P6 – Project Head (UAV Systems)

• *Department:** UAV / Aerospace Engineering – Project Management
• *Experience:** 6\-10 Years
• *Employment Type:** Full\-Time
• *Qualification:** B.E./B.Tech./M.E./M.Tech in Aerospace Engineering, Aeronautical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electronics, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics or a related discipline. MBA / PMP / Project Management certification will be an added advantage.

Role Overview

We are looking for an experienced **Project Head – UAV Systems** to lead and manage the complete development, integration, testing and deployment of advanced Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) platforms.

The candidate must have a strong overall understanding of all major UAV engineering disciplines, including **Propulsion Systems, Airframe \& Aerodynamics, Avionics, Quality \& Compliance, and Communication \& Telemetry**.

The Project Head will be responsible for coordinating all five engineering functions, ensuring that individual subsystems work together as a complete UAV platform.

The role requires a technically strong leader who can understand engineering challenges across departments, review designs, make technical and project\-level decisions, manage resources, resolve integration issues and ensure timely project execution.

The candidate should be capable of communicating with engineers, management, vendors, customers and regulatory authorities.

Key Responsibilities1\. Overall UAV Project Leadership

• Lead the complete UAV development lifecycle, from concept design to prototype development, testing and deployment.
• Take overall ownership of UAV projects, technical deliverables, timelines, quality and performance.
• Define project scope, technical objectives, milestones and development plans.
• Coordinate and manage all five engineering departments (P1–P5\).
• Allocate responsibilities and establish clear deliverables for each department.
• Monitor project progress and ensure timely completion of engineering activities.
• Conduct regular technical reviews and project review meetings.
• Identify project risks, technical challenges and resource requirements.
• Make critical technical and management decisions to keep projects on track.
• Report project progress, challenges and achievements to senior management.

2\. Propulsion Systems – P1

• Understand IC engines, automotive engine adaptation and UAV propulsion requirements.
• Review engine selection, power\-to\-weight ratio, torque, RPM and fuel\-consumption calculations.
• Evaluate engine\-to\-propeller and engine\-to\-generator configurations.
• Understand hybrid\-electric propulsion architectures.
• Review cooling, lubrication, fuel\-delivery and power\-transmission systems.
• Evaluate propulsion performance, endurance, reliability and thermal behaviour.
• Coordinate propulsion integration with airframe and electrical systems.
• Review engine test results, dynamometer reports and propulsion validation activities.

3\. Airframe \& Aerodynamics – P2

• Understand fixed\-wing, VTOL and hybrid UAV configurations.
• Review aircraft sizing, MTOW, payload, range, endurance and performance requirements.
• Evaluate wing, fuselage, tail and control\-surface designs.
• Understand aerodynamic performance, lift, drag, stability and control.
• Review CFD, FEA and structural analysis reports.
• Evaluate airframe materials, composites, carbon\-fibre structures and manufacturing processes.
• Review weight distribution, centre of gravity and structural load calculations.
• Coordinate airframe design with propulsion, avionics and payload requirements.
• Ensure aerodynamic and structural requirements are achieved.

4\. Avionics Systems – P3

• Understand complete UAV avionics architecture and system integration.
• Review flight controllers, autopilots, GNSS, IMU and navigation systems.
• Understand PX4, ArduPilot, MAVLink and Ground Control Station integration.
• Review sensor integration, actuator interfaces and power\-distribution architecture.
• Understand embedded systems, communication protocols and onboard computers.
• Evaluate failsafe systems, redundancy, autonomous flight modes and system health monitoring.
• Coordinate integration of cameras, payloads, mission computers and edge\-AI systems.
• Review flight logs, avionics test results and system validation reports.

5\. Quality \& Compliance – P4

• Establish project\-level quality standards and engineering documentation practices.
• Ensure proper requirement management, traceability and configuration control.
• Review PRDs, SRS documents, ICDs, BOMs and engineering change records.
• Ensure design reviews, verification and validation activities are completed.
• Monitor quality processes across design, procurement, manufacturing and testing.
• Review FMEA, risk assessments, NCR, CAPA and root\-cause analysis reports.
• Ensure proper inspection, testing and product acceptance procedures.
• Coordinate supplier quality and vendor qualification.
• Oversee product certification and applicable regulatory compliance activities.
• Maintain product documentation and audit readiness.

6\. Communication \& Telemetry – P5

• Understand UAV command\-and\-control and telemetry architecture.
• Review RF communication systems, telemetry radios and antenna integration.
• Understand communication link budgets, bandwidth, latency, range and link reliability.
• Evaluate MAVLink, TCP/IP, UDP, CAN, UART and Ethernet interfaces.
• Review primary and backup communication systems.
• Understand LTE/4G/5G, Wi\-Fi, mesh networking and long\-range RF systems.
• Evaluate antenna placement, signal interference, RSSI, SNR and packet loss.
• Ensure reliable communication between UAV and Ground Control Station.
• Review communication range\-test reports and flight\-test communication performance.

