Ground Systems Operational Concepts & Doctrinal Disruption Lead

John Cockerill, catalyseur d’opportunités

Animé depuis 1817 par l'esprit d'entreprendre et la soif d'innovation de son fondateur, le Groupe John Cockerill développe des solutions technologiques à large échelle pour répondre aux besoins de son temps : faciliter l'accès aux énergies bas carbone, permettre une production industrielle durable, préserver les ressources naturelles, contribuer à une mobilité plus verte, renforcer la sécurité et installer des infrastructures essentielles.

Son offre aux entreprises, aux Etats et aux collectivités se traduit par des services et des équipements associés dans les secteurs de l'énergie, de la défense, de l'industrie, de l'environnement, des transports et des infrastructures. Avec plus de 8 000 collaborateurs, John Cockerill a réalisé un chiffre d'affaires de 1,417 milliard d'euros en 2024 dans 28 pays, sur 5 continents. 

Description of the Role

This is not a liaison role. It is an innovation leadership role with doctrinal authority. The ideal candidate is a senior officer transitioning to a second career who wants to have genuine impact on what gets built, not just introduce people at conferences. This person co-authors the Concept of Operations, defines engagement rules, and prepares the evaluation scenarios that will determine whether the program succeeds or fails at Demonstration. When the engineering team debates whether a feature matters operationally, this person settles it with credibility earned in the field.

Detailed Responsibilities

• Co-author the Concept of Operations for all vehicle families, grounded in operational credibility and current doctrine
• Define engagement rules: human-in-the-loop mandatory, rules of engagement framework, escalation protocols
• Prepare the defense procurement agency evaluation scenarios, Program Demonstration and Qualification Review
• Drive innovation positioning within the national robotics program and allied cooperation frameworks
• Maintain and develop institutional relationships: defense procurement agency (land systems division), armed forces staff, allied defense ministries, and centers of excellence
• Challenge engineering assumptions with operational reality: arbitrate when engineers build what is technically elegant versus what soldiers actually need
• Represent the CELL at defense exhibitions and conferences with the authority of someone who has commanded in the field
• Shape ground robotics doctrine from within the program: contribute to national and allied doctrine publications on autonomous ground vehicles

Competencies: Diplomas, Experience, and Soft Skills

• 15+ years in the armed forces
• Active institutional network within the defense procurement ecosystem. Ability to open doors that are otherwise closed to startups.
• Demonstrated interest in innovation and technology, not just operational command. Has contributed to doctrine development, operational analysis, or capability planning.

• Fluent French. Professional English. German and Spanish valued. Understanding of allied doctrine language.
• Diplomatic skills combined with directness: can translate startup urgency into institutional language and military requirements into engineering specifications.
• Willingness to be embedded in a small, fast-moving team where rank is irrelevant and contribution is everything.

John Cockerill vous offre des opportunités de carrière et de développement au sein de ses différents secteurs dans une ambiance de travail conviviale. 
Vous souhaitez évoluer au sein d’une entreprise innovante qui vous permettra de relever des défis techniques au quotidien?

Nous attendons avec impatience votre candidature et nous avons hâte de vous rencontrer. Découvrez nos opportunités en détail sur Career - John Cockerill