Mechanical Engineer - Airframe

Harmattan Ai in Lausanne seeks a mid-level Mechanical Engineer to design UAV airframe systems, taking ownership from concept to production. The role requires expertise in CAD, manufacturing, and thermal analysis, with a focus on durability, cost, and performance in extreme environments.

As a Mechanical Engineer on Harmattan AI’s Airframe team, you will design unmanned aerial vehicle platforms and subsystems in a fast-paced, autonomous environment. You will own projects from initial concept through to production, ensuring optimal performance, reliability, and manufacturability.

Responsibilities

• Design and prototype UAV platforms and complex subsystems from the ground up, balancing durability, efficiency, and performance.
• Manage system-level constraints such as thermal management, weight limits, cost targets, and environmental sealing (IP ratings).
• Collaborate with R&D teams in Electrical, Software, and Industrialisation to ensure smooth mechanical integration of sensors, payloads, and electronics.
• Perform thorough testing, including stress and failure analysis, and develop validation tools like test benches, calculation sheets, or scripts for extreme environment operations.
• Oversee delivery packages and technical specifications, ensuring precision and timely delivery under tight deadlines.
• Coordinate with suppliers and external manufacturers, focusing on plastic injection moulding and precision machining, to meet quality and schedule goals.
• Maintain accurate documentation in Confluence and through professional 2D/3D files, capturing designs, test results, and production workflows for knowledge sharing and improvement.

Requirements

• A Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience in designing and prototyping mechanical systems, preferably in UAVs, robotics, or defence applications.
• Strong proficiency in CAD software such as SolidWorks; experience with structural and thermal analysis tools (FEA) is highly beneficial.
• Solid understanding of manufacturing techniques, including high-precision machining and plastic injection moulding.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, to document technical details and lead cross-functional discussions.
• Full alignment with Harmattan AI’s mission and vision, with a commitment to operational excellence and going beyond standard expectations.

Nice to have

• Experience using structural and thermal analysis tools (FEA)

About the company

Harmattan AI is a next-generation defense prime focused on building autonomous and scalable defense systems. The company operates with a clear set of values: creating technologies with real-world impact, striving for excellence, setting ambitious goals, and tackling the most challenging technical problems. It fosters a rigorous, ownership-driven environment where execution is paramount.

• Commitment to building technologies with real-world impact
• Pursuit of excellence in all aspects of work
• Setting ambitious goals and tackling difficult technical challenges
• Expectation of rigor, ownership, and strong execution