Safran.AI
AI Defense Director
Montreal · Director
No sponsorshipDetected 27 days ago
AlgorithmsRESTMachine LearningCybersecurityProduct ManagementProduct StrategyBusiness DevelopmentProcurementRecruitingResearchLeadershipCollaboration
About the role
- These solutions rely on algorithms capable of automatically detecting and identifying objects of interest in the defense, aerospace, and government sectors.
- For example, AI-powered image analysis can assist inspectors responsible for examining critical components by helping them detect potential anomalies from digital images.
- What's at Stake in This Role As Director AI for Defense Canada, you will be responsible for establishing and leading Safran.AI's practice within the Canadian Defense & Intelligence market.
Responsibilities
- Build and sustain trusted relationships with senior decision-makers across the Canadian Armed Forces, Department of National Defence, CSIS, and other relevant government agencies.
- Represent Safran.AI at key industry events, defense exhibitions, and government forums in Canada and abroad as needed (e.g., CANSEC, Ottawa Conference on Defence, etc.) to build brand awareness and establish thought leadership.
- Act as the primary point of contact for Canadian clients and partners, ensuring seamless coordination between local needs and Safran.AI's global engineering and product teams.
- Develop and manage a network of strategic partnerships with Canadian defense primes, system integrators, AI champions, SMEs, and universities to strengthen Safran's local industrial footprint and innovation pipeline.
- Negotiate and structure teaming agreements and consortium arrangements that position Safran.AI as a credible, value-adding partner in major Canadian defense programs.
- Engage with leading Canadian defense research institutions (e.g., DRDC, universities with defense AI programs) to co-develop cutting-edge capabilities and position Safran.AI at the forefront of Canadian defense AI innovation.
- Develop a comprehensive Safran.AI Canada capture and business plan (covering market positioning, go-to-market strategy, financial targets, headcount roadmap, and investment requirements) and drive its approval with Safran.AI, Safran Defense & Space Canada, and Safran group leadership, and take full ownership of its execution.
- Champion Safran AI's capabilities through speaking engagements, white papers, and participation in defense AI working groups, reinforcing Safran.AI's position as a trusted technology partner for Canada's defense and
- A subsidiary of Safran Electronics & Defense, Safran.AI develops AI solutions applied to complex data such as high-resolution satellite imagery, FMV (Full Motion Video) streams, and acoustic signals.
- The role will be locally anchored within SED Defense and Space in Canada, whose teams, infrastructure, and customer relationships you will closely collaborate with and actively mobilize in support of Safran.AI's mission.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Defense Studies, or a related technical or strategic field.
- Advanced degree (MBA, Master's in Defense Management, or equivalent) is a strong asset.
- 15+ years of combined experience in the Canadian Armed Forces and/or intelligence community, followed by a successful transition into the Canadian defense industry, with demonstrated impact in both environments.
- familiarity with Canadian security clearance frameworks is essential.
- In this case, a defense clearance will be required.
- Based in Canada, this position requires a high degree of availability for frequent travel (customer and partner meetings, conferences, workshops), representing approximately 50% of working time.
- active Canadian security clearance (Secret or above) is required or must be obtainable.
- Agility and the ability to bootstrap when necessary
Skills
- Skills and competencies:
Compensation
- Depending on the scenario selected, the benefits and compensation package may vary.
Benefits
- This is a senior leadership role combining strategic vision, hands-on business development and, in the longer term, team building.
- This role demands an entrepreneurial mindset, some autonomy, a deep understanding of the Canadian defense ecosystem, and the ability to operate effectively within a large, matrixed multinational organization.
Company info
- Proven track record of building and scaling teams, winning complex defense contracts, and driving growth within a large industrial or technology company, with the agility of an entrepreneur.
- In the context of Safran.AI's international expansion, we are looking to base a Director AI for Defense Canada in Canada.
Visa & Work Authorization
- ork across DND, CAF, Public Services and Procurement Canada, and key Canadian defense primes; familiarity with Canadian security clearance frameworks is essential
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This listing is sourced directly from Safran.AI's careers page and normalized into a canonical job model.