About Ardhan At Ardhan Labs, we are building next-generation defence and aerospace systems for India and beyond, in stealth. Our current focus is on three pioneering programs: Shardul Engine – An indigenous propulsion system for future aerospace platforms. Rakesh Flying Test Bed – A modular platform for flight experimentation and validation. Bharat One – India’s next-gen aerospace solution designed for autonomy and endurance. We are looking for a Technical Co-Founder with deep expertise in aerospace engineering to lead the end-to-end engineering development of our core platforms. This is a leadership opportunity at the intersection of engineering, defence innovation, and nation-building. Role & Responsibilities As Co-Founder, you will: Take complete ownership of the engineering design, development, and testing . Drive concept-to-prototype execution of propulsion and airframe systems. Lead the engineering roadmap , including materials, aerodynamics, propulsion integration, and testing frameworks. Collaborate with defence stakeholders, R&D partners, and manufacturing ecosystems to bring concepts to reality. Play an active role in investor and stakeholder presentations , translating complex engineering into clear business and defence value. Establish Ardhan Labs’ engineering culture , setting standards for design, safety, testing, and innovation. Ideal Profile Background: Aerospace Engineering (propulsion, aerodynamics, or systems engineering). Experience: Hands-on aircraft/engine design & development experience; prior exposure to armed forces projects (Air Force / DRDO / HAL / ADA / ISRO) is a strong plus. Military background: Candidates from the Armed Forces (especially Air Force) with relevant technical exposure are highly encouraged. Leadership: Experience in leading technical teams, test campaigns, or system integration. Mindset: Builder’s mindset, entrepreneurial drive, ability to thrive in high-accountability roles. Selection Process The selection process will include: Application & CV screening Technical evaluation (engineering concepts, past projects, problem-solving ability) Assessments – to evaluate leadership, teamwork, resilience, and decision-making under pressure. Founder Fit Interview – with the core team. Why Join Ardhan Labs? Become a Co-Founder and shape the engineering DNA of a defence-tech startup. Lead the development of cutting-edge aerospace platforms from first principles. Be part of a mission-driven journey to create indigenous defence capabilities . Work at the intersection of technology, national security, and innovation . How to Apply If you are ready to take ownership and co-build the future of Indian aerospace, we’d love to hear from you. Apply Now.
Building India’s Hypersonic Future: A Search for a Technical Co-Founder We aren’t looking for a CTO to manage a department. We are looking for a Co-Founder to help us own the sky. At Ardhan Research Labs (ARL) , we are pioneering indigenous turbo-ramjet propulsion technology to transform India's defense capabilities. From our Shardul Mini engine to the Spearhead UAV platform, we are building the tech that enables reusable, hypersonic flight from ground to Mach 5. This is a high-stakes mission that requires more than technical skill—it requires agency and skin in the game . The Partnership: This is an executive recruitment for a Technical Co-Founder & CTO with an investment stake. We are looking for a partner who is ready to invest both their capital (₹30L - ₹1Cr) and their deep-tech mastery to accelerate our Pathfinder Program. What you will lead Architectural Ownership: Personally owning and validating the critical interfaces between propulsion systems and airframes. Strategic Governance: Translating deep technical insights into executive strategy and managing the roadmap from demonstrators to full production. National Impact: Driving an 80% indigenous "Make in India" strategy to ensure defense autonomy. Fundraising Leadership: Standing shoulder-to-shoulder with me to present our vision to VCs and strategic investors. You have 15+ years in aerospace propulsion or hypersonic systems. You are tired of the "corporate grind" and want to own the IP you build. You understand that the biggest rewards—both financial and national—come to those who share the risk. The Stakes 10% to 15% Co-Founder equity. No Cash or Salary. A seat on the Board to shape strategic decisions. The opportunity to build a multi-hundred-crore IP portfolio. We are building at the speed of digital tools with additive manufacturing at the core of our development. If you have the technical chops and the entrepreneurial spirit to invest in yourself and India's future, let’s talk. Connect or DM for a confidential discussion. #Aerospace #DefenseTech #Hypersonic #DeepTech #FounderSearch #CTO #MakeInIndia #StartupPartnership
