Project and Engagement Manager

About the role

Safran.AI seeks a Project and Engagement Manager to own the end-to-end lifecycle of strategic projects within the Operations market segment. You will act as the primary liaison between Safran.AI product teams and defense and industry customers, ensuring alignment between operational needs and product delivery. This role requires you to translate complex user requirements into clear product vision and execution roadmaps while maintaining strict adherence to defense regulations. You will identify new opportunities for product evolution by directly engaging with field users and translating their feedback into actionable product updates. The position demands a high level of responsibility, autonomy, and rigor to manage multiple concurrent projects from discovery through deployment. You will be instrumental in driving the adoption of Safran.AI solutions on the ground by orchestrating discovery phases, agile development, and user validation cycles. Success in this role will be measured by your ability to deliver projects that meet user expectations and contribute to the commercial and strategic growth of the Operations market.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Orchestrate the end-to-end delivery of complex projects for defense and industry clients, ensuring seamless execution from initial discovery to final deployment.
• Define and own the high-level product vision and strategic roadmap for the Operations market based on direct field observations and stakeholder interviews.
• Conduct in-depth analysis of operational needs by immersing in customer environments to uncover latent requirements and translate them into product specifications.
• Act as the central point of contact for customer engagements, managing relationships with key decision-makers and ensuring their expectations are consistently met.
• Identify gaps in existing capabilities and propose concrete enhancements to the product roadmap that address emerging market needs.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams, including engineering and research, to ensure technical solutions are feasible and aligned with project objectives.
• Lead discovery phases and iterative development cycles, incorporating user feedback to refine solutions and validate their operational relevance.
• Monitor project progress against timelines, budgets, and quality standards, proactively mitigating risks and resolving issues as they arise.
• Translate complex technical concepts into clear value propositions for both technical and non-technical stakeholders during internal and external communications.
• Ensure all project activities comply with defense regulations and security constraints, supporting the necessary administrative processes for market access.
• Drive the collection and analysis of operational feedback to inform future iterations of products and influence long-term innovation directions.
• Represent Safran.AI in customer workshops and strategic discussions, contributing to the generation of new commercial opportunities.
• Establish and maintain strong trust-based relationships with key stakeholders to ensure smooth collaboration throughout the project lifecycle.
• Support the definition of commercial arguments and positioning tailored to specific customer sectors and use cases.

Requirements

• Hold a security clearance at the Defense level or be in the process of obtaining it, as this is a mandatory requirement for the role.
• Be legally authorized to work in France with no restrictions on your work status.
• Demonstrate a minimum of five years of experience in project management within the defense, intelligence, or related high-tech sectors.
• Possess a strong technical background that enables you to understand complex systems and their operational implications.
• Show proven ability to manage budgets, timelines, and resources for projects of significant scale and complexity.
• Have excellent communication and interpersonal skills, allowing you to interact effectively with military personnel, defense officials, and technical teams.
• Fluency in both French and English is required for all internal and external communications, including documentation and presentations.
• Exhibit strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a structured approach to diagnosing operational issues and defining solutions.
• Demonstrate a rigorous and organized work style, capable of managing multiple priorities and delivering high-quality results under tight deadlines.

Nice to have

• Previous experience working with satellite imagery, video streams, or acoustic signal processing is highly valued.
• Familiarity with agile methodologies such as Scrum or Kanban and associated tools.
• Knowledge of the defense industry landscape and current operational challenges faced by armed forces.
• Experience in a multinational or international project environment.

Practical notes

• This position is based in Paris and requires full-time on-site presence.
• Travel may be required to visit client sites or attend industry events.
• Only candidates who meet the security clearance requirements will be considered for further stages of the selection process.
• The recruitment process will include technical interviews, case studies related to operational scenarios, and assessments of interpersonal skills.