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 RoleAs Lead Warhead Engineer at Harmattan AI, you will be the technical authority for all warhead developments related to Harmattan’s products, arbitrating design trade-offs across energetics, safety and arming, mechanical integration and testing. You will act as the primary interface between the warhead team and program & product, operations and customer stakeholders. You will shape the engineering standards, the supplier base and the development approach that will allow Harmattan to design, qualify, manufacture and scale warheads at a pace the traditional ecosystem cannot match.
ResponsibilitiesTechnical Leadership: Own the warhead architecture and design trade-offs across all developments; arbitrate technical decisions between energetics, electronics & safety, mechanical, and test disciplines, from requirement to manufactured product; define engineering standards and design review practices.
Supply Chain Design: Define and build the warhead supply chain (energetic materials, loading, machining, test capacity) with scalability as a design requirement from day one.
Program Interface: Act as the warhead authority towards program, product and customers; translate mission and effectiveness requirements into warhead specifications and development plans.
Development Oversight: Drive developments from concept through design, testing, qualification and industrialization on cycles measured in days and months; manage timelines, risks and technical maturity at each milestone.
Compliance and Safety: Ensure compliance with pyrotechnic regulations of our customers’ countries and applicable NATO safety and qualification standards (MIL-STD, STANAG) throughout the product lifecycle.
Ecosystem Relations: Build and manage relationships with test centers, energetic materials suppliers and industrial partners.
Master's degree or PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Energetics, Physics or a related field, with at least 10 years of experience in warhead or munitions development.
Deep knowledge of the munitions ecosystem: ex. DGA, prime contractors, state test centers and the applicable regulatory framework.
Proven track record of leading warhead or munitions developments through qualification and into serial production.
Strong knowledge of NATO safety and qualification standards (MIL-STD, STANAG) for munitions.
Experience across several warhead architectures is highly desirable.
Demonstrated ability to arbitrate complex technical trade-offs under schedule pressure and to defend decisions towards programs and customers.
Strong leadership and communication skills, with experience building or managing engineering teams.
Eligibility for French national security clearance.
We look forward to hearing how you can help shape the future of autonomous defense systems at Harmattan AI.
Skills Required
- Master's degree or PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Energetics, Physics, or a related field
- At least 10 years of experience in warhead or munitions development
- Deep knowledge of the munitions ecosystem, including DGA, prime contractors, state test centers, and applicable regulations
- Track record leading warhead or munitions developments through qualification and into serial production
- Strong knowledge of NATO safety and qualification standards, including MIL-STD and STANAG
- Experience across several warhead architectures
- Ability to arbitrate complex technical trade-offs under schedule pressure and defend decisions to programs and customers
- Strong leadership and communication skills, including experience building or managing engineering teams
- Eligibility for French national security clearance
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.
