Flight Operations Engineer

Harmattan AI; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 110,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Harmattan AI is seeking a Flight Operations Engineer to bridge our R&D lab and field operations, conducting real-world test campaigns and end-to-end deployment of autonomous defense systems. You will train end-users on complex autonomous platforms and support field validation across diverse environments.

The role combines elite piloting skills, hands-on hardware engineering, and high autonomy, with frequent international travel and collaboration across hardware, software, and systems teams.

Qualifications

• 2–5 years of experience in flight operations, flight testing or validation on aerospace or robotic systems.
• Proven track record in end-to-end assembly, integration, and maintenance of FPV, multicopters and/or fixed-wing systems.
• Understanding of flight dynamics, control systems, avionics, and RF systems.

Responsibilities

• Plan and execute real-world test campaigns to validate performance and reliability.
• Lead live flight demonstrations for defense stakeholders and end-users.
• Deliver comprehensive training programs on flight theory, mission planning, and emergency procedures.

Skills

Flight operations

Flight testing

Training delivery

Leadership

Documentation

Public speaking

System integration

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 a Flight Operations Engineer, you will be the bridge between our R&D lab and the operational field. You are responsible for the "last mile" of our technology: demonstrating capabilities to global defense partners, training end-users on complex autonomous systems, and conducting final field validation. This role requires a unique combination of elite piloting skills, hands-on hardware engineering and high degree of technical autonomy.

Responsibilities

• Test Campaigns: Plan and execute real-world test campaigns to validate performance, reliability, and edge-case behaviors of new hardware and software releases.
• Lead high-stakes live flight demonstrations for defense stakeholders, showcasing mission-specific capabilities in diverse environments.
• Deliver comprehensive training programs to ensure clients can safely and effectively operate Harmattan AI systems covering flight theory, autonomous mission planning, and emergency procedures.
• Cross-Team Collaboration: Work closely with hardware, software, and systems teams to support debugging and iteration based on test outcomes.
• Execute the deployment and the tactical logistics of autonomous systems, managing the end-to-end integration of command-and-control (C2) infrastructure and RF data links in complex, real-world environments to ensure 100% mission readiness

Candidate Requirements

• 2–5 years of experience in flight operations, flight testing or validation on aerospace or robotic systems, or embedded robotics.
• Proven track record in the end-to-end assembly, integration, and maintenance of high-performance FPV, multicopters and/or Fixed-Wing systems.
• Wide engineering culture around flight dynamics, control systems, avionics, and/or RF systems.
• Bonus: Pilot certification, experience with military or industrial drone platforms.
• Detail-oriented with excellent documentation and organizational skills.
• Strong communication and leadership skills, with the ability to motivate and guide teams toward success.
• Proven ability to simplify complex technical concepts for training and public presentations.
• Comfortable with a dynamic schedule that requires frequent international presence.

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