Designer – UAV Systems

Role Overview

As Lead Designer, you will be responsible for end-to-end industrial and mechanical design of UAV platforms and mission payloads. You will collaborate with defense stakeholders, product teams, and engineers to translate operational needs into robust, manufacturable designs that can withstand the harshest battlefield conditions.

This role requires a blend of creative design thinking and deep technical expertise, with a focus on mission-critical reliability and compliance with defense standards.

You will also establish design processes and mentor a growing design team as we scale.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design of rugged UAV systems, payload housings, ground control equipment, and mission accessories.
• Work with product and defense teams to translate operational requirements into practical, manufacturable designs.
• Create CAD models, detailed engineering drawings, and prototypes optimized for weight, performance, and durability.
• Ensure compliance with military standards (MIL-STD) for environmental, shock, vibration, and electromagnetic compatibility.
• Collaborate with structural and aerodynamics engineers to integrate form, function, and stealth considerations.
• Drive design reviews, field usability assessments, and mission simulations.
• Partner with manufacturing teams to ensure design for manufacturability (DFM) and design for reliability (DFR).
• Manage suppliers for prototyping, tooling, and production of mission-critical components.
• Establish internal design best practices, documentation standards, and quality benchmarks.

Key Requirements

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Industrial Design, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or equivalent.
• 4+ years of experience in product design, with 3+ years in defense, aerospace, or robotics industries.
• Expertise in CAD and PLM tools (CATIA).
• Proven experience in designing rugged, lightweight UAVs or military hardware.
• Knowledge of composite structures, ballistic materials, and thermal management.
• Familiarity with MIL-STD compliance and defense qualification processes.
• Strong background in design for field maintenance and rapid deployment.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to interact with defense clients and military operators.
• Leadership experience in mentoring and managing design teams.

Nice-to-Have Skills

• Hands-on prototyping with composite fabrication, additive manufacturing, and rapid prototyping tools.
• Experience designing autonomous or GNSS-denied UAV platforms.
• Exposure to ballistic protection design or stealth-oriented design techniques.
• Knowledge of aerodynamics, CFD, FEA, and structural analysis.
• Experience with defense R&D labs, DRDO projects, or armed forces collaboration.

Why Join Us?

• Build mission-critical UAVs that directly impact national security.
• Take ownership of the design vision and strategy at a fast-scaling defense startup.
• Collaborate with elite engineers, defense veterans, and military stakeholders.

Competitive compensation with equity and long-term growth opportunities

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: ₹500,000.00 - ₹800,000.00 per year

Work Location: In person