---
title: 'Software Engineer - Drone Simulator at Harmattan AI'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/software-engineer-drone-simulator-harmattan-ai-paris-x9n0sxa074w7'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-21'
---

# Software Engineer - Drone Simulator at Harmattan AI

- **Company:** [Harmattan AI](https://feeny.ai/companies/harmattan-ai)
- **Location:** Paris, France
- **Employment:** full-time
- **Work type:** onsite
- **Posted:** 2026-03-19
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-21
- **Apply:** https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/harmattan-ai/aba1497b-2815-46eb-b946-0935d8787951/application

**Skills:** C++, Python, Linux system internals, Game engines, Unreal Engine, 3D video game engines, Embedded software, GNC, Gimbal, Video processing, PX4, Ardupilot, CI/CD, API design

> Develop and maintain flight-simulation tools and features for an autonomous defense drone simulator. The role involves architectural design, pipeline integration, performance optimization, and cross-functional collaboration to support mission-critical systems.

## 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 our GNC, ML, Embedded Software, and Validation teams scale, Harmattan AI requires dedicated internal software infrastructure to accelerate development and testing. Joining the Tooling team you will be responsible for developing a "state-of-the-art" drone simulator to support our advanced autonomous defence applications. This role offers high ownership and the opportunity to work at the intersection of software engineering, simulation, and AI robotics with direct mission impact.

## Responsibilities

- Simulator Development: Design, develop, and maintain flight-simulation-related tools and features.
- Architectural Design: Define technical solutions, including architecture, APIs, and UIs, to respond to specific project needs.
- Performance Optimisation: Analyze simulator performance across various aspects and implement necessary improvements.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with GNC, ML, and Embedded teams to establish specifications for new features and ensure the tool meets user needs.
- Documentation & Standards: Write clear documentation and tutorials, and eventually mentor junior developers to standardise best practices.

Candidate Requirements

- Experience: Minimum of 3 years of professional experience in software engineering.
- Technical Proficiency: Strong software skills in C++ and Python, with a good knowledge of Linux system internals.
- Domain Expertise: Significant experience with drones or robotic systems, including practical understanding of embedded software (GNC, gimbal, video) and open-source autopilots like PX4 or Ardupilot.
- Simulation & Graphics: Experience in development with game engines (Unreal Engine preferred) or contributing to 3D video game engines (physics or visual realism).
- Educational Background: MSc or BSc in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Robotics, or a similar technical field; equivalent professional experience is equally valued.
- Leadership & Mindset:
- User Empathy: Ability to balance user feedback with technical vision to build effective R&D tools.
- Problem Solving: Proven capacity to handle complex projects, from scoping and prioritising to delivering results under evolving requirements.
- Commitment: 100% dedication to Harmattan AI’s mission and a "no-task-is-too-small" mentality in a fast-paced environment.

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

- [Program Manager](https://feeny.ai/job/program-manager-harmattan-ai-rabat-f1bwm8xf657x) — Rabat, Morocco
- [Data Annotator](https://feeny.ai/job/data-annotator-harmattan-ai-paris-2x2pwtxfyz9z) — Paris, France
- [Operations Manager](https://feeny.ai/job/operations-manager-harmattan-ai-united-arab-emirates-zyjs834esafp) — United Arab Emirates
- [Automated Testing Module Lead](https://feeny.ai/job/automated-testing-module-lead-harmattan-ai-paris-ahz311za9pyp) — Paris, France
- [Executive Assistant](https://feeny.ai/job/executive-assistant-harmattan-ai-zurich-maxpq64eez01) — Zurich, Switzerland
- [Technicien Qualité (Quality Technician)](https://feeny.ai/job/technicien-qualite-quality-technician-harmattan-ai-orly-336gystpxnj5) — Orly, France
- [Mechatronic Engineer - Automation Test Equipment](https://feeny.ai/job/mechatronic-engineer-automation-test-equipment-harmattan-ai-paris-nt6rc3dat3w6) — Paris, France
- [Production Quality Engineer Intern](https://feeny.ai/job/production-quality-engineer-intern-harmattan-ai-orly-pfmddrbpjkdm) — Orly, France
- [MEA HR Generalist](https://feeny.ai/job/mea-hr-generalist-harmattan-ai-rabat-9g2hnw1sxzss) — Rabat, Morocco
- [Embedded Software Engineer - GCS](https://feeny.ai/job/embedded-software-engineer-gcs-harmattan-ai-paris-vpmrn53kgajp) — Paris, France