HR Operations Apprentice

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

You will join the People Team at a pivotal moment of scale. As our HR Apprentice, you’ll play a critical role in supporting our ambitious growth by contributing to daily operations. You will be exposed to a wide range of topics, from payroll and legal compliance to talent development and internal culture, helping us build a world-class team across France, Switzerland, and the US.

Responsibilities

HR Operations & Administration

• Assist in operating HR lifecycle for our French and International entities from onboarding to offboarding, including immigration processes, preparation of appropriate paperwork and answer employee’s queries on HR admin related matters

• Handle HR Operations in sync with local partners to ensure compliance with legal requirements

• Assist in managing relationships with newly hired candidates and local managers to ensure smooth, efficient, and friendly dialogue

• Participate in the strengthening of our HR Operations, understanding what matters to our People, and ensure our function is high-performing

Strategic projects

• Contribute to enhancing employee experience and culture by helping design internal events, team rituals, and engagement initiatives.

• Support L&D and training initiatives by assisting in identifying skill gaps, sourcing providers, and coordinating global programs.

• Help optimize our HRIS workflows to automate manual tasks and improve the "user experience" for both managers and employees.

• Contribute to improving internal communication by drafting newsletters and messaging for key milestones (ex:Performance Reviews, Goal Setting, Compensation campaigns).

Candidate Requirements

• Academic Background: Currently enrolled in a Tier-1 Master’s program with a focus in HR, Business, Legal Studies, or a related field.

• Focus on Ops: A strong interest in HR processes, labor law, and organizational efficiency

• Autonomy & Rigor: Proactive, organized, and detail-oriented with the ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.

• Communication Skills: Strong verbal and written communication in French and English.

• Tools: Comfortable with spreadsheets (Excel/Google Sheets) and curious about HRIS/Productivity tools (Confluence, Notion etc.).

• Mindset: Collaborative, humble, and eager to learn; no task is too small.

• 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.

Location and Commitments

• Contract Type: Apprenticeship contract

• Location: Paris

• Start Date: September 2026

We look forward to hearing how you can help shape the future of autonomous defense systems at Harmattan AI.