International Factory Deployment Engineer
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
The Industrial Engineer for International Factory Deployment leads the physical standup of Harmattan AI factories at international sites - translating the company's proven factory blueprint into operational production sites, on time and to standard. Working from the Wissous reference factory, you will own the full deployment arc: site preparation, equipment commissioning, process deployment, and production-ready handover. Assignments run three to twelve months. This is a senior, autonomous, project-delivery role requiring deep industrial engineering expertise and comfort with the complexity of international defence programmes. Reports to the Head of Production & SCM.
Responsibilities
Factory Deployment & Standup
Lead end-to-end deployment of the Harmattan AI factory blueprint - from site assessment through to production-ready handover
Translate standardised factory design (layout, equipment, processes, tooling, workflows) into a functioning local operation, adapting for site constraints without compromising output standards
Manage equipment installation, commissioning, and qualification in coordination with Harmattan AI engineering and local partners
Establish manufacturing processes, work instructions, and quality controls aligned with the reference factory standard
Oversee integration of ERP, MES, and traceability systems at the deployment site
Offset & Industrial Partnership Execution
Operate within military offset agreement obligations - local content requirements, technology transfer scope, and contractual deliverables
Coordinate with local industrial partners and government stakeholders to ensure factory deployment meets offset milestones
Build local engineering capability and transfer knowledge as required by offset and industrial participation obligations
Document and report on offset credit activities and production readiness gates in formats required by the contracting authority
Operational Readiness & Handover
Define and execute a structured production readiness programme - equipment qualification, process validation, operator training, and first-article runs
Establish local maintenance routines, spare parts inventory, and operating procedures to sustain production after handover
Conduct formal readiness reviews and sign-off against the Harmattan AI factory standard
Capture lessons learned and feed structured improvement back into the factory blueprint for future deployments
HQ Coordination
Act as the primary interface between the deployment site and Harmattan AI HQ - structured progress reporting, escalation, and coordination of remote engineering support
Support commercial and programme teams during pre-contract site assessments and deployment feasibility studies
Responsibilities
Essential
Degree in industrial engineering, manufacturing engineering, or related technical field
Minimum seven years of industrial engineering experience in aerospace, defence, advanced electronics, or similarly regulated manufacturing
Demonstrated factory standup experience - greenfield or brownfield - including equipment commissioning, process deployment, and production readiness
Familiarity with military offset agreements, industrial participation obligations, or technology transfer programmes in a defence context
Proven ability to operate autonomously on international assignments with limited local infrastructure
Fluent English; French, Arabic, or other deployment-region languages a strong advantage
Preferred
Experience replicating a factory from a reference template or blueprint
Working knowledge of ERP/MES systems (Odoo or equivalent) in a deployment context
Exposure to NATO STANAG standards, ITAR, or equivalent defence compliance frameworks
Lean manufacturing, one-piece flow, and production ramp methodologies
We look forward to hearing how you can help shape the future of autonomous defense systems at Harmattan AI.