---
title: 'FPGA Engineer - Radio & Communications at Harmattan AI'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/fpga-engineer-radio-communications-harmattan-ai-paris-ymq2egxc52ak'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-07'
---

# FPGA Engineer - Radio & Communications at Harmattan AI

- **Company:** [Harmattan AI](https://feeny.ai/companies/harmattan-ai)
- **Location:** Paris, France
- **Employment:** full-time
- **Work type:** onsite
- **Posted:** 2026-03-17
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-07
- **Apply:** https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/harmattan-ai/8792f059-05c7-477a-8c3b-2aca0c1bf2d8/application

> Design and implement low-latency FPGA-based communications pipelines for drone-to-ground station links. The role involves end-to-end ownership of the RF signal-processing pipeline, including architecture, RTL implementation, simulation, and deployment, while collaborating with hardware and embedded software teams.

## 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 an FPGA Radio Engineer, you will be responsible for designing and implementing the communications link between our drones and ground stations. You will work closely with our hardware and embedded software teams, taking full end-to-end ownership of the RF signal-processing pipeline - from early architecture through to production-ready deployment. This role is ideal for a highly autonomous engineer who is comfortable making system-level decisions and driving them forward in a fast-paced, demanding environment.

## RESPONSIBILITIES

- Lead the architecture and design of low-latency FPGA-based communications pipelines, spanning the entire signal chain: modulation/demodulation (e.g., OFDM, QAM), FFT, channel coding and decoding (e.g., LDPC, Turbo, Viterbi), synchronization, equalization, and link adaptation.
- Own the complete FPGA development cycle, from feasibility assessment and architectural decisions to RTL implementation, simulation, verification, and deployment of robust, production-ready designs.
- Conduct system-level link budget analysis, waveform simulations, and performance modeling to validate design choices and assess real-world performance under noise, interference, and multipath conditions.
- Design and maintain comprehensive testbenches and validation frameworks for complex DSP pipelines, including hardware-in-the-loop testing with real RF front-ends.
- Work closely with RF hardware engineers to ensure seamless integration between FPGA designs and the analog front-end (ADC/DAC interfaces, AGC, frequency planning).
- Evaluate and select FPGA platforms, IP cores, and toolchains based on project constraints such as latency, throughput, power consumption, and long-term scalability.
- Define and document clear, well-specified interfaces between the FPGA, embedded software, and hardware layers.

## CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS

- Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Electrical Engineering, Signal Processing, Telecommunications, or a related field.
- Over 5 years of hands-on FPGA development experience, including end-to-end ownership using VHDL and/or Verilog/SystemVerilog.
- Strong foundation in digital communications and signal processing, grounded in first principles.
- Solid understanding of the RF signal chain and its impact on digital design, including ADC/DAC interfaces, IQ imbalance, phase noise, dynamic range, sampling, and filtering.
- Experience working in low-latency, real-time environments with strict resource constraints, making informed trade-offs among latency, precision, power consumption, and logic utilization.
- Familiar with link budget analysis, waveform design, and system-level simulation tools.
- Comfortable working autonomously, taking full technical ownership, and communicating effectively across hardware, software, and systems teams.
- Fully dedicated to Harmattan AI’s mission, vision, and ambitious growth objectives, always prepared to go the extra mile to ensure operational excellence.

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

## About Harmattan AI

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Harmattan AI builds autonomous defense systems—including strike and surveillance drones—using AI-driven autonomy and real-time intelligence for allied forces.
- **Entity Type**: Private (Series B, unicorn status)
- **Headquarters**: Paris, France
- **Founded**: 2024
- **Founders**: Mouad M’Ghari (CEO & Co‑founder)

## Core Business
- **Primary industry**: Defense & autonomous systems
- **Target customers**: B2G – NATO member states, ministries of defence (UK, France, and others)
- **Mission**: Deliver scalable, sovereign AI capabilities to allied forces by building mission‑ready autonomous systems that respond in real time, adapt under pressure, and deliver an edge in contested environments. [harmattan.ai](https://harmattan.ai/)

## Products & Services
- **Platform Autonomy**: AI‑driven autonomy layer for drones, enabling real‑time decision‑making and adaptation.
- **Mission Orchestration**: Software for coordinating multiple autonomous assets (e.g., collaborative air combat).
- **Precision Strike**: Attritable strike drones with embedded AI for target engagement.
- **VSHORAD (Very Short‑Range Air Defence)**: Counter‑drone interception systems.
- **Persistent ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance)**: Autonomous surveillance platforms for continuous battlefield awareness.
- **Electronic Warfare Platforms**: Systems for electronic attack and protection. [harmattan.ai](https://harmattan.ai/)

