Job Description
As Avionics Lead, you will own the end-to-end design, integration, and validation of the autopilot and flight control systems for ideaForge''s YETI UAV programme. This is a hands-on technical leadership role — you will lead a team of avionics and GNC engineers while remaining the principal technical contributor for autopilot configuration, GNC algorithm development, and flight test execution. You will work at the intersection of embedded systems, control theory, and aerospace engineering, taking the aircraft from bench integration to certified autonomous flight.
Technical Leadership
- Lead a team of avionics and GNC engineers — define tasks, conduct technical reviews, mentor junior engineers, and drive ownership of subsystem deliverables.
- Own the avionics system architecture: autopilot hardware selection, sensor suite, datalink, and power interfaces, from concept through certification.
- Serve as technical authority for all flight controls decisions; represent the avionics team at programme reviews, design reviews, and regulatory interactions.
- Identify and manage avionics programme risks; produce and maintain the avionics V&V matrix aligned to certification requirements.
- Manage relationships with autopilot and avionics hardware vendors — drive issue resolution, firmware change requests, and technical escalations.
Autopilot Development & Configuration
- Configure, integrate, and tune commercial autopilot platforms for VTOL and fixed-wing flight modes, including inner-loop attitude control, outer-loop guidance, and transition management.
- Develop and validate control laws for VTOL hover, VTOL-to-FW transition corridor, and fixed-wing cruise — from initial parameterisation through flight test envelope expansion.
- Design and implement gain scheduling or adaptive control strategies for varying payload, altitude, and environmental conditions.
- Programme and validate autonomous mission modes — waypoint navigation, RTH logic, geofencing, and degraded-mode operation under sensor or communication loss.
GNC Algorithms & Sensor Integration
- Design, implement, and validate GNC algorithms — trajectory planning, attitude estimation, and flight control — in both simulation and hardware environments.
- Integrate and calibrate sensors; design and validate the sensor fusion architecture.
- Perform linear and nonlinear stability analysis of control loops; produce frequency-domain and time-domain performance budgets for attitude hold, altitude hold, and lateral guidance.
- Design, implement, and maintain HIL and SIL test environments; define go/no-go criteria for progression from simulation to flight.
- Integrate control algorithms with motor controllers and ESCs via PWM, CAN, or UART interfaces; validate signal integrity across the full operating envelope.
Verification, Validation & Flight Test
- Lead the SIL HIL ground test flight test progression; plan and execute test campaigns with defined entry/exit criteria at each gate.
- Execute and oversee flight test operations — tethered hover, free hover, envelope expansion, transition flight — with full safety discipline and real-time telemetry monitoring.
- Perform post-flight data analysis; diagnose anomalies, update parameters, and iterate the control design based on flight evidence.
- Prepare avionics-related technical documentation for airworthiness submission: FMEA, Software Quality Assurance Plan, test reports, and system specifications per CEMILAC / DGCA requirements.
- Support product qualification and certification activities; interface with regulatory bodies as the technical lead for avionics and flight controls.
Educational Background
- Bachelor''s degree (B.Tech / B.E.) in Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Avionics, Aerospace / Aeronautical Engineering, Automation, or a directly related field. Essential.
- Master''s degree (M.Tech / M.S. / M.E.) in Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Avionics, Aerospace / Aeronautical Engineering, Automation, or a directly related field. Preferred.
- Ph.D in Control Systems, Guidance & Navigation, Robotics, or Aerospace Engineering is desirable, particularly for candidates with strong hand-ons experience in GNC.
- Equivalent professional experience with recognised aerospace or defence certifications considered on a case-by-case basis.
Work Experience
- 10+ years of relevant professional experience in UAV avionics, flight controls, or embedded aerospace systems.
- At least 3 years on rotary-wing or multi-rotor VTOL platforms — including autopilot tuning, ground test, and flight test involvement.
- At least 2 years in a technical lead or senior individual contributor role, with demonstrated responsibility for subsystem delivery and team coordination.
- Demonstrated experience taking a UAV platform from bench integration through to autonomous flight — simulation-only backgrounds will not suffice.
- Experience with CEMILAC, DGCA, FAA, or EASA certification / qualification activities is a strong advantage.
