Director of UAS Engineering & Production

Harmattan AI; Paris; On-site; EUR 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Harmattan AI in Paris is seeking a Director of Engineering for UAS Development to build and lead an engineering organisation from the ground up. You will own the full technical chain, oversee airframe, propulsion, avionics, launcher and ground systems, and drive milestones through qualification and into production.

You will hire and mentor leaders, run regular design reviews, manage projects, and develop a robust supplier ecosystem to sustain a scalable defence platform.

Qualifications

• An MSc in Mechanical, Aerospace, Electrical or a related engineering field.
• Proven leadership: an engineer who moved into management and then managing managers.
• 10+ years of experience, with at least 4 in engineering management.
• Track record of taking a hardware system through qualification to series production, UAV/ autonomous systems.
• Technical engagement across all disciplines with credible positions on cross-module questions.
• 100% dedication to Harmattan AI's mission of autonomous defence systems.

Responsibilities

• Organisation Building: Stand up the engineering group including hiring key engineering roles.
• Project Management: Deliver key milestones as project manager.
• Technical Ownership: Own the full chain across airframe, propulsion, avionics, launcher and ground segment to flight test.
• People Management & Mentorship: Manage managers and run regular design reviews across disciplines.
• Supplier Ecosystem: Develop a supplier base.

Skills

Leadership

Engineering management

Project management

Technical engagement

Education

MSc in Mechanical, Aerospace, Electrical or related engineering

Job description

Harmattan AI in Paris is seeking a Director of Engineering for UAS Development to build and lead an engineering organisation from the ground up. You will own the full technical chain, oversee airframe, propulsion, avionics, launcher and ground systems, and drive milestones through qualification and into production.

You will hire and mentor leaders, run regular design reviews, manage projects, and develop a robust supplier ecosystem to sustain a scalable defence platform.