Head of AI — Defense | Abu Dhabi, UAE (Confidential)
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Key skills for this role
About the Role
We’re supporting a leading defense organisation in Abu Dhabi (client confidential) to appoint a Head of AI. This is a senior leadership role responsible for building and scaling AI capability across mission-critical programs from strategy and governance through to delivery, deployment, and operational impact.
Key Skills for This Role
Full Job Posting
Overview
We’re supporting a leading defense organisation in Abu Dhabi (client confidential) to appoint a Head of AI.
This is a senior leadership role responsible for building and scaling AI capability across mission-critical programs from strategy and governance through to delivery, deployment, and operational impact.
Key responsibilities
- Define and lead the AI strategy and roadmap aligned to national security and defense priorities
- Build and lead a high-performing AI function (ML engineering, data science, MLOps, applied research)
- Own end-to-end delivery of AI products: use-case selection, prototyping, validation, deployment, lifecycle management
- Establish AI governance: model risk, validation, explainability, monitoring, and documentation standards
- Drive secure-by-design AI engineering practices across classified / restricted environments
- Partner with senior stakeholders across engineering, cyber, operations, and program leadership
- Oversee vendor/partner selection and manage external research and technology relationships
- Develop talent pipelines, capability development, and internal standards for AI adoption
Location
& package
• Abu Dhabi, UAE
- Competitive package (aligned to senior leadership level)
- Clearance requirements may apply (depending on nationality and program)
Skills
- Desired profile
- Proven leadership experience building AI teams and delivering production-grade AI systems at scale
- Strong applied ML background (e.g., computer vision, NLP, predictive analytics, sensor fusion, anomaly detection)
- Deep understanding of MLOps, model monitoring, data pipelines, and deployment in constrained environments
- Experience working in defense, aerospace, government, critical infrastructure, or similarly regulated environments
- Strong governance mindset: validation, auditability, documentation, and operational risk management
- Confident stakeholder management at C-level / program leadership level
- Comfortable balancing research innovation with delivery timelines and operational realities
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