Ardhan Research Labs (ARL) is pioneering indigenous turbo-ramjet propulsion technology and hypersonic aerial platforms to transform India's aerospace and defense capabilities. We are developing breakthrough technologies like turbo-ramjet engine, high-speed UAV platform, and dedicated trainers and test beds for high speed aircrafts. To achieve, reusable, hypersonic flight from ground to Mach 5 without external lift-off vehicles. Opportunity We are seeking an exceptional Co-Founder & Chief Technology Officer with investment who will bring both technical leadership and investment to accelerate our mission. This is a rare opportunity to co-build a deep-tech aerospace company from the ground up, leading the development of technologies that will define India's hypersonic capabilities for decades to come. What We are Building We're building critical dual-use technologies that support India's Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative while addressing urgent defense needs in SEAD/DEAD operations, precision strikes, ISR, and force multiplication through attritable platforms. What You will Lead Technical Leadership: One of more of the following domains with Propulsion Systems Development , Aircraft Design and Development , and Additive Manufacturing as being critical. Cross-System Integration & Interface Ownership: This is the CTO's most critical function: ensuring that highly specialized, disparate systems communicate and operate synergistically, guaranteeing overall mission success and safety. Strategic Technical Governance & Scaling: This function requires the CTO to translate deep technical insight into executive strategy, manage organizational risk, and ensure the company can meet future manufacturing and product goals. Industrialization & Compliance: Architect and Govern the large-scale Additive Manufacturing (AM) system workflow from digital twins to final assembly, ensuring high yield (99.9%), cost reduction targets (60%), and AS9100 compliance. Scalability & Roadmap: Develop the comprehensive technical roadmap for scaling the entire platform integration and manufacturing process from initial demonstrators to full production aircraft. Core Domain Mastery & Leadership: T his function is critical for establishing technical credibility and providing the ultimate, hands-on, deep-dive support when a core system encounters a critical failure or roadblock. Domain Veto Power & Validation: Apply decades of hands-on expertise in the core discipline (e.g., Propulsion) to perform high-level design reviews, validate complex algorithms, and serve as the final technical arbiter to resolve intractable problems (e.g., direct the validation strategy for the turbo-ramjet transition algorithms). Technical Team Leadership: Recruit, mentor, and lead the technical executive team (Heads of Propulsion, AM, Airframe, and Avionics), fostering a culture of rigorous engineering, innovation, and cross-functional collaboration. Technical Strategy & Roadmap Define product roadmap from Pathfinder through Commercial Programs (3-10 year horizon) Establish technology development priorities balancing performance, cost, and schedule. Lead IP strategy development and patent filing. Drive Make in India sourcing strategy Position technology portfolio for dual-use applications (defense and civilian). Assess emerging technologies for potential integration (advanced materials, AI/ML, new propulsion concepts). Fundraising & Investor Relations Active participation in all fundraising activities from Pre-seed through Series B rounds Present technical vision and roadmap to venture capital, strategic investors, and defense funds Articulate technology differentiation, competitive advantages, and IP moat to investors Translate complex aerospace engineering into compelling business value propositions Support due diligence processes with technical data, risk assessments, and milestone planning Participate in pitch presentations, investor meetings, and board presentations Help structure technical milestones and development timelines for investment tranches Provide credibility and technical validation during fundraising processes Target: Secure ?15-25 crore in Seed/Series A within 18-24 months, ?50-100 crore Series B by Year 3. Team Development Recruit and lead engineering teams across propulsion, structures, avionics, manufacturing, and testing Establish design review processes and engineering best practices Create engineering culture focused on rapid prototyping, testing, and iteration Mentor junior engineers and foster technical excellence Build performance management systems aligned with program milestones Infrastructure & Operations Establish engine testing facilities with instrumentation and data acquisition. Set up design and simulation infrastructure (CFD/FEA workstations, HPC cluster). Implement product lifecycle management (PLM) and configuration management systems. Ensure lab safety, compliance, and operational efficiency. Investment & Fundraising Participate in fundraising discussions with strategic and financial investors Present technical roadmap to potential partners and customers Support business development efforts with technical expertise Contribute to board-level strategic decisions Value beyond Capitals We're seeking a partner who brings: Deep technical expertise in aerospace propulsion, hypersonic systems, or advanced manufacturing Network within defense/aerospace ecosystem (DRDO, IAF, industry, investors) Credibility to attract follow-on investment and strategic partnerships Active participation in fundraising with ability to articulate technical vision to investors Commitment to building long-term, not just financial returns Required Qualifications Essential Technical Background Education : Degreein Aerospace engineering or related field from a recognized institution. Experience : 10-15+ years in aerospace propulsion, hypersonic systems, or advanced aircraft development. Deep Expertise in one or more areas Combined Cycle Propulsion Systems (mandatory) Supersonic/hypersonic aerodynamics High-temperature materials and thermal management Aerospace structures and composites Propulsion-airframe integration Technical Skills Advanced knowledge of gas dynamics, combustion, and heat transfer Proficiency with CFD/FEA tools (ANSYS, GASP, or equivalent) Experience with engine testing