(Sharecast News) - Seeing Machines appointed former Thales general manager Ryan Murphy to the role of chief operating officer on Wednesday.The AIM-listed outfit revealed that Murphy, who has spent more than 17 years with science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) organisations operating in the defence, government, science and technology and global enterprise markets, will join the group with immediate effect.Murphy spent eight years with global defence supplier, Thales Australia, where he ran several key Australian defence infrastructure projects and was most recently chief executive at a global oil and gas geoscience firm where he was responsible for the commercialisation of complex scientific products and the restructuring of its operations.Chief executive Ken Kroeger, said: "I am delighted to welcome Ryan to Seeing Machines. He has a proven track record with an impressive career in complex markets, delivering high tech solutions and managing large workforces. His appointment further reinforces the calibre of our management team."As of 1320 BST, Seeing Machines shares had dipped 0.74% to 6.70p.