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 role
As an Embedded Electrical Engineer at Harmattan AI, you will join the R&D team to design the compute modules and associated boards used across our platforms. You will own these designs end-to-end, from system architecture and schematic through layout guidance, fabrication, bring-up, and qualification. This is a high-impact role that combines demanding high-speed design work with hands-on bench work, taking hardware from a first prototype through to boards that fly.
Responsibilities
Board Design: Design SoMs, baseboards, and test boards for our compute platforms.
High-Speed Digital Design: Design around high-end application processors, covering PCIe, 10 Gb Ethernet, USB 3.x, and MIPI, managing layout constraints and signal integrity.
Power Design: Design power trees, sequencing, and conversion topologies, and verify power-up and power-down behaviour.
Design Reviews: Prepare and lead design reviews at each milestone, from block diagram to release for fabrication.
Manufacture: Work with PCB and EMS partners on stack-up, via technology, layout guidance, and cost trade-offs.
Bring Up and Qualification: Define verification test plans, troubleshoot and characterise boards, and run thermal, vibration, EMC, and ESD qualification.
Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work with the embedded software team through board bring-up, the mechanical team on form factor and thermal constraints, and validation for flight qualification.
Candidate requirements
Educational Background: MSc in electrical, computer, or a related engineering field. A PhD is a plus. A hands-on design and bring-up record matters more than the specific degree.
Experience: 5 years minimum in embedded hardware design, with boards taken from specification through bring-up and qualification into production.
Technical Expertise: High-speed design including layout constraints, signal integrity, and validation. Systems built around a processor with external memory (DDR, Flash) are carried through to a committed layout. Power trees with deliberate conversion topologies and verified power-up and power-down behaviour.
Tools: In-depth knowledge of electronic CAD tools (e.g., Altium).
Testing Proficiency: Proficiency with electronic test equipment and experience planning thermal, vibration, EMC, and ESD qualification.
Manufacturing: Experience working with fabrication and assembly partners on stack-up, via technology, and cost trade-offs.
Problem Solving: Rigorous, structured, and analytical; able to work autonomously and see a board from concept through to production.
Communication and Influence: Excellent written and verbal communication, able to present design and test results to engineers and senior stakeholders.
Additional Skills: FPGA or MPSoC design, prior work deploying AI inference on embedded targets, and UAS, drone, or defence hardware experience are strong advantages.
Commitment: 100% dedication to Harmattan AI's mission, vision, and ambitious growth plans, ready to go the extra mile to ensure operational excellence. Thrives in a fast-paced environment where priorities shift and no task is too small.
We look forward to hearing how you can help shape the future of autonomous defense systems at Harmattan AI.
Skills Required
- MSc in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or a related engineering field
- At least 5 years of embedded hardware design experience
- Experience taking boards from specification through bring-up, qualification, and production
- High-speed digital design experience, including layout constraints, signal integrity, and validation
- Experience designing processor-based systems with external DDR or Flash memory
- Experience designing power trees, conversion topologies, and power sequencing
- In-depth knowledge of electronic CAD tools such as Altium
- Proficiency with electronic test equipment
- Experience planning thermal, vibration, EMC, and ESD qualification
- Experience working with PCB fabrication and electronics manufacturing partners
- Ability to work autonomously and take boards from concept through production
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- PhD in a relevant field
- FPGA or MPSoC design experience
- Experience deploying AI inference on embedded targets
- UAS, drone, or defense hardware experience
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.
