Design & Simulation Engineer

Harmattan AI; Vaud; On-site; CHF 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

High-impact projects

Hands-on hardware design exposure

Cross-functional team collaboration

Job summary

Harmattan AI in Lausanne seeks a hands-on Senior Mechanical Engineer to own end-to-end mechanical design, simulations, and validation of complex assemblies for mission-critical systems.

You will run non-linear FEA, develop high-precision CAD models, and lead lab tests from prototype to production, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams across the program.

Qualifications

• BSc/MSc in Mechanical, Aerospace, or Applied Physics.
• Hands-on experience with non-linear explicit FEA for high-velocity events.
• Strong understanding of structural mechanics and tolerances.
• Experience in physical prototyping, labs, and tests.

Responsibilities

• Run non-linear explicit finite element simulations for structural integrity and extreme environments.
• Create and maintain CAD models, assemblies and drawings for production.
• Write R&D test specs and manage lab setups and sensor data.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams on constraints and integration.
• Perform hazard analyses and safety evaluations for mechanical systems.
• Support production validation and field deployments.

Skills

Non-linear FEA

High-velocity dynamics

Dynamic loading

Shock modeling

Hardware integration

Education

B.Sc. Mechanical Engineering

M.Sc. Mechanical Engineering

B.Sc. Aerospace Engineering

B.Sc./M.Sc. Applied Physics

Tools

CAD software

CNC machining

Additive manufacturing

Injection molding

Job description

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.

The Role

We are looking for a hands-on Senior Mechanical Engineer to join our engineering team in Lausanne. You will handle the end-to-end design, numerical simulation, and physical validation of specialised mechanical and electromechanical structures to optimize system performance and match hardware capabilities to demanding operational requirements.

From day one, you will take ownership of mechanical architectures and physical assemblies. You will run non-linear explicit finite element simulations, build high-precision CAD models, set up lab and range tests, and see designs through to production and final delivery.

What You Will Do

• Structural & Dynamics Simulation: Run non-linear explicit finite element simulations to build predictive models for structural integrity, dynamic impact, vibration response, and high-velocity mechanical behavior against extreme physical operational environments.
• CAD Design & Drafting: Create and maintain complex CAD models, structural housings, mechanisms, and technical drawings for production release.
• Empirical Testing & Data Capture: Write R&D test specifications for environmental, drop, structural, and shock testing. Source specialized testing equipment, manage range and lab setups, and analyze sensor data to validate simulation accuracy.
• Cross-Functional Integration: Work directly with multidisciplinary engineering teams to advise on physical constraints, payload optimization, spatial layouts, and mechanical integration parameters.
• Safety & Hazard Assessments: Conduct system-level hazard analyses and safety evaluations for critical mechanical mechanisms and energetic system interfaces.
• Production & Field Support: Document hardware performance guidelines, assist with first-production validation, optimize designs for manufacturing processes, and provide technical support during end-user demos and customer engagements.

What We Are Looking For

• Background: B.Sc . or M.Sc . in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Applied Physics, or a related technical discipline.
• Simulation Expertise: Hands-on experience with non-linear explicit finite element analysis applied to high-velocity mechanical impact, dynamic loading, shock waves, and material failure models.
• Mechanical Systems Knowledge: Deep understanding of mechanical hardware, structural mechanics, tolerance stack-ups, thermal dissipation, and dynamic load transfer.
• R&D Range & Lab Testing: Practical experience setting up, executing, and analyzing data from physical prototype testing, environmental chambers, dynamic test tracks, or field evaluation programs.
• CAD & Manufacturing: Solid proficiency in standard CAD software for complex assembly design, mechanical drafting, and manufacturing processes like CNC machining, additive manufacturing, or injection molding.
• Drive & Ownership: Practical problem-solver who takes full responsibility for hardware deliverables and balances physical analysis with project timelines.

What We Offer

• Direct exposure to high-performance mechanical design from early concepts through physical deployment.
• Regular opportunities to test and validate hardware in realistic operational test environments.
• Involvement with cross-functional technical teams and external stakeholders deploying mission-critical systems.

We look forward to hearing how you can help shape the future of autonomous defense systems at Harmattan AI.