Lethality Engineer

Harmattan AI; Vaud; On-site; CHF 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Harmattan AI in Vaud, Switzerland, seeks a Lethality Engineer in R&D to own mechanical architectures from concept to production. You will run nonlinear simulations, design housings and assemblies, and define test specs to validate performance under extreme conditions.

Join a team delivering mission-critical defense systems, working hands-on from day one, and interfacing with cross-functional groups to ensure robust, manufacturable hardware.

Qualifications

• B.Sc./M.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Applied Physics or a related technical discipline.
• Hands-on experience with non-linear explicit finite element analysis for dynamic loading, impact and material failure.
• Solid understanding of structural mechanics, tolerance stack-ups, thermal dissipation and dynamic load transfer.
• Practical experience setting up, running and analyzing physical prototype tests, in the lab or in the field.
• Proficiency in CAD for complex assemblies and drafting, with knowledge of CNC machining, additive manufacturing or injection molding.
• Ownership mindset: you take full responsibility for hardware deliverables and balance analysis rigor with project timelines.

Responsibilities

• Run non-linear explicit finite element simulations to predict structural, impact and vibration behavior in extreme environments.
• Design and maintain CAD models of housings, mechanisms and assemblies, and release technical drawings for production.
• Write R&D test specifications for environmental, drop, structural and shock testing.
• Set up and run lab and range tests, then analyze sensor data to validate simulation accuracy.
• Advise multidisciplinary engineering teams on physical constraints, spatial layout and mechanical integration.
• Conduct system-level hazard and safety assessments on critical mechanical mechanisms and interfaces.
• Document hardware performance guidelines, support first-production validation and optimize designs for manufacturing.
• Provide technical support during end-user demos and customer engagements.

Skills

Non-linear explicit finite element分析

Dynamic loading

Structural mechanics

Tolerance stack-ups

Thermal dissipation

Prototype testing

CAD drafting

Ownership mindset

Education

B.Sc./M.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or 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.

About The Role

As Lethality Engineer in R&D, you own the design, numerical simulation and physical validation of specialized mechanical and electromechanical structures. You turn demanding operational requirements into hardware that performs, from early concept through production and delivery. You work hands-on from day one, owning mechanical architectures and physical assemblies end to end.

Responsibilities

• Run non-linear explicit finite element simulations to predict structural, impact and vibration behavior in extreme environments.
• Design and maintain CAD models of housings, mechanisms and assemblies, and release technical drawings for production.
• Write R&D test specifications for environmental, drop, structural and shock testing.
• Set up and run lab and range tests, then analyze sensor data to validate simulation accuracy.
• Advise multidisciplinary engineering teams on physical constraints, spatial layout and mechanical integration.
• Conduct system-level hazard and safety assessments on critical mechanical mechanisms and interfaces.
• Document hardware performance guidelines, support first-production validation and optimize designs for manufacturing.
• Provide technical support during end-user demos and customer engagements.

Candidate Requirements

• B.Sc. or M.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Applied Physics or a related technical discipline.
• Hands-on experience with non-linear explicit finite element analysis for dynamic loading, impact and material failure.
• Solid understanding of structural mechanics, tolerance stack-ups, thermal dissipation and dynamic load transfer.
• Practical experience setting up, running and analyzing physical prototype tests, in the lab or in the field.
• Proficiency in CAD for complex assemblies and drafting, with knowledge of CNC machining, additive manufacturing or injection molding.
• Ownership mindset: you take full responsibility for hardware deliverables and balance analysis rigor 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.