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Flight Operation Engineer

Harmattan Ai - Austin, TX, United States - In-office - posted 2026-10-06

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Harmattan AI is a next-generation defense prime building autonomous and scalable defense systems. Following a $200M Series B valuation at $1.4 billion, the company is expanding teams to deliver mission-critical systems to allied forces. As a Flight Operations Engineer, you will serve as the bridge between R&D and operational field deployment. You are responsible for the "last mile" of technology: demonstrating capabilities to global defense partners, training end-users on complex autonomous systems, and conducting final field validation. This role requires elite piloting skills, hands-on hardware engineering expertise, and a high degree of technical autonomy. Key Responsibilities: - 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 covering flight theory, autonomous mission planning, and emergency procedures to ensure clients can safely and effectively operate Harmattan AI systems - Work closely with hardware, software, and systems teams to support debugging and iteration based on test outcomes - Execute deployment and tactical logistics of autonomous systems, managing end-to-end integration of command-and-control (C2) infrastructure and RF data links in complex, real-world environments to ensure mission readiness 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 end-to-end assembly, integration, and maintenance of high-performance FPV, multicopters, and/or fixed-wing systems - Wide engineering knowledge around flight dynamics, control systems, avionics, and/or RF systems - Detail-oriented with excellent documentation and organizational skills - Strong communication and leadership skills, with ability to motivate and guide teams toward success - Proven ability to simplify complex technical concepts for training and public presentations - Comfortable with dynamic schedule requiring frequent international presence - Bonus: Pilot certification, experience with military or industrial drone platforms

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