Drone Research Engineer

Position: Drone Research Engineer

Department R&D – Autonomous Systems

Location Gurugram, Haryana (On-site / Field)

Experience Minimum 3 Years

Qualification B.Tech / M.Tech – Electronics / Avionics / Electrical / Mechatronics/ Aerospace

Employment Type Full-Time

About Airbotix

Airbotix Technology Pvt. Ltd. is a DIPP-recognised deep-tech defence startup working on unmanned

systems. Our work spans drone light shows, tethered aerostats (iDEX ADITI-2.0 awardee). We are a

team of engineers, ex-defence professionals, and innovators driven by a singular mission: to build

cutting-edge autonomous platforms for India's security and commercial sectors.

Role Overview

We are looking for a technically sharp and hands-on Drone Research Engineer to join our R&D team.

The ideal candidate will have deep expertise in ArduPilot-based flight stack development, flight log

analysis, and avionics integration. This role demands both lab-bench precision and field-readiness —

You will be expected to tune, troubleshoot, and fly.

Key Responsibilities

Flight Stack & Autopilot Development

• Configure, tune, and validate ArduPilot-based autopilots for multi-rotors.

• Perform systematic PID tuning using Mission Planner, QGroundControl, and MAVProxy

• Analyse flight logs (BIN/TLOG) to diagnose issues, including oscillations, vibration, and compass

interference, GPS anomalies, and attitude errors

• Define and validate ArduPilot parameters for varied mission profiles.

Avionics & Electronics Integration

• Design and integrate avionics sub-systems: flight controllers, ESCs, BECs, power distribution, RF

modules, and companion computers.

• Select and integrate sensors — RTK/GNSS modules, IMUs, magnetometers, barometers, and

optical flow sensors

• Perform bench testing and in-field validation of new hardware configurations

• Develop and maintain wiring harnesses, payload interfaces, and power architecture

documentation

Mission Planning & Field Operations

• Plan and execute autonomous missions using Mission Planner and custom GCS interfaces

• Configure geofencing, failsafes, RTL, and terrain-following for complex operational environments

• Conduct pre-flight checks, flight tests, and post-flight data reviews

• Support show drone operations, including RTK GPS setup, antenna optimisation, and swarm

coordination

Research & Development

• Contribute to Airbotix R&D programmes including ADITI-2.0 .

• Prototype and evaluate new UAV configurations, propulsion systems, and sensor payloads

• Stay current with emerging autopilot firmware, MAVLink protocol updates, and open-source

drone ecosystem developments

Required Skills & Competencies

Must-Have (Technical)

• ArduPilot – parameter tuning, SITL simulation, firmware customisation

• Mission Planner – mission creation, live telemetry analysis, log review

• Flight Log Analysis – BIN file parsing using UAV Log Viewer, ArduPilot Log Analