Middle East Defense Program Manager - Autonomous Systems

Harmattan AI

Abu Dhabi

On-site

AED 300,000 - 450,000

Full time

2 days ago

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Job summary

Harmattan AI in the UAE seeks aSenior Program Manager with 10+ years in defence/aerospace to lead end-to-end delivery of complex export contracts. You will serve as the single customer contact, coordinate a cross-functional team across the Middle East and France, and ensure compliance with contractual and regulatory requirements.

The role demands structured, calm leadership under pressure, hands-on PMO setup, and proven ability to manage budgets, schedules, and risk.

Qualifications

10+ years in defence/aerospace PM, with €20M+ export contract end-to-end in Middle East.
Direct MoD-level customer exposure: offset, local content and dual-use export licensing.
Autonomous, structured, calm under customer pressure; able to scale PMO.
Engineering degree required (aerospace, EE, systems, mechatronics); PMP a plus; Arabic + English mandatory.

Responsibilities

Act as the single point of contact for the customer throughout program execution.
Lead and coordinate cross-functional teams to ensure on-time, on-spec delivery of complex systems.
Guarantee all deliverables meet contractual, technical, and operational requirements.
Anticipate risks and lead rapid, structured resolution of issues.
Own the program timeline and ensure billing is activated at contractual milestones.
Track and resolve program-level blockers, both technical and administrative.
Ensure centralized product policies align with program-specific constraints.