Manager – Electronics & Embedded Systems (UAV)

Title: Manager or Deputy Manager Electronics & Embedded Systems

Role Overview

The Manager or Deputy Manager Electronics & Embedded Systems will lead the design, development, testing and integration of mission-critical electronics for next-generation UAV systems and Loitering Munitions.

This includes flight controllers, power systems & propulsion, sensor integration, communication modules, embedded firmware, battery, safety systems and mission computers.

Key Responsibilities

Electronic System Architecture & Design

• Lead architecture and design of UAV avionics including:
• Define electrical system architecture, wiring harness layouts, ICDs and system-level schematics.
• Flight controller electronics
• Mission computers
• Sensor & navigation modules (IMU, GNSS, magnetometers, barometers)
• Power management systems (BMS, PDB, converters, regulators)
• Telemetry, datalink radio systems and communication encryption
• Redundant and fail-safe electronics

PCB Design & Hardware Development

• Oversee design of high-reliability avionics PCBs (4 - 12+ layers) with mixed-signal, RF and high-speed interfaces.
• Work with embedded hardware tools (Altium, KiCAD, Cadence Allegro) for schematic capture & layout.
• Ensure compliance with EMI/EMC standards, grounding principles, thermal management and robust mechanical protection.
• Prepare component selection, validation and vendor qualification for aerospace-grade electronics.

Embedded Firmware & Software Integration

• Lead development of real-time embedded firmware for UAV systems using C/C++ (ARM, STM32, ESP32, PIC, etc.).
• Interfacing with sensors (I2C, SPI, UART, CAN, RS485), GPS modules, IMU fusion and telemetry protocols.
• Develop and optimize firmware for control loops, sensor fusion, flight logic and safety-critical routines.
• Integrate custom electronics with PX4/ Ardupilot or proprietary autopilot stacks.
• Support bootloader development, OTA firmware update architecture and secure firmware pipelines.

System Integration & Testing

• Lead integration of electronics with propulsion, mechanical systems, autopilot, payloads, battery and communication systems.
• Conduct ground tests: HIL/SIL, EMI/EMC testing, thermal tests, vibration tests, drop tests and environmental qualification.
• Troubleshoot complex hardware/software interactions, signal integrity issues and performance bottlenecks.
• Support flight-testing campaigns with root-cause analysis and rapid design iteration.

Power & Communication Systems

• Design robust power architectures for UAVs including: Battery systems, BMS, smart power switching, Power redundancy, isolation, filtering, High-current distribution for propulsion systems
• Develop and integrate datalinks (S-band/C-band/LTE/Mesh radios) and encrypted communication modules
• Ensure compliance with defence communication standards with Anti-jamming & Anti-spoofing resilience.

Documentation & Compliance

• Create detailed design documents, test reports, BOMs, qualification matrices and change logs.
• Ensure compliance with aerospace/defence standards: MIL-STD-461, MIL-STD-810, STANAG, DGCA, CEMILAC, JSS-55555 and defence certification requirements
• Drive PDRs, CDRs and design review cycles with internal teams and customers.

Team Leadership & Coordination

• Mentor a team of embedded engineers, hardware engineers and test engineers.
• Plan work distribution, project timelines and deliverables across multiple UAV programs.
• Collaborate with software, mechanical, GNC and manufacturing teams.
• Ensure a culture of collaboration, humility and disciplined engineering.

Required Skills & Experience

Technical Expertise

• B.Tech/ M.Tech/ MS in Electronics, Electrical, Embedded Systems or related fields.
• 5 - 12 years of experience in UAV, aerospace, robotics or defence electronics.
• Strong command of embedded electronics design, PCB layout and real-time firmware.
• Expertise with STM32/ARM Cortex microcontroller families and RTOS environments.
• Working knowledge of PX4/Ardupilot integration and flight control electronics.
• Experience with RF systems, datalinks, and antenna integration.
• Proficiency in hardware debugging tools: oscilloscopes, logic analysers, spectrum analysers.
• Strong understanding of sensor fusion, navigation sensors, IMU/GNSS integration.
• Understanding of power systems, converters, BMS, MOSFET/ESC control circuits.
• Hands-on experience taking electronics from concept prototype tested production.
• Experience managing or mentoring engineering teams.
• Experience in loitering munitions, swarming platforms, high-reliability UAVs, or mission-critical avionics.
• Exposure to cybersecurity, secure communication, and encryption modules.
• Experience with DO-160/DO-254 aerospace certification processes.