Automation & Industrialization Director

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 Harmattan AI is moving from rapid product development and early serial production into high-volume industrial scale-up. Products, production volumes and manufacturing sites are evolving simultaneously. The next phase requires a Senior Automation & Industrialisation Director who can translate engineering designs and volume requirements into robust, scalable and where justified increasingly automated production systems, while providing strong technical leadership to a diversely skilled team. The objective is to strengthen both Harmattan AI's industrialisation capability and the technical maturity of the team, enabling the organisation to scale from today's manual and semi-automated processes toward significantly higher volumes and international manufacturing.   RESPONSIBILITIES The role will own the Automation & Industrialisation roadmap, including: - Industrialisation of new products from prototype through stable serial production. - DFM/DFA and Design for Automation with Engineering. - Production process and line architecture. - Workstations, tooling, fixtures, test equipment and semi-automated production systems. - Automation concepts, specifications, supplier selection, commissioning and ramp-up. - PFMEA, process validation and production-readiness activities. - Cycle-time, capacity, line balancing, yield and labour-content optimisation. - Identification of the correct automation level based on volume, maturity, quality, flexibility and ROI. - Standardisation and replication of production systems across Harmattan AI manufacturing sites. - Development of the manufacturing technology roadmap toward significantly higher production volumes.   CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS - 15-20+ years of relevant industrial experience (ideally in aerospace, defence, advanced electronics, or mechatronics) and has personally taken complex electromechanical products from prototype into high-volume or rapidly scaling serial production - Ideally, combined experience from a highly developed industrial organisation with experience in a startup/scale-up, defence-tech, UAV, robotics or similarly fast-moving hardware environment. - Hands-on experience with semi-automated and automated assembly systems, PLC-controlled equipment (Siemens preferred), and industrial tooling. - Solid understanding of DFM/DFA, PFMEA, and lean manufacturing principles. - Adaptability & Mobility: Thrives under pressure in a fast-paced, dynamic environment; embraces a “no-task-is-too-small” mentality. Willingness to travel and work flexible schedules (evenings/weekends as needed). - Communication & Influence: Excellent written and verbal communication, capable of leading diverse principals – from junior members to senior executives. - 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.