and instrumentation Understanding of flight control systems and avionics integration Familiarity with additive manufacturing for aerospace applications Investment Capability Ability to commit ?30 lakhs - ?1 crore investment for 10 to 15% Equity. Understanding of startup equity structures and long-term value creation Comfort with entrepreneurial risk and uncertainty Highly Desirable Prior experience with DRDO, HAL, Boeing or defense contractors Track record of successful technology commercialization Existing relationships with Indian Armed Forces or defense procurement International experience with hypersonic programs (US, Europe, Japan) Publications in top aerospace journals or patents in propulsion systems Experience with MTCR compliance and defense export regulations Network of aerospace engineers who could join as team members What We Offer Equity & Upside Co-Founder Equity : 10 to 15% stake with standard vesting Long-term Value : Building IP portfolio worth hundreds of crores Protective Provisions : Standard co-founder protections Impact & Mission National Importance : Enabling India's hypersonic capabilities and defense autonomy Technology Leadership : Working on problems that challenge top global aerospace companies Dual-Use Applications : Defense platforms that transition to commercial aviation Team Building : Assembling India's premier hypersonic propulsion team Work Environment Technical Autonomy : Freedom to make engineering decisions and take calculated risks Rapid Iteration : Building at speed of digital tools with 1214-month prototype cycles Cutting-Edge Facilities : Access to AstraForge additive manufacturing and testing infrastructure Collaborative Culture : Working directly with founder and small, high-caliber team Why is this the Right Time Market Timing Defense Modernization : India's defense budget increasing with focus on indigenous tech Hypersonic Race : Global competition in hypersonic weapons and platforms accelerating Atmanirbhar Bharat : Government prioritizing domestic aerospace and defense manufacturing Dual-Use Opportunity : Technologies applicable to both defense and emerging civilian supersonic/hypersonic transport Competitive Position No Direct Competition : No other Indian organization developing complete turbo-ramjet systems for reusable platforms First-Mover Advantage : Establishing capabilities 5-10 years ahead of potential competitors Cost Leadership : AstraForge manufacturing enables 60% cost reduction vs traditional methods Our Values & Culture Technical Excellence: We obsess over getting the physics and engineering right. No shortcuts on safety or performance, but we embrace rapid iteration and learning from failures. Mission-Driven: We're building for India's defense autonomy and technological leadership, not just commercial success. Impact and nation-building are core to our identity. Bias for Action: We move fast, make decisions with imperfect information, and course-correct quickly. The speed of execution is our competitive advantage. Transparency & Collaboration: As co-founders, we'll debate ideas intensely but commit fully once decisions are made. Open communication and mutual respect are non-negotiable. Long-Term Thinking: We're building technology and IP that will compound over decades. Short-term setbacks are expected; persistence and resilience are essential. Contact & Next Steps Ready to co-build India's hypersonic future Primary Contact: Vaibhav Bhatnagar, Founder Email: [HIDDEN TEXT]
Building India's Hypersonic Future: A Search for a Technical Co-Founder We aren't looking for a CTO to manage a department. We are looking for a Co-Founder to help us own the sky. At Ardhan Research Labs (ARL) , we are pioneering indigenous turbo-ramjet propulsion technology to transform India's defense capabilities. From our Shardul Mini engine to the Spearhead UAV platform, we are building the tech that enables reusable, hypersonic flight from ground to Mach 5. This is a high-stakes mission that requires more than technical skillit requires agency and skin in the game . The Partnership: This is an executive recruitment for a Technical Co-Founder & CTO with an investment stake. We are looking for a partner who is ready to invest both their capital (?30L - ?1Cr) and their deep-tech mastery to accelerate our Pathfinder Program. What you will lead Architectural Ownership: Personally owning and validating the critical interfaces between propulsion systems and airframes. Strategic Governance: Translating deep technical insights into executive strategy and managing the roadmap from demonstrators to full production. National Impact: Driving an 80% indigenous Make in India strategy to ensure defense autonomy. Fundraising Leadership: Standing shoulder-to-shoulder with me to present our vision to VCs and strategic investors. You have 15+ years in aerospace propulsion or hypersonic systems. You are tired of the corporate grind and want to own the IP you build. You understand that the biggest rewardsboth financial and nationalcome to those who share the risk. The Stakes 10% to 15% Co-Founder equity. No Cash or Salary. A seat on the Board to shape strategic decisions. The opportunity to build a multi-hundred-crore IP portfolio. We are building at the speed of digital tools with additive manufacturing at the core of our development. If you have the technical chops and the entrepreneurial spirit to invest in yourself and India's future, let's talk. Connect or DM for a confidential discussion. #Aerospace #DefenseTech #Hypersonic #DeepTech #FounderSearch #CTO #MakeInIndia #StartupPartnership