Michael Salas, who returns to Australia after four years in the United States, will fill a new chief information and digital officer (CIDO) job at BAE Systems Australia.
Salas joined the company in April after four years with Suez, a US environmental services multinational.
Salas “will be responsible for spearheading further digital transformation across the company and within vital defence programmes that BAE Systems is delivering for the Australian Defence Force,” according to BAE Systems Australia, which specialises in the defence, aerospace, and security sectors.
“Digital and disruptive technologies are revolutionising the globe at an incredible rate, and this is extremely challenging in the defence business,” said BAE Systems Australia CEO Ben Hudson.
“Michael has a proven track record of driving long-term change and innovation, and he will be important in the company’s continued support for the ADF and its future requirements.”
BAE Systems Australia, through its Red Ochre Labs, announced its involvement in the $250 million Defence Trailblazer programme last month, working with the University of Adelaide and UNSW.
The Australian Cyber Collaboration Centre is also a founding member of the company.
Salas left Suez’s Australian unit in 2015 after four years as its CIO.
