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 Software Engineer on the Launcher team, you will take full ownership of the firmware architecture for our next-generation hardware products, including field-deployable launchers, ruggedized drone controllers, and long-range RF systems. Operating in resource-constrained MCU environments, you will work hand-in-hand with hardware and mechanical engineers to take products from initial board bring-up all the way through to production-ready field deployment. This role offers a fast-paced environment with high autonomy, no heavy bureaucracy, and a direct, fast feedback loop between design and real-world deployment.
Responsibilities
Firmware Architecture & Design: Design robust firmware architecture for mixed real-time and control workloads on MCUs using both bare-metal and RTOS environments. Define toolchains and coding standards across multiple products.
Driver & Protocol Development: Write and maintain low-level drivers for peripherals, sensors, RF modules, and power-management ICs. Implement and debug communication protocols including SPI, I2C, UART, USB, CAN, and RF link protocols.
Real-Time Control: Implement deterministic real-time control loops and manage interrupts, timing, and scheduling.
Hardware Bring-up & Debugging: Partner daily with the hardware engineer on board bring-up. Debug systems using oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and JTAG/SWD debuggers, writing custom bring-up and test scripts when needed.
Production Maturity & Testing: Own the prototype-to-production firmware maturity path. Build unit tests, hardware-in-the-loop (HITL) testing, and automated test benches to meet test coverage and reliability targets.
Lifecycle & Security: Develop secure bootloaders and robust, reliable over-the-air (OTA) firmware update mechanisms for assets deployed in harsh environments.
Cross-Functional Collaboration: Align with Mission Application Developers on telemetry, command, and control interface requirements , and collaborate with Mechanical Engineers on integration, thermal regulation, and shielding constraints.
Requirements
Education: Master’s degree in Electrical/Computer Engineering, Embedded Systems, Computer Science, or an equivalent technical field.
Experience: 2 to 10+ years of experience (Junior to Senior levels) in embedded software development.
Production Track Record: Proven experience taking at least one complete embedded product from initial prototype to mass production.
Core Technical Skills: Proficient in Embedded C/C++ with strong foundations in bare-metal and RTOS development (e.g., FreeRTOS, Zephyr, or equivalent) on MCUs, typically ARM Cortex-M.
Hardware & Protocols: Deep understanding of MCU peripherals, communication buses (SPI, I2C, UART, USB, CAN), and hands-on laboratory debugging equipment (oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, JTAG/SWD).
Software Practices: Strong discipline in version control, CI/CD pipelines, and automated firmware test methodologies.
Mindset: A rigorous, autonomous, and pragmatic professional who balances clean code and thorough validation with delivery speed.
Bonus Points
Experience developing drone, UAV, remote control, or radio communication firmware.
Experience designing RF link or wireless protocol firmware.
Background working with ruggedized, military, or industrial-grade systems.
Professional familiarity with Rust.
We look forward to hearing how you can help shape the future of autonomous defense systems at Harmattan AI.
Skills Required
- Master's degree in Electrical/Computer Engineering, Embedded Systems, Computer Science, or equivalent technical field.
- 2 to 10+ years of experience in embedded software development.
- Proven experience taking at least one embedded product from prototype to mass production.
- Proficient in Embedded C and C++.
- Experience with bare-metal and RTOS development (e.g., FreeRTOS, Zephyr) on ARM Cortex-M MCUs.
- Deep understanding of MCU peripherals and communication buses (SPI, I2C, UART, USB, CAN).
- Hands-on use of lab debugging equipment (oscilloscopes, logic analyzers) and JTAG/SWD debuggers.
- Strong discipline in version control, CI/CD pipelines, and automated firmware test methodologies.
- Experience implementing deterministic real-time control loops, interrupt handling, timing, and scheduling.
- Experience developing secure bootloaders and over-the-air (OTA) firmware update mechanisms.
- Ownership of prototype-to-production firmware maturity path, including unit tests and HITL/automated test benches.
- Rigorous, autonomous, pragmatic professional mindset balancing clean code and delivery speed.
- Experience developing drone, UAV, remote control, or radio communication firmware.
- Experience designing RF link or wireless protocol firmware.
- Background working with ruggedized, military, or industrial-grade systems.
- Professional familiarity with Rust.
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.