## Market Standing
- **Valuation**: $1.4 billion (as of January 2026, after Series B). [tech.eu](https://tech.eu/2026/01/12/french-startup-harmattan-ai-hits-unicorn-status-as-it-strikes-deal-with-french-aerospace-group/)
- **Key Metric**: Total funding ~$240 million ($200 M Series B led by Dassault Aviation + over $40 M prior). [tech.eu](https://tech.eu/2026/01/12/french-startup-harmattan-ai-hits-unicorn-status-as-it-strikes-deal-with-french-aerospace-group/)
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: Dassault Aviation (lead investor & strategic partner), multiple NATO allies as customers.
- **Growth Signals**:
  - Achieved unicorn status within two years of founding.
  - Awarded several “programs of record” by UK and French Ministries of Defence. [tech.eu](https://tech.eu/2026/01/12/french-startup-harmattan-ai-hits-unicorn-status-as-it-strikes-deal-with-french-aerospace-group/)
  - Scaling industrial manufacturing of drone interception and electronic warfare platforms.
  - Headcount grew to 131 employees (Built In estimate). [builtin.com](https://builtin.com/company/harmattan-ai)

## Competitive Advantages
- **Two‑layer autonomy model**: Combines platform‑level AI with mission‑orchestration software for coordinated, scalable autonomous forces.
- **Sovereign AI**: Focus on delivering non‑dependent capabilities to allied nations, differentiating from US‑centric primes.
- **Attritable systems**: Cost‑effective, expendable drones that enable mass deployment without prohibitive losses.
- **Speed to relevance**: Claims rapid iteration and deployment cycles, with conflict‑ready production. [harmattan.ai](https://harmattan.ai/)

## Strategic Focus
- Expand product offering into new operational domains (e.g., collaborative air combat with Dassault Aviation).
- Scale industrial manufacturing of drone interception, electronic warfare, and ISR platforms.
- Deepen integration of embedded AI into next‑generation air combat systems (future combat air systems). [tech.eu](https://tech.eu/2026/01/12/french-startup-harmattan-ai-hits-unicorn-status-as-it-strikes-deal-with-french-aerospace-group/)

## Why Work Here
- **Culture**: “Elite builders” who “thrive on complexity, move with urgency, and own their work end to end.” Emphasis on purpose, technical excellence, and real‑world impact. [harmattan.ai](https://harmattan.ai/careers/)
- **Values**: Tackle the hardest problems, build what matters, move at the speed of relevance, and aim to redefine frontiers. [harmattan.ai](https://harmattan.ai/careers/)
- **Work policy**: Hybrid model with a mix of remote and on‑site; many roles are in‑office at locations in Paris, Lausanne, London, Arlington (TX), Wissous, Poland, UAE, and Morocco. [builtin.com](https://builtin.com/company/harmattan-ai)
- **Engineering culture**: Hands‑on development of mission‑critical autonomous systems; strong R&D focus across AI, computer vision, RF hardware, propulsion, and mission planning.
- **Perks**: Not explicitly listed, but the company highlights the opportunity to protect front‑line personnel and shape the future of autonomous defence.

## Sources
1. [harmattan.ai](https://harmattan.ai/)
2. [harmattan.ai/careers](https://harmattan.ai/careers/)
3. [harmattan.ai/open-roles](https://harmattan.ai/open-roles)
4. [builtin.com](https://builtin.com/company/harmattan-ai)
5. [tech.eu](https://tech.eu/2026/01/12/french-startup-harmattan-ai-hits-unicorn-status-as-it-strikes-deal-with-french-aerospace-group/)

## Other roles at Harmattan AI

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- [Product Operations Intern](https://feeny.ai/job/product-operations-intern-harmattan-ai-paris-598y5hqzq0v7) — Paris, France
- [Embedded Electrical Engineer - SoM](https://feeny.ai/job/embedded-electrical-engineer-som-harmattan-ai-paris-4kfy8a0s9nsw) — Paris, France
- [Software Engineer - Gimbal](https://feeny.ai/job/software-engineer-gimbal-harmattan-ai-paris-964y8cys7ssa) — Paris, France
- [Forward Deployed Software Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/forward-deployed-software-engineer-harmattan-ai-paris-t3v3brcs9b32) — Paris, France
- [Drone System Validation Technician and Pilot](https://feeny.ai/job/drone-system-validation-technician-and-pilot-harmattan-ai-rabat-z2eczm57bd4w) — Rabat, Morocco
- [Validation Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/validation-engineer-harmattan-ai-rabat-j6rf9bn7tje4) — Rabat, Morocco
- [Flight Operations Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/flight-operations-engineer-harmattan-ai-rabat-m3nxbfykp8at) — Rabat, Morocco