System Engineer

About this role

About Us 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 Engineer , you will own the architecture, system definition and implementation of one of our robotic systems — from concept to field deployment. You will work hand-in-hand with project managers and technical leads to translate mission needs into system-level designs, coordinate multidisciplinary engineering teams, and ensure overall system performance, robustness, and reliability.

Responsibilities System Architecture : Transform system requirements into architectures solutions. Technical Coordination : Lead cross-functional design across mechanical, electrical, software, GNC, and ML teams. Trade-Off & Design Analysis : Conduct feasibility studies, trade-off analyses, and system-level simulations to guide technical choices. Integration & Validation : Oversee system integration, prototyping, and validation, ensuring performance targets are achieved.

System Reviews : Drive design and architecture reviews, maintaining consistency between requirements, design, and testing. Continuous Improvement : Implement processes to enhance requirements traceability, system documentation, and validation workflows. Candidate Requirements 5+ years of experience in system engineering within robotics, aerospace, or defense sectors. MSc in Engineering (any field); PhD is a plus. Proven experience leading full system lifecycles (concept → prototype → validation).

Strong background in system architecture, requirements engineering, and trade-off analysis. Broad engineering culture with understanding of mechanical, electrical, and embedded systems. Experience coordinating multi-disciplinary teams and managing technical interfaces. Rigorous, structured, and mission-driven mindset with strong analytical skills. Excellent communication and documentation abilities. Bonus: Experience with UAS or defense systems.