Senior Mechanical Engineer – Quadcopter Systems

Harmattan AI seeks a Senior Mechanical Engineer in Lausanne to lead the mechanical architecture of flagship quadcopter systems, from design through production.

This position is part of the dedicated Quadcopter Airframe team based in Lausanne. The engineer will take full responsibility for the mechanical architecture of flagship multirotor platforms, handling complex assemblies, resolving thermal and vibration issues, and guiding components from concept to manufacturing.

Responsibilities

• Direct the mechanical design and modeling of lightweight structures, including fuselages, chassis, motor mounts, and quick-release mechanisms using SolidWorks.
• Create spatial layouts and enclosure designs to tightly integrate electrical components within custom airframe volumes.
• Construct functional prototypes and conduct hands-on lab validation, such as vibrational testing, modal analysis, thermal chamber runs, drop testing, and supporting flight tests.
• Execute structural (FEA), modal, and thermal simulations, alongside tolerance stack-up analyses.
• Collaborate with Industrialisation, Procurement, and suppliers to optimize parts for plastic injection molding, CNC machining, sheet metal, and additive manufacturing.
• Assist Industrialisation engineers in defining assembly sequences, designing build jigs and fixtures, and training production operators.

Requirements

• B.Sc. or M.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering or a related technical discipline from a University or University of Applied Sciences.
• At least 4 years of hands-on experience in UAV design and development, specifically with physical drone airframes, multirotors, or flight hardware.
• Alternatively, 6+ years of mechanical engineering experience in complex Robotics, Autonomous Systems, or high-density Electromechanical hardware.
• Proven ability to take complex electromechanical assemblies from CAD concepts through functional prototypes to finished, physical production hardware.
• Practical design experience for plastic injection molding, CNC machining, sheet metal, and 3D printing, with direct supplier collaboration experience.
• Demonstrated skill in managing real-world physical constraints including structural rigidity, heat dissipation, and vibration isolation.

What the company offers

• Complete system ownership of the mechanical architecture of flagship quadcopter platforms.
• Unmatched execution speed moving from CAD design to physical shop-floor testing in days.
• Direct mission impact designing hardware that actively deploys with allied forces.
• Cross-functional mastery working side-by-side with Electrical, Aerodynamics, Gimbal, and Production teams.

About the company

Harmattan AI is a next-generation defense prime building autonomous and scalable defense systems. The company is guided by values of building technologies with real-world impact, pursuing excellence, setting ambitious goals, and taking on the hardest technical challenges. The environment is demanding where rigor, ownership, and execution are expected.

• Building technologies with real-world impact.
• Pursuing excellence and setting ambitious goals.
• Taking on the hardest technical challenges.
• A demanding environment where rigor, ownership, and execution are expected.