Director of Strategy

After graduating in electronic engineering from ENSEEIHT in 1989, Jean-Claude Souyris completed his doctoral thesis at ONERA in 1992, focusing on polarization diversity radars. Then, he carried on his research in electromagnetic physics at the Center for Electromagnetic Theory and Applications (CETA) at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Boston from 1993 to 1995.

After a stint at CESBIO (Center for Space Studies of the Biosphere) as Research project coordinator for ESA, he joined CNES in 1997. There, he held successive positions as Radar processing engineer, R&D program manager, and Preliminary project manager in altimetry, imaging and radar interferometry.

In 2008, he took over as head of the Altimetry and Radar Department, responsible for developing payloads for a number of major missions, including JASON-2, JASON-3, SARAL/AltiKa, CFOSAT, SWOT, SAPHIR, and MEGHA-TROPIQUES.

From 2014 onwards, his career shifted towards strategic planning and technical structuring when he was appointed head of the Technology and Future Preparation Department, responsible for the research and technology plan for orbital systems. With the creation of the Innovation, Applications and Science Division (DIA) in 2016, he became head of the Valorization and Technologies sub-division, then Deputy Director of the DIA from 2018, with particular responsibility for relations with the scientific community.

In 2021, he contributed to the planning of the Technical and Digital Directorate, becoming its Deputy Director when it was created in 2022.

He was appointed Director of Strategy in December 2025.

Author of numerous scientific books and articles, Jean-Claude Souyris has also been heavily involved in academic teaching, scientific outreach, and the coordination of international scientific networks. He has represented CNES on numerous scientific committees and participated in the development of the National Space Strategy, particularly with regard to critical sovereign components.