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.
About the RoleThe Manager Automation & Industrialisation designs, deploys, and scales automation-driven manufacturing and industrial processes across Harmattan AI production sites.
Reporting to the Head of Production & SCM, the role sits at the intersection of engineering, manufacturing, automation, and quality, translating product designs into robust, scalable, and automation-ready production systems. The role is hands-on, technical, and execution-driven, with ownership from early industrialisation through serial production.
ResponsibilitiesDefine and execute Harmattan AI’s automation and industrialisation roadmap.
Design scalable production architectures including workstations, flow lines, robotic cells, and test systems.
Lead industrialisation of new products, ensuring manufacturability, repeatability, and quality.
Drive Design for Manufacturing and Automation (DFM/DFA) in close partnership with Engineering.
Specify and integrate automation equipment, tooling, test systems, and PLC-based controls.
Manage automation suppliers from concept to commissioning.
Support factory ramp-ups (Paris → Wissous → future sites).
Ensure production systems meet defence, safety, and compliance requirements.
Support continuous improvement, cycle-time reduction, and yield optimisation.
Experience in automation engineering, industrialisation, or manufacturing engineering, ideally in aerospace, defence, advanced electronics, or mechatronics.
Team management experience is required
Proven track record taking products from prototype to serial production.
Hands-on experience with semi-automated and automated assembly systems, PLC-controlled equipment (Siemens preferred), and industrial tooling.
Solid understanding of DFM/DFA, PFMEA, and lean manufacturing principles.
Adaptability & Mobility: Thrives under pressure in a fast-paced, dynamic environment; embraces a “no-task-is-too-small” mentality. Willingness to travel and work flexible schedules (evenings/weekends as needed).
Communication & Influence: Excellent written and verbal communication, capable of leading diverse principals – from junior members to senior executives.
Commitment: 100% dedication to Harmattan AI’s mission, vision, and ambitious growth plans, ready to go the extra mile to ensure operational excellence.
We look forward to hearing how you can help shape the future of autonomous defense systems at Harmattan AI.
Skills Required
- Experience in automation engineering, industrialisation, or manufacturing engineering
- Team management experience
- Proven track record taking products from prototype to serial production
- Hands-on experience with semi-automated and automated assembly systems
- Experience with PLC-controlled equipment
- Siemens PLC experience
- Experience specifying and integrating automation equipment, tooling, test systems, and PLC-based controls
- Solid understanding of DFM/DFA, PFMEA, and lean manufacturing principles
- Experience managing automation suppliers from concept to commissioning
- Willingness to travel and work flexible schedules (evenings/weekends as needed)
- Excellent written and verbal communication; ability to lead diverse stakeholders
- Experience in aerospace, defence, advanced electronics, or mechatronics
Harmattan AI Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Harmattan AI and has not been reviewed or approved by Harmattan AI.
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Fair & Transparent Compensation — Pay ranges are publicly shown for multiple U.S. roles (e.g., $140k–$200k base) and appear broadly in line with late‑stage startup/defense‑tech expectations based on the postings cited.
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Equity Value & Accessibility — Equity is repeatedly referenced in several job postings as part of total compensation, which can increase upside potential at a recently funded, high‑valuation company.
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Strong & Reliable Incentives — Sign‑on bonuses are explicitly mentioned in a hiring post for candidates who can start quickly, indicating the use of cash incentives in at least some hiring situations.
Harmattan AI Insights
What We Do
Harmattan AI is rising as a next-generation defense prime, building the future of autonomous warfare. We leverage AI-driven autonomy, real-time intelligence, and conflict-ready production to deliver attritable systems and autonomous mission management software. Designed for the real-world needs of warfighters, our solutions enable faster deployment, sharper decision-making, and battlefield dominance.
