Head of AI/ML
Head of AI & Data (Technical Lead)
Thales · Defense, Aerospace & Cybersecurity · 80,000+ employees · 📍 Gennevilliers, Nanterre, FR
Thales is hiring a senior AI & Data technical lead to drive applied AI and data strategy across defense, aerospace, and cyber business units at a moment when sovereign AI and trusted AI systems are becoming strategic imperatives for European defense primes.
AI Maturity
advanced
Reports To
CTO
Why Role Exists
Expansion
Company Stage
public
Source
adzuna
Key Responsibilities
- Define and drive the AI and data technical roadmap for assigned business unit(s)
- Provide technical leadership and oversight on AI/ML and data architecture decisions
- Collaborate with product, engineering, and research teams to industrialize AI solutions
- Ensure compliance with trustworthy AI principles and regulatory requirements (EU AI Act, defense standards)
- Represent the AI & Data function in cross-functional governance and steering committees
Requirements
- Strong background in AI/ML engineering and data science (likely 8+ years)
- Experience leading technical teams or serving as a technical authority in a large organization
- Familiarity with defense, aerospace, or critical infrastructure AI constraints (safety, security, explainability)
- Proficiency in French (role based in France at French defense prime)
Signals
- ⚠ No salary range disclosed — common for French defense sector but limits candidate self-selection
- ⚠ Job description appears truncated — full scope of responsibilities not available for analysis
- ⚠ No team size or reporting line explicitly stated
- ✓ Thales is a €17B+ global defense and technology prime with massive R&D investment (€4.5B/year)
- ✓ Gennevilliers/Nanterre sites are core to Thales's most strategic programs
- ✓ European defense AI spending is surging — role has strong strategic tailwind
- ✓ Thales has an established AI organization (cortAIx) indicating real infrastructure, not a startup AI effort