Optical Engineer

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Optical Engineer at Harmattan AI is a full-time onsite role in Paris focused on designing and optimizing electro-optical and thermal camera systems for drones, with emphasis on zoom and image quality. You will define specs, select components, and build an image quality lab, then test modules with suppliers and tune ISP parameters and histograms to maximize performance. Ideal candidates hold an MSc in Physics or Optical Engineering (PhD a plus) with 4+ years in optical design, testing and optimization, plus deep optics culture. Experience with drone cameras, embedded systems, thermal imaging; Python required, C/C++ a plus; excellent communication. Show your commitment to Harmattan AI’s mission and growth.

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 seeking an Optical Engineer to work on the design, development and optimization of both electro-optical and thermal camera systems for our drones, with a challenging level of zoom and image quality.

Responsibilities

• Building the proper camera system specification for our drones and select the corresponding components (both electro-optical and thermal)

• Building an image quality lab

• Exchange with the suppliers. Test the camera modules

• Tuning the camera systems parameters (ISP parameters, histograms, etc…) to reach the better image quality

Candidate Requirements

• Educational Background: MSc in Physics, Optical Engineering, or related fields. A PhD in optics is a plus.

• At least 4 years of experience in the design, tuning, optimization and testing of optical systems

• Extensive technical culture in optics

• Experience with drone cameras is a huge plus, experience with embedded systems is a plus

• Experience with thermal imaging is a huge plus

• Experience with Python is required, C/C++ is a plus

• Excellent written and verbal communication

• 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.