Mechanical Engineer

Harmattan AI, a next-generation defense company, seeks a mid-level Mechanical Engineer in Lausanne to design and prototype UAV platforms and subsystems. The role requires ownership from concept to production, with focus on performance, manufacturability, and reliability in extreme environments.

This position is part of Harmattan AI’s Airframe team, responsible for designing unmanned aerial vehicle platforms and subsystems in a fast-paced, autonomous environment. The engineer 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 (mass budget), cost (COGS), 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 tools like test benches, calculation sheets, or scripts to validate designs for extreme conditions.
• Manage delivery packages and technical specifications with precision, meeting or exceeding requirements under tight deadlines.
• Oversee manufacturing by working directly with suppliers and external manufacturers, focusing on plastic injection moulding and precision machining to ensure quality and schedule adherence.
• Maintain accurate documentation in Confluence and through professional 2D/3D files, ensuring all designs, test results, and production workflows are clearly recorded 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.
• Proficiency in CAD software such as SolidWorks; experience with structural and thermal analysis tools (FEA) is highly beneficial.
• Solid understanding of manufacturing processes, including high-precision machining and plastic injection moulding.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, capable of clearly documenting technical concepts and leading cross-functional discussions.
• Full commitment to Harmattan AI’s mission, vision, and growth, with a drive to achieve operational excellence.

Nice to have

• Experience using structural and thermal analysis tools (FEA).

About the company

Harmattан AI is a next-generation defense prime developing autonomous and scalable defense systems. Following a $200M Series B funding round, the company is valued at $1.4 billion and is expanding its teams and capabilities. It emphasizes real-world impact, excellence, ambitious goals, and tackling the most challenging technical problems in a rigorous, high-performance environment.

• Focus on building technologies with real-world impact.
• Commitment to excellence and setting ambitious technical goals.
• Encouragement to tackle the hardest technical challenges.
• Expectation of rigor, ownership, and execution in a demanding environment.