Head of AI — Defense | Abu Dhabi, UAE (Confidential)

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.

• 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 progr...