Junior Mechanical Engineer – Quadcopter Systems at Harmattan AI (Lausanne, Switzerland)Junior Mechanical Engineer – Quadcopter Systems

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.

We are seeking a high-drive, hands-on Mechanical Engineer to join our dedicated Quadcopter Airframe team in Lausanne. In this role, you will be on the front lines of designing, prototyping, and integrating next-generation multirotor hardware deployed in mission-critical environments. From day one, you’ll work directly on physical hardware—modeling custom parts in SolidWorks, building hands-on prototypes, and helping validate them for flight testing.

• Component CAD Modeling: Design and update production-ready 3D models and assemblies (motor mounts, structural brackets, battery latches, internal mounting plates) in SolidWorks under tight deadlines.
• Electromechanical Packaging: Fit electrical components, PCBs, sensors, actuators, and wire harnesses into compact quadcopter airframes without compromising serviceability or thermal routing.
• Rapid Prototyping & Bench Testing: Operate 3D printers, shop tools, and bench-test setups to physically validate and stress-test your designs before they hit the field.
• DFM & Production Documentation: Create precise 2D manufacturing drawings, define tolerances, and generate BOMs for injection molding, CNC machining, 3D printing, and sheet metal fabrication.
• Cross-Functional Execution: Collaborate closely with Electrical Engineering, Aerodynamics, Industrialisation, and Supply Chain to solve spatial packaging bottlenecks and keep hardware builds moving fast.

• Background: M.Sc. or B.Sc. (FH / HES / University of Applied Sciences) in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Aerospace or similar.
• Experience: 0–3 years of hands-on experience in mechanical engineering, robotics, or electromechanical hardware. Top performance in competitive university hardware teams (Formula Student / FSAE, robotics clubs, or UAV projects) counts directly toward experience.
• CAD Fluency: Fast, clean modeling skills in SolidWorks and a solid grasp of parametric assembly design.
• Hands-on DFM Grounding: Practical understanding of real manufacturing constraints (tolerances, draft angles, tool access) for CNC machined parts, 3D printing, and plastic enclosures.
• High Drive & Ownership: High ownership, responsiveness, and a proactive mindset—someone who naturally favors quick action, takes full responsibility for their tasks, and unblocks themselves when faced with tight deadlines.

• 10x Execution Speed: Experience rapid engineering cycles where you model in CAD, print a prototype the same afternoon, test on the bench, and iterate immediately. You will gain years of practical hardware experience in your first 12 months.
• Broad Cross-Functional Exposure: Work directly alongside top senior engineers across mechanical, electrical, aerodynamic, and production disciplines to master full-system drone hardware integration.
• Direct Mission Impact: Your work directly supports hardware deployed with allied forces to solve critical defense challenges.

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