Flight Operation Engineer

Harmattan Ai
Austin, TX
On-site

Who this role is best for

Best suited to technically skilled professionals with aerospace or robotics experience working in defense and autonomous systems.

Best fit for

  • Candidates with hands-on experience in assembling and maintaining high-performance drones and a background in flight dynamics.
    — “Proven track record in the end-to-end assembly, integration, and maintenance of high-performance FPV, multicopters and/or Fixed-Wing systems.”
  • Individuals who have led flight demonstrations or test campaigns for complex systems and can translate technical knowledge into training.
    — “Lead high-stakes live flight demonstrations for defense stakeholders, showcasing mission-specific capabilities in diverse environments.”

Things to consider

  • International travel is a significant part of the role, requiring frequent global presence.
    — “Comfortable with a dynamic schedule that requires frequent international presence.”
  • The role demands a high level of technical autonomy and problem-solving without direct oversight.
    — “This role requires a unique combination of elite piloting skills, hands-on hardware engineering and high degree of technical autonomy.”

How to stand out

  • Highlight experience in field validation and real-world testing of autonomous systems in your resume.
    — “Test Campaigns: Plan and execute real-world test campaigns to validate performance, reliability, and edge-case behaviors.”
  • Emphasize your ability to simplify complex concepts for training and presentations.
    — “Proven ability to simplify complex technical concepts for training and public presentations.”
  • Showcase leadership in cross-functional teams and your role in driving iteration.
    — “Work closely with hardware, software, and systems teams to support debugging and iteration based on test outcomes.”
  • Demonstrate your experience with C2 infrastructure and RF data links in real-world settings.
    — “Execute the deployment and the tactical logistics of autonomous systems, managing the end-to-end integration of command-and-control (C2) infrastructure and RF data links in complex, real-world environments.”
Pace · Fast PacedCollaboration · HighAutonomy · MediumDecision Impact · Team

Derived from job-description analysis by Serendipath's career intelligence engine.

What success looks like

  • successful test campaigns
  • high-stakes live flight demonstrations
  • comprehensive training programs
Typical background
aerospace engineeringrobotics engineering

Skills & requirements

Required

Flight OperationsFlight TestingEmbedded RoboticsFlight DynamicsControl SystemsAvionicsRF Systems

Preferred

Pilot CertificationMilitary Or Industrial Drone Platforms

Stack & domain

Flight OperationsFlight TestingValidationFPVMulticoptersFixed-wing SystemsFlight DynamicsControl SystemsAvionicsRF SystemsCommunicationLeadershipDocumentationOrganizationTechnical AutonomyPilot CertificationDefense SystemsAutonomous SystemsAerospaceRobotics

About the role

Original posting from Harmattan Ai via Ashby

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 Flight Operations Engineer, you will be the bridge between our R&D lab and the operational field. You are responsible for the "last mile" of our technology: demonstrating capabilities to global defense partners, training end-users on complex autonomous systems, and conducting final field validation. This role requires a unique combination of elite piloting skills, hands-on hardware engineering and high degree of technical autonomy.

RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Test Campaigns: Plan and execute real-world test campaigns to validate performance, reliability, and edge-case behaviors of new hardware and software releases.
  • Lead high-stakes live flight demonstrations for defense stakeholders, showcasing mission-specific capabilities in diverse environments.
  • Deliver comprehensive training programs to ensure clients can safely and effectively operate Harmattan AI systems covering flight theory, autonomous mission planning, and emergency procedures.
  • Cross-Team Collaboration: Work closely with hardware, software, and systems teams to support debugging and iteration based on test outcomes.
  • Execute the deployment and the tactical logistics of autonomous systems, managing the end-to-end integration of command-and-control (C2) infrastructure and RF data links in complex, real-world environments to ensure 100% mission readiness

CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS

  • 2–5 years of experience in flight operations, flight testing or validation on aerospace or robotic systems, or embedded robotics.
  • Proven track record in the end-to-end assembly, integration, and maintenance of high-performance FPV, multicopters and/or Fixed-Wing systems.
  • Wide engineering culture around flight dynamics, control systems, avionics, and/or RF systems.
  • Bonus: Pilot certification, experience with military or industrial drone platforms.
  • Detail-oriented with excellent documentation and organizational skills.
  • Strong communication and leadership skills, with the ability to motivate and guide teams toward success.
  • Proven ability to simplify complex technical concepts for training and public presentations.
  • Comfortable with a dynamic schedule that requires frequent international presence.

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

Source: Harmattan Ai careers (Ashby)

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