Software Engineer at Harmattan AI (Paris, France)
Harmattan AI· Paris, France·
Role details
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
Summary
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.
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.