Operations Manager at Harmattan AI (United Arab Emirates)Operations Manager

Harmattan AI is a next-generation defense prime building autonomous and scalable defense systems. Following the close of a $200M Series B, valuing the company at $1.4 billion, we are expanding our teams and capabilities to deliver mission-critical systems to allied forces. Our work is guided by clear values: building technologies with real-world impact, pursuing excellence in everything we do, setting ambitious goals, and taking on the hardest technical challenges. We operate in a demanding environment where rigor, ownership, and execution are expected.

As an Operations Manager at Harmattan AI, you will play a key role in ensuring the smooth and reliable functioning of our operations across MEA regions. You will support and execute a wide range of operational, administrative, and people-related activities, while contributing to the structuring and continuous improvement of our internal processes. This role requires a high level of rigor, adaptability, and ownership. You will operate in a fast-paced environment with high standards, where attention to detail, autonomy, and a strong execution mindset are essential.

Driving Operational Excellence Across Locations

• Own the seamless execution of day-to-day operations across Harmattan AI’s MEA regions.
• Design and implement scalable, high-performance workflows spanning operations, administration, and people initiatives.
• Oversee regulatory and compliance matters with precision, from insurance coverage to administrative governance, ensuring robustness without friction.

Thriving in a Fast-Moving Environment

• Operate with speed, clarity, and composure in an ever-evolving landscape.
• Anticipate urgent or unexpected operational needs and respond with creativity and decisiveness.
• Switch effortlessly between industry-facing operations and internal topics such as people, security, and administration.
• Bring a relentless, solution-first mindset, focused on outcomes, not obstacles.
• Step up proactively during high-stakes or critical moments to keep the organisation moving forward.

Orchestrating External Partnerships

• Act as a trusted interface with external stakeholders: vendors, service providers, insurers, administrative bodies, and partners.
• Communicate with authority, structure, and professionalism.
• Drive disciplined follow-up to ensure every commitment is met and every partnership performs at the highest standard.

• Master’s degree preferred in Business Administration, Engineering, Finance, or a related field.
• Professional proficiency in English, Arabic and French.
• Proven exposure to operational roles requiring versatility, reliability, and high execution standards.
• Comfortable working autonomously in a fast-growing environment with high expectations.
• Strong organisational skills, structured thinking, and excellent written and verbal expression.
• Ability to handle multiple topics in parallel without losing attention to detail.
• Proactive, resourceful, and solution-oriented mindset.
• Comfortable interacting with both internal teams and external stakeholders.

We look forward to hearing how you can help shape the future of autonomous defense systems at Harmattan AI.