Senior System Engineer

Who are we:

We Build Mission-Ready, Cutting-Edge Intelligent Autonomous Systems

From battlefield supremacy to stratospheric dominance, NewSpace Research & Technologies (NRT) is redefining aerospace and defence with intelligent autonomous systems built for the worlds most demanding missions. Trusted by the Indian Armed Forces across all services, NRT delivers breakthrough unmanned platforms that enable speed, survivability, multi-domain mission flexibility, and strategic superiority.

NewSpace Research & Technologies (NRT), founded in 2017, is a global leader in swarming technologies, autonomous robotics, and advanced aerospace systems for defense applications. With a workforce of over 600 professionals across 12 facilities worldwidenearly 70% focused on research and developmentNRT has designed and fielded more than 15 proprietary multirotor and fixed-wing platforms. The companys core expertise spans large-scale UAV swarms, AI-enabled autonomous coordination, and persistent unmanned systems, all validated through rigorous operational deployment in real-world conflict environments.

Job Description

Role Overview

The N-CCAV Program Flight Operations Lead will be responsible for planning, managing, coordinating, and executing all aspects of flight test operations for the N-CCAV (Naval Collaborative Combat Aerial Vehicle) program.

The role demands strong systems knowledge and technical understanding of UAV flight trials, systems qualification & certification requirements, and operational compliance. The selected candidate will serve as the key interface between engineering & test teams and Indian military certification authorities to ensure safe, compliant, and efficient test operations aligned with program objectives and milestones.

Key Responsibilities

Test Preparation

Plan, coordinate, and oversee pre-flight activities, including ground checks, necessary clearances, support requirements, instrumentation, telemetry setup, and test readiness.

Ensure availability of test assets, including UAVs, payloads, test rigs, telemetry systems, instrumentation, external assets, and other resources for successful execution of test campaigns.

Liaise with range authorities, internal safety boards, and regulatory authorities to obtain necessary permissions and approvals.

Test Planning and Development

Develop comprehensive flight test plans, including test cards, mission profiles, and performance evaluation criteria.

Align test objectives with engineering validation goals and program milestones.

Manage risk assessments and implement mitigation measures before each campaign.

Validation and Verification (V&V)

Conduct V&V of design and performance requirements from a flight test perspective, ensuring traceability to technical specifications.

Coordinate with design and systems teams to close test findings and implement corrective actions.

Documentation and Reporting

Ensure detailed flight test documentation is maintained, including test schedules, mission summaries, test results, and incident logs.

Prepare or oversee preparation of flight test reports, debrief presentations, and data packages for internal and external reviews.

Contribute to technical documentation required for design validation, audits, and milestone reviews.

Compliance and Standards

Ensure all operational and engineering practices comply with specified military or other regulatory standards and relevant aeronautical quality systems.

Drive adherence to flight safety and operational discipline across the test team.

Maintain liaison with QA and certification bodies to uphold compliance during all stages of development and testing.

Certification and Approvals

Prepare and submit required documentation for approvals.

Coordinate with CEMILAC to support flight clearance and certification activities, including conformity inspections and design validation packages.

Track certification progress and ensure timely closure of all audit findings or technical observations.

Qualifications and Experience

Bachelors degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related discipline (Masters preferred).

810 years of experience in flight test operations, preferably in the UAV, aerospace, or defense sector.

In-depth understanding of Indian military and civil airworthiness standards.

Proven track record of handling certification processes and interactions with regulatory bodies.

Hands-on experience in flight test data analysis and post-flight review procedures.

Strong organizational, leadership, and team-coordination skills.

Excellent verbal and written communication skills, capable of preparing technical documentation and briefings.

Preferred Attributes

Prior experience working in iDEX, DRDO, or MoD-linked UAV programs.

Familiarity with autonomous flight systems, payload integration, and system-of-systems testing.

Demonstrated ability to operate in multi-disciplinary teams under tight program timelines.

Knowledge of Flight Safety Management Systems (FSMS).