Job Description: Drone & Swarm Design Engineer (CAD & Simulation)

Role Overview

We are looking for an M.Tech engineer with strong hands\-on expertise in CAD and simulation tools to design, model and validate drones and drone swarms. You will take airframes from concept to a simulation\-validated design, and build the virtual environments in which single drones and swarms are tested before they fly.

Key Responsibilities

• *Airframe \& mechanical design**

• Create 3D CAD models and assemblies of fixed\-wing, multirotor and hybrid VTOL airframes, including fuselage, wings, booms, landing gear, payload bays and mounts.
• Produce manufacturing\-ready 2D drawings with GD\&T, BOMs and design documentation.
• Design for composites, 3D printing and CNC machining; work with fabrication vendors on manufacturability.
• Carry out weight, CG and moment\-of\-inertia estimation and maintain the mass budget.

• *Analysis \& simulation**

• Perform structural FEA (static, modal, vibration, fatigue) on airframes and critical parts.
• Run CFD / aerodynamic analysis for lift, drag, propeller performance and stability derivatives.
• Build flight\-dynamics models in MATLAB/Simulink and support control\-system tuning.
• Analyse performance for high\-altitude and extreme\-temperature operation (reduced air density, icing, wind).

• *Swarm design \& simulation**

• Set up multi\-drone simulation environments (Gazebo, PX4/ArduPilot SITL, AirSim or similar).
• Model and test swarm behaviours: formation flight, path planning, task allocation, collision avoidance and inter\-drone communication.
• Run Monte Carlo / scenario simulations and report on swarm performance, failure modes and scalability.

• *Integration \& documentation**

• Work with avionics, propulsion and software teams on integrating sensors, payloads, power systems and flight controllers.
• Support prototype builds, ground tests and flight trials, and feed test data back into the models.
• Prepare technical reports, design reviews and inputs for tenders, RFIs and certification (DGCA, defence QA).

Required Qualifications

• **M.Tech** in Aerospace / Aeronautical / Mechanical / Avionics / Mechatronics Engineering or a closely related field.
• Hands\-on expertise in at least one professional CAD package: **SolidWorks, CATIA, Siemens NX, Creo or Fusion 360**.
• Working experience with **FEA and CFD tools**, such as ANSYS (Mechanical / Fluent), Abaqus, OpenFOAM, or XFLR5/OpenVSP for conceptual aerodynamics.
• Proficiency in **MATLAB/Simulink** for modelling and analysis.
• Exposure to drone simulation frameworks: **Gazebo, PX4 / ArduPilot SITL, AirSim** or equivalent.
• Solid fundamentals in aerodynamics, flight mechanics, structures and materials (especially composites).
• Demonstrated UAV project work: thesis, competitions, published papers or industry projects.

Preferred Skills

• Programming in **Python and/or C\+\+**; familiarity with **ROS / ROS 2**.
• Experience with swarm algorithms (consensus, flocking, PSO\-based planning, decentralised control).
• Knowledge of propulsion sizing — electric motors, propellers, batteries, and IC\-engine / hybrid power plants.
• Experience in hardware\-in\-the\-loop (HIL) testing and flight\-test data analysis.
• Familiarity with DGCA Drone Rules 2021, airworthiness/QA processes and defence documentation standards.
• Participation in SAE Aero Design, ISRO/DRDO projects, IIT/NIT UAV labs or drone hackathons.

Key Attributes

• Strong analytical and problem\-solving ability; comfortable moving between design, simulation and the shop floor.
• Clear technical writing and communication.
• Ownership mindset and comfort working in a fast\-moving startup team.
• Willingness to travel for field trials, including high\-altitude and remote locations.

Eligibility

• Indian nationality is required, as the role involves defence\-related projects.
• Candidates may need to undergo background verification and security clearance.

How to Apply

Applications without the mandatory documents below will not be considered.

• *Mandatory documents**

1\. **Detailed CV** in the prescribed format, covering education, CAD/simulation tools used, and drone/swarm projects with your role in each.

2\. **Experience certificate(s)** on the employer's letterhead, signed and stamped by an authorised signatory, stating designation, period of employment and nature of work in drone design/simulation.

3\. **M.Tech degree certificate and marksheets** (provisional certificate accepted for recent graduates).

• *Supporting documents (preferred)**

• Portfolio of CAD/simulation work: screenshots, renders, analysis reports or GitHub links.
• M.Tech thesis abstract.
• Publications, competition certificates or project completion letters.

Send all documents as PDFs to **careers@p9e.in** with the subject line **"Application – Drone \& Swarm Design Engineer"**. Shortlisted candidates must produce originals for verification.

Pay: ₹11,000\.00 \- ₹46,000\.00 per month

Benefits

• Flexible schedule

Work Location: In person