Optical Engineer: EO/IR Imaging for Autonomous Defense

Harmattan AI; Paris; On-site; EUR 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Harmattan AI in Paris is seeking an Optical Engineer for the Gimbal team to own the optical performance of EO/IR imaging payloads, shaping current products and future designs. You will drive sizing, sensor selection, and integration with mechanical, electronics, software, and perception teams.

You will build and validate test benches, run image quality measurements (MTF, NETD), and develop calibration pipelines, while collaborating across a startup-style environment that values rigor and rapid

Qualifications

• Master’s degree or engineering degree with optics specialization.
• 3+ years experience in optical engineering for cameras or imaging systems.
• Proven ability to size electro-optical or infrared systems.
• Hands-on experience with camera calibration, MTF, NETD.
• Experience building optical test benches from design to validation.
• Solid grounding in image processing: distortion corrections.
• Experience with thermal cameras is a strong plus.
• Autonomous, rigorous, startup-ready with fast iteration.

Responsibilities

• Size and design EO/IR imaging payloads balancing FOV, resolution, range and sensor choice.
• Select lenses and sensors or lead custom optical designs against quality targets.
• Build and maintain optical test benches for development and production.
• Measure and validate image quality: MTF, focus, boresight, distortion, NETD.
• Develop the calibration pipeline with software and perception teams.
• Integrate optics into mechanical assemblies with tolerancing, athermalisation, sealing.
• Manage optical suppliers and support industrialization of lenses, sensors, and components.
• Run field tests to assess image quality in real operating conditions.

Skills

Optical engineering

Camera imaging systems

Startup experience

Autonomy and pragmatism

Education

Master’s degree in optics/engineering

Tools

Camera calibration tools

MTF measurement equipment

Thermal imaging hardware

Job description

Harmattan AI in Paris is seeking an Optical Engineer for the Gimbal team to own the optical performance of EO/IR imaging payloads, shaping current products and future designs. You will drive sizing, sensor selection, and integration with mechanical, electronics, software, and perception teams.

You will build and validate test benches, run image quality measurements (MTF, NETD), and develop calibration pipelines, while collaborating across a startup-style environment that values rigor and rapid