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 Senior Module Lead Airframe, you will initially embed within our core Airframe engineering team to take design ownership of a new large-span composite airframe platform. You then build and lead a dedicated composite engineering team based in Morocco. You own the structural design of these airframe systems from concept to production, and you are accountable for the full roadmap — scope, milestones, and trade-offs — from prototype to industrialization. This is a founding role: you shape both the product line and the team delivering it.
ResponsibilitiesCOMPOSITE STRUCTURAL DESIGN
Lead the structural design of large-span composite airframe structures, from concept through production, including laminates, joints, inserts, and tooling strategy.
Drive fast in-house composite prototyping and transition designs into series manufacturing processes.
Own system-level trade-offs across mass budget, thermal performance, and manufacturing cost.
PROJECT & ROADMAP OWNERSHIP
Define and own the airframe platform roadmap: scope, milestones, priorities, and trade-offs from prototype to production handover.
Deliver initial structural development milestones in close coordination with the core Airframe engineering team.
Oversee supplier and manufacturing partners to ensure design intent is preserved through production.
Partner closely with the core Airframe engineering team, Simulation/FEA, Industrialization, and Electrical/Software functions.
TEAM BUILDING & LEADERSHIP
Build and lead a new composite engineering team based in Morocco, from sourcing through onboarding and ramp-up.
Define team structure, hiring plan, and technical growth path as the site and product line scale.
Mentor junior engineers, setting technical standards and reviewing designs.
Master's degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering or a related field.
Senior mechanical engineer with a proven track record of taking at least one product from concept to production, ideally in UAV, robotics, or defense environments.
Strong composite structural design expertise, including hands-on carbon fabrication and prototyping experience.
Demonstrated leadership experience: has led a team, module, or significant project, ideally including building or scaling a team.
Comfortable operating both as a hands-on designer and as a people leader in a fast-paced, founding-team environment.
Strong cross-site communication skills, with the ability to coordinate closely with a remote engineering team.
Based in or willing to relocate to Morocco.
Fluency in French and English required.
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 Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering or related field
- Proven track record of taking a product from concept to production
- Experience in UAV, robotics, or defense product development
- Strong composite structural design expertise including hands-on carbon fabrication and prototyping
- Demonstrated leadership experience leading a team, module, or significant project
- Experience building or scaling an engineering team
- Ability to operate as a hands-on designer and people leader in a fast-paced environment
- Strong cross-site communication skills for coordinating with remote teams
- Based in or willing to relocate to Morocco
- Fluency in French and English
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.
