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Emerging Tech Strategic Mission Lead
AI & C2 in Ukraine

Job Definition

The Emerging Tech Strategic Mission Lead – Ukraine is responsible for driving Thales’ assessment and strategy for advanced artificial intelligence (AI) and command & control (C2) solutions tailored to the Ukrainian defense landscape. This critical role ensures Thales’ leadership at the convergence of operational innovation and defense sovereignty, leveraging the group’s expertise in AI, C2, and next-generation battlefield technologies.

Mission Objectives and Scope

Lead a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary study on the role, requirements and innovation tempo for AI and C2 capabilities within Ukrainian armed forces. The mission scope includes drones and electronic warfare solutions.
Act as the focal point for identifying new opportunities where AI can provide tactical or strategic advantage (surveillance, reconnaissance, targeting, jamming, cyber-defense, counter-UAS, resilient communications….). Engage and interview key operational users, analysts, commanders, and ecosystem players.
Identify disruption and key trends, analyze the present and emerging suppliers, platforms, and products, benchmarking key functionalities, performance, and integration with C2/AI systems; identify points of contact and local technology champions or innovators.
Synthesize and report the state of the art, current gaps, latent needs, and scalability challenges across domains (e.g., information fusion and redistribution, secure data links (L16, 5G, backbone…), cyber resilience, trusted autonomy).
Deep-dive on the intersection of airspace integration, multi-sensor fusion, electronic warfare in air defense (e.g., coordination between GBAD, AirC2, drones, and EW assets), ensuring recommendations reflect the potential for next-generation solutions (AI-enabled drone swarms, EW-C2 convergence, data-driven air dominance).
Assess the impact of these technologies in real and simulated operations: effectiveness, decision cycle compression, survivability, force multiplication, and adaptive defense against enemy innovations.

Define target post-war capabilities (autonomous C2, cross-domain coordination, NATO/partner interoperability, resilience to EW/cyber threats), and their integration with core Thales products and platforms.

Expected Deliverables

Record/list of comprehensive interviews and information triangulation (Armed forces and companies).
Technology trends report and summary of present/future challenges in AI and C2 ecosystem in Ukraine, including drones and electronic warfare.
Recommendations for all relevant Thales entities (CortAIx, Land and Air System, Secure Information and Communication Systems) including innovation roadmap, strategies, partnerships, local innovation, and operational synergies.
Risk mapping and mitigation plan for the deployment of new solutions.
Actionable roadmap for implementation, from pilot programs to scalable solutions.

Profile Requirements

Proven experience executing and integrating advanced defense technologies in AI and/or C2.
Familiarity with emerging trends in unmanned systems (multi-domain), AI-powered EW, ML-enabled ISR, and secure C2 architectures.
Ability to drive field research, innovation workshops, and technical/operational analysis across multi-stakeholder, cross-cultural defense environments.
Strong communication, technical writing, and diplomatic skills, with a passion for responsible, ethical, and security-oriented innovation.

Native Ukrainian & English fluent is required.

The selected applicant should be able to obtain Ukraine Security Clearance.

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Emerging Tech Strategic Mission Lead