Junior Mechanical Engineer (Summer 2026)

THE ROLE At Ore Energy, we are on a mission to fundamentally expand the amount of energy society can reliably harness and use, helping move civilization toward a more abundant energy future. We are doing this by developing long-duration, utility-scale iron-air batteries that provide safe, low-cost, multi-day energy storage for electricity grids and data centers. We are expanding our technical development capabilities and are looking for two Junior Mechanical Engineers to join our team in Amsterdam. In this role, you will support the mechanical design, prototyping, and testing of our breakthrough iron-air battery cells, modules, and supporting hardware systems. Operating at the intersection of electrochemistry, materials science, and physical systems engineering, you will translate theoretical product requirements into practical, physical, and testable mechanical designs. This is a highly collaborative, hands-on, and iterative role for a curious, creative, and detail-oriented engineer who loves building, testing, and troubleshooting hardware in a fast-paced laboratory and workshop environment. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES * CAD & Design Ownership: Create, update, and manage high-quality 3D CAD models, complex assemblies, and detailed engineering drawings for battery housings, seals, supports, and internal components. * Hands-on Prototyping: Build, modify, and inspect physical prototypes for development, structural analysis, and validation testing. * Testing & Troubleshooting: Actively participate in mechanical testing, experimental setup, and troubleshooting of prototype designs to assess tolerance, sealing, fit, and durability. * Root-Cause Analysis: Identify design weaknesses, contribute to root-cause failure analysis, and propose creative engineering improvements to simplify assembly, safety, and reliability. * Basic Engineering Calculations: Perform fundamental mechanical calculations, tolerance stack-up analyses, and basic structural design assessments. * Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner closely with electrochemical, materials, and testing teams to ensure mechanical designs seamlessly support chemistry and performance requirements. * Technical Documentation: Systematically document design iterations, test observations, engineering changes, and key learning outcomes. YOUR PROFILE * Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Product Design, Aerospace Engineering, or a highly related technical field. * CAD Proficiency: Strong foundational proficiency in 3D CAD modeling software (such as SolidWorks, Inventor, or similar) and a clear understanding of technical drawing standards. * Hands-on Mindset: A proactive, physical problem-solver who genuinely enjoys working with tools, building experimental setups, and handling hardware in a workshop or lab. * Analytical Curiosity: Strong analytical and detail-oriented mindset with a fast learning curve and a deep curiosity for battery technology and energy storage systems. * Navigating Ambiguity: Comfortable working in an iterative design environment with evolving technical requirements and challenges. * Collaboration & Communication: Highly collaborative, open to feedback, and possessing excellent communication skills in English to work effectively across multidisciplinary teams.

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. We are seeking a high-drive, hands-on Mechanical Engineer to join our dedicated Quadcopter Airframe team in Lausanne. In this role, you will be on the front lines of designing, prototyping, and integrating next-generation multirotor hardware deployed in mission-critical environments. From day one, you’ll work directly on physical hardware—modeling custom parts in SolidWorks, building hands-on prototypes, and helping validate them for flight testing. WHAT YOU WILL DO * Component CAD Modeling: Design and update production-ready 3D models and assemblies (motor mounts, structural brackets, battery latches, internal mounting plates) in SolidWorks under tight deadlines. * Electromechanical Packaging: Fit electrical components, PCBs, sensors, actuators, and wire harnesses into compact quadcopter airframes without compromising serviceability or thermal routing. * Rapid Prototyping & Bench Testing: Operate 3D printers, shop tools, and bench-test setups to physically validate and stress-test your designs before they hit the field. * DFM & Production Documentation: Create precise 2D manufacturing drawings, define tolerances, and generate BOMs for injection molding, CNC machining, 3D printing, and sheet metal fabrication. * Cross-Functional Execution: Collaborate closely with Electrical Engineering, Aerodynamics, Industrialisation, and Supply Chain to solve spatial packaging bottlenecks and keep hardware builds moving fast. WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR * Background: M.Sc. or B.Sc. (FH / HES / University of Applied Sciences) in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Aerospace or similar. * Experience: 0–3 years of hands-on experience in mechanical engineering, robotics, or electromechanical hardware. Top performance in competitive university hardware teams (Formula Student / FSAE, robotics clubs, or UAV projects) counts directly toward experience. * CAD Fluency: Fast, clean modeling skills in SolidWorks and a solid grasp of parametric assembly design. * Hands-on DFM Grounding: Practical understanding of real manufacturing constraints (tolerances, draft angles, tool access) for CNC machined parts, 3D printing, and plastic enclosures. * High Drive & Ownership: High ownership, responsiveness, and a proactive mindset—someone who naturally favors quick action, takes full responsibility for their tasks, and unblocks themselves when faced with tight deadlines. WHAT WE OFFER * 10x Execution Speed: Experience rapid engineering cycles where you model in CAD, print a prototype the same afternoon, test on the bench, and iterate immediately. You will gain years of practical hardware experience in your first 12 months. * Broad Cross-Functional Exposure: Work directly alongside top senior engineers across mechanical, electrical, aerodynamic, and production disciplines to master full-system drone hardware integration. * Direct Mission Impact: Your work directly supports hardware deployed with allied forces to solve critical defense challenges. We look forward to hearing how you can help shape the future of autonomous defense systems at Harmattan AI.