---
title: 'Software Engineer at Harmattan AI'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/software-engineer-harmattan-ai-paris-nzhwz07wehpe'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-21'
---

# Software Engineer at Harmattan AI

- **Company:** [Harmattan AI](https://feeny.ai/companies/harmattan-ai)
- **Location:** Paris, France
- **Employment:** full-time
- **Work type:** onsite
- **Posted:** 2025-10-06
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-21
- **Apply:** https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/harmattan-ai/94d60cab-ece8-469f-b5b9-70da86eabbb2/application

**Skills:** C++, Qt, Android, Java, NDK, UX/UI design, Cross-platform app optimization, MAVLink, PX4, Robotics, Drones

> Develop and optimize Android-based drone controller applications using C++ and Qt for professional UAV operations. The role involves adapting open-source QGroundControl, integrating hardware controls, and collaborating platform maintenance and deployment.

## 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 Software Engineer within the Ground Control Systems (GCS) team, you will play a central role in developing Harmattan AI’s new range of drone controllers — high-performance, Android-based control stations designed for professional UAV operations. You will adapt and extend the open-source QGroundControl platform (C++/Qt) to integrate seamlessly with our proprietary hardware, adding new features and ensuring reliability, performance, and scalability across missions.

## Responsibilities

- App Development: Design, develop, and optimize our QGroundControl-based application using C++ and Qt.
- Hardware Integration: Adapt the app interface with physical controls (joysticks, buttons, switches, touchscreen) for a cohesive operator experience.
- Feature Implementation: Translate user needs and mission requirements into new functionalities and UX/UI improvements.
- Platform Maintenance: Port and maintain the app across Android versions, ensuring performance, compatibility, and security.
- Deployment: Manage app updates and releases across our device fleet.
- Collaboration: Work closely with embedded and electronics teams to ensure smooth hardware/software integration and with QA for field validation.

Candidate Requirements

- Master’s degree in Software Engineering or related field.
- 3+ years of experience in software development: C++ and Qt for desktop or embedded applications.
- Experience with Android development (Java or C++/NDK).
- Familiarity with UX/UI design principles and cross-platform app optimization.
- Experience in robotics or drones environments is a strong plus.
- Knowledge of MAVLink, PX4, or ground control systems is an advantage.
- English proficiency (reading and writing technical documentation).
- Versatile, autonomous, and eager to learn in a fast-evolving technical environment.

Location and Commitments

- Contract Type: Permanent contract (CDI)
- Work Schedule: Full-time
- Availability: ASAP
- Location: Paris

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