Harmattan AI

RF Test & Validation Engineer at Harmattan AI (Paris, France)

Harmattan AI· Paris, France·

Role details

Work type
Onsite
Employment
Full-Time

Harmattan AI at a glance

France's first defense-tech unicorn, building attritable AI-piloted strike, interception, and ISR drones for allied militaries.

Harmattan AI is a vertically integrated defense prime building autonomous drone systems for allied militaries. It designs the full stack, from airframes and payloads to embedded compute and the autonomy algorithms that let drones sense, decide, and act at the edge without GPS or a network link, coordinated across a swarm by its mission-orchestration layer.

$242M raised · latest: Series B · $200M · January 2026 · backed by Dassault Aviation, FirstMark Capital, Atlantic, Motier Ventures

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 RF Test & Validation Engineer, you own the characterization and validation of Harmattan’s in-house radio, from boards to integrated systems. You take RF measurement work off the designers’ plate and turn it into a repeatable, automated discipline: setups, measurements, and clear results fed back to the design team. You also keep the RF lab in working order as test capacity grows. You work primarily within the Radio team, with occasional exposure to other RF-based teams.

Responsibilities

  • Run RF characterization and validation of radio boards and integrated radio systems.
  • Build and maintain automated RF test benches, including interconnects, harnesses, and fixtures.
  • Develop reusable Python suites for instrument control and data capture across standard RF measurements.
  • Perform pre-compliance and compliance-support measurements, including EMC and thermal testing.
  • Test antennas, both standalone and integrated on systems.
  • Support the integration of the radio on our systems.
  • Analyze results, flag anomalies, and deliver clear, structured reports to RF designers.
  • Own the RF lab: track calibration, manage fixtures and accessories, and identify equipment gaps.
  • Support team members who are less experienced in RF testing.

Candidate Requirements

  • Hands-on experience running RF characterization with VNA, spectrum analyzer, signal generator, power meter, AWG, and oscilloscope.
  • Solid grasp of standard measurements such as S-parameters, P1dB, IIP3, sensitivity, and spurious.
  • Experience building reusable test automation, Python preferred.
  • Skilled in fine-pitch SMD and coaxial-cable rework on RF boards.
  • Careful around input-power damage thresholds, protecting both instruments and devices under test.
  • Rigorous and perceptive: interprets results before reporting and spots anomalies early.
  • Writes clear, structured reports.
  • Keeps a shared lab tidy and works well alongside designers.

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

Why work at Harmattan AI

  • 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
  • Values: Tackle the hardest problems, build what matters, move at the speed of relevance, and aim to redefine frontiers. harmattan.ai
  • 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
  • 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.

Application questions