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 a System Architect, you will own the end-to-end architecture, system definition, and strategic implementation for our entire portfolio of robotic systems, from long-term vision to field deployment, collaborating closely with executive leadership and technical leads, and forming a critical partnership with the Product Manager to ensure efficiency; this pivotal role drives strategic programs like Anti-drone warfare, ISR and strike systems, Equipment fusion (especially aeronautics), or C2 and IA.
Responsibilities
System-of-Systems Design & Strategy: Translate complex strategic goals into global, system-of-systems designs, defining and championing the overall system architecture strategy across the enterprise.
Architectural Sizing & Verification: Ensure all systems meet defined needs and are correctly sized through rigorous verification of scope, complex system-of-systems simulations, and precise system sizing, guiding major technical investments.
Coordination and Technical Leadership: Coordinate large multidisciplinary engineering organizations, providing overarching technical leadership across cross-functional design efforts (mechanical, electrical, software, GNC, ML, product), ensuring long-term performance, robustness, and strategic reliability across the enterprise.
Specification & Integration Governance: Govern system integration standards and validation processes, contributing to the complex process of specification management by ensuring all architectural prerequisites are met and driving multi-system architecture reviews for enterprise design consistency.
Continuous Improvement: Implement and institutionalize processes to enhance requirements traceability, system documentation standards, and validation workflows across the entire engineering organization.
Candidate Requirements
10+ years of experience in system engineering or architecture, with significant time in a senior or lead role.
MSc in Engineering (any field); PhD is a plus.
Specific Domain: Experience in the defense sector is mandatory, and drones are a big plus.
Strong knowledge in one of those specializations:
C2 (Command and Control) & AI
ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance)
Strike UAV, loitering munitions
Anti-drone warfare
UAV equipments & fusion
Expert in defining and leading the full lifecycle of complex, multi-system and system-of-systems architectures.
Strategic, analytical, and mission-driven with expertise in strategic requirements engineering and high-level trade-off analysis.
Deep engineering understanding across mechanical, electrical, embedded, and enterprise software systems.
Experience coordinating large, multi-disciplinary engineering organizations and managing complex technical/strategic interfaces.
Exceptional communication, presentation, and technical documentation skills for both technical and executive audiences.
We look forward to hearing how you can help shape the future of autonomous defense systems at Harmattan AI.
Skills Required
- 10+ years experience in systems engineering or architecture
- MSc in Engineering
- PhD in Engineering
- Experience in the defense sector
- Experience with drones/UAVs (big plus)
- Strong knowledge in one of the following specializations: C2 & AI; ISR; Strike UAV/loitering munitions; Anti-drone warfare; UAV equipment & fusion
- Expertise defining and leading full lifecycle of complex multi-system and system-of-systems architectures
- Strategic requirements engineering and high-level trade-off analysis
- Deep engineering understanding across mechanical, electrical, embedded, and enterprise software systems
- Experience coordinating large, multidisciplinary engineering organizations
- Exceptional communication, presentation, and technical documentation skills for technical and executive audiences
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.
