--- title: 'UAV Battery Engineer at Harmattan AI' canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/uav-battery-engineer-harmattan-ai-lausanne-x199zt1b99as' type: 'job' last_seen: '2026-09-07' --- # UAV Battery Engineer at Harmattan AI - **Company:** [Harmattan AI](https://feeny.ai/companies/harmattan-ai) - **Location:** Lausanne, Switzerland - **Employment:** full-time - **Work type:** onsite - **Posted:** 2026-06-04 - **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-07 - **Apply:** https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/harmattan-ai/bca1e42e-74c9-4284-99b5-2eceded962e8/application **Skills:** Battery architecture, Cell selection, BMS architecture, Thermal management, DFMEA, UN38.3 compliance, UL compliance, State of Charge estimation, State of Health estimation, Cell balancing, Protection logic, Cycler testing, Thermal chamber testing, BMS log data analysis, Thermal simulation, Cell characterisation, Pack packaging, Integration > Harmattan AI seeks a UAV Battery Engineer to own end-to-end battery architecture, from cell selection to production-ready packs. The role involves designing BMS systems, ensuring safety compliance, and managing supplier relationships for autonomous defense platforms. ## 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 We are looking for a UAV Battery Engineer to join our Hardware (Elec Team). This role is critical to owning the energy storage systems that power our UAV platforms. Our drones demand high energy density, reliability, and uncompromising safety under dynamic loads — and we need a dedicated expert to architect, test, and deliver battery systems from cell selection through to production-ready packs. You will take end-to-end ownership of the UAV battery architecture, working hands-on with cells, BMS hardware, and thermal systems every day. This is a high-autonomy role where your decisions on cell chemistry, supplier selection, and safety protocols will directly shape the performance and reliability of our platforms. ## RESPONSIBILITIES Battery Architecture & Cell Selection: Evaluate and qualify battery cell suppliers based on energy density, cycle life, cost, and safety performance. Define pack configuration and cell architecture for UAV platforms. Battery Safety & Thermal Management: Lead the design of battery safety protocols, including thermal runaway mitigation and propagation resistance strategies. Conduct hazard analyses (DFMEA) and ensure compliance with standards such as UN38.3 and UL. BMS Design & Integration: Own the Battery Management System architecture and algorithms, including State of Charge (SoC) and State of Health (SoH) estimation, cell balancing, and protection logic for highly dynamic load environments. Testing & Validation: Perform hands-on testing of cells using cyclers and thermal chambers. Develop validation plans covering abuse scenarios such as overcharge, short circuit, and mechanical drop conditions. Analyse BMS log data and simulate thermal behaviour. Supplier Management: Manage relationships with cell suppliers, covering technical specifications, quality control, and roadmaps. Build a reliable and scalable supplier pipeline. Cross-Team Collaboration: Work closely with Mechanical Design on battery packaging constraints, Firmware on BMS parameters and algorithms, and external manufacturing partners. ## CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS Educational Background: Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, or a closely related field. Technical Expertise: Proven track record of taking battery systems from concept to production in high-performance robotics, aerospace, or UAV applications. Hands-on experience with cell characterisation, BMS architecture, and thermal management. Familiarity with safety compliance standards (e.g., UN38.3, UL). Core Competencies: Cell selection and testing, supplier management and qualification, battery safety (thermal runaway mitigation), BMS architecture, pack packaging and integration, and regulatory compliance. Ideal Background: Experience at drone manufacturers (e.g., DJI, Skydio, Anduril), EV companies (e.g., Rivian, Tesla), or advanced robotics and electrification organizations. Attributes: Analytical, safety-conscious, data-driven, and highly structured. Strong communication skills, particularly for supplier negotiation and cross-functional collaboration. Commitment: 100% dedication to Harmattan AI's mission, vision, and ambitious growth plans, ready to go the extra mile to ensure operational excellence. 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 - [Forward Deployed Software Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/forward-deployed-software-engineer-harmattan-ai-united-arab-emirates-h1ph5ed6wera) — United Arab Emirates - [Embedded Electrical Engineer - SoM](https://feeny.ai/job/embedded-electrical-engineer-som-harmattan-ai-zurich-nfmnmqmj7qkw) — Zurich, Switzerland - [Embedded Electrical Engineer - SoM](https://feeny.ai/job/embedded-electrical-engineer-som-harmattan-ai-lausanne-25bs7fgkpqjz) — Lausanne, Switzerland - [Product Operations Intern](https://feeny.ai/job/product-operations-intern-harmattan-ai-paris-598y5hqzq0v7) — Paris, France - [Embedded Electrical Engineer - SoM](https://feeny.ai/job/embedded-electrical-engineer-som-harmattan-ai-paris-4kfy8a0s9nsw) — Paris, France - [Software Engineer - Gimbal](https://feeny.ai/job/software-engineer-gimbal-harmattan-ai-paris-964y8cys7ssa) — Paris, France - [Forward Deployed Software Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/forward-deployed-software-engineer-harmattan-ai-paris-t3v3brcs9b32) — Paris, France - [Drone System Validation Technician and Pilot](https://feeny.ai/job/drone-system-validation-technician-and-pilot-harmattan-ai-rabat-z2eczm57bd4w) — Rabat, Morocco - [Validation Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/validation-engineer-harmattan-ai-rabat-j6rf9bn7tje4) — Rabat, Morocco - [Flight Operations Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/flight-operations-engineer-harmattan-ai-rabat-m3nxbfykp8at) — Rabat, Morocco