7\. System Integration \& Technical Architecture

• Ensure seamless integration of propulsion, airframe, avionics, communication and payload systems.
• Review complete UAV system architecture and subsystem interfaces.
• Identify technical dependencies and integration challenges between departments.
• Ensure compatibility between mechanical, electrical, electronic and software systems.
• Lead system\-level design reviews and technical decision\-making.
• Establish system\-level requirements and interface standards.
• Ensure integration of all subsystems into a functional UAV platform.
• Resolve cross\-functional technical conflicts.
• Drive design optimisation for performance, weight, endurance, reliability and cost.

8\. Testing, Validation \& Flight Operations

• Define the overall testing and validation strategy.
• Oversee subsystem testing, prototype testing and system\-level ground testing.
• Coordinate engine, structural, electrical, avionics and communication testing.
• Review ground\-test and flight\-test plans.
• Ensure proper test procedures, safety checks and acceptance criteria.
• Monitor flight\-test results and identify performance gaps.
• Lead root\-cause analysis of technical failures.
• Coordinate corrective actions and design improvements.
• Ensure all required validation activities are completed before product release.

9\. Project Planning \& Resource Management

• Prepare project schedules, budgets and resource\-allocation plans.
• Manage engineering teams, vendors, procurement and external development partners.
• Track project milestones, deliverables and dependencies.
• Identify delays and implement corrective project plans.
• Manage project risks, technical constraints and budget variations.
• Ensure optimum utilisation of manpower, equipment and resources.
• Coordinate procurement of critical components and long\-lead items.
• Maintain project dashboards and management reports.

10\. Team Leadership \& Stakeholder Management

• Lead and mentor department leads and engineering teams.
• Establish accountability and ownership across P1–P5\.
• Conduct regular cross\-functional coordination meetings.
• Encourage collaboration between mechanical, aerospace, electronics and software teams.
• Communicate project status and technical challenges to management.
• Coordinate with customers to understand mission requirements and expectations.
• Represent the engineering team during customer meetings and technical reviews.
• Manage vendor discussions, technical negotiations and external collaborations.

Required Technical Knowledge

The candidate should have a strong working understanding of

• *Propulsion Systems**

• IC engines and automotive powertrains
• Hybrid\-electric propulsion
• Engine\-generator systems
• Propellers, thrust and power calculations
• Cooling and fuel systems

• *Airframe \& Aerodynamics**

• Aircraft design and sizing
• Aerodynamics and flight mechanics
• Structural design and analysis
• Composite materials
• Aircraft stability and control
• Weight and balance

• *Avionics**

• Flight controllers and autopilots
• PX4 / ArduPilot
• GNSS, IMU and navigation systems
• Embedded systems
• Sensor integration
• Autonomous flight systems

• *Quality \& Compliance**

• Product lifecycle management
• Quality Management Systems
• ISO 9001 / AS9100 concepts
• FMEA, CAPA and RCA
• Configuration and change management
• Verification and validation

• *Communication \& Telemetry**

• RF communication fundamentals
• Telemetry and command\-and\-control links
• Antenna systems
• Link\-budget calculations
• MAVLink and networking protocols
• Communication reliability and redundancy

Preferred Software \& Tools

Working knowledge of multiple tools across the following categories is desirable:

• SolidWorks / CATIA / Siemens NX
• ANSYS Mechanical / ANSYS Fluent
• MATLAB / Simulink
• PX4 / ArduPilot
• QGroundControl / Mission Planner
• Python / C / C\+\+
• ROS / ROS 2
• Jira / Confluence
• MS Project / Excel / Power BI
• PLM / PDM / ERP systems

Required Leadership \& Management Skills

• Strong technical leadership and decision\-making ability.
• Ability to understand and review engineering work across multiple disciplines.
• Excellent project planning and execution skills.
• Strong problem\-solving and analytical capabilities.
• Cross\-functional team management.
• Risk identification and mitigation.
• Vendor and stakeholder management.
• Budget and resource management.
• Technical documentation and presentation skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and competing priorities.

Preferred Experience

Candidates with experience in the following areas will receive preference:

• UAV / Drone development and manufacturing.
• Fixed\-wing, VTOL or hybrid UAV platforms.
• Complete UAV system integration.
• Aerospace or defence product development.
• Hybrid\-electric propulsion development.
• Automotive engine adaptation for aircraft applications.
• Flight testing and experimental aircraft development.
• SAE Aero Design / Formula Student / BAJA SAE.
• Aerospace R\&D and prototype development.
• Product certification and quality management.
• Leading multidisciplinary engineering teams.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

The Project Head will be evaluated on

• On\-time achievement of project milestones.
• Successful integration of all five engineering subsystems.
• Achievement of UAV performance targets (payload, range, endurance and MTOW).
• Technical quality and reliability of the developed UAV.
• Successful completion of ground and flight testing.
• Reduction in integration issues and repeated design failures.
• Adherence to project budgets and resource plans.
• Engineering documentation and compliance readiness.
• Team productivity and cross\-functional coordination.
• Successful prototype development and product readiness.

Ideal Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate is not necessarily expected to personally perform every engineering calculation or CAD activity. However, the candidate must have sufficient technical knowledge and practical experience to understand, review, challenge and guide the work of all five engineering departments.

• *The Project Head must be capable of understanding the complete UAV as one integrated system rather than managing five departments independently.**

Work Location: In person