Optical 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 As an Optical Engineer in the Gimbal team, you are responsible for the optical performance of our EO/IR imaging payloads, which drive image quality, detection range, and robustness in operation. You will work on current products and shape the design of future ones. You follow each product from sizing and prototyping through validation and mass production, working closely with the mechanical, electronics, software, computer vision and industrialization teams. Responsibilities Sizing and design of EO/IR imaging payloads, arbitrating between field of view, resolution, range, and sensor choice. Select lenses and sensors, or lead custom optical designs, against image quality and robustness targets. Design, build, and maintain optical test benches for development, validation, and production. Measure and validate image quality: MTF, focus, boresight, distortion, and NETD for infrared. Develop the camera calibration pipeline (intrinsics, extrinsics, distortion, photometric and radiometric correction) with the software and perception teams. Integrate optics into mechanical assemblies, covering tolerancing, athermalisation, windows, coatings, and sealing. Investigate optical issues across the product life cycle, from prototype to series production. Manage optical suppliers and support industrialization of lenses, sensors, and components. Run field tests to assess image quality in real operating conditio