Automation & Industrialization Director

Harmattan AI is scaling from early serial production to high-volume industrial manufacturing, and this role leads the automation and industrialization roadmap. The Director will translate engineering designs and volume requirements into robust, scalable, and increasingly automated production systems, while providing technical leadership to a diverse team. Responsibilities include industrializing new products, driving DFM/DFA, designing production lines and workstations, and developing automation concepts from supplier selection through commissioning and ramp-up. The role also focuses on optimizing cycle times, capacity, and yield, and standardizing production systems across manufacturing sites to support international expansion.

Responsibilities

• 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.

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.