraising outcomes, and company direction during this formative stage.

Candidates with demonstrated experience navigating the prototype-to-product transition and established relationships within the venture capital community are encouraged to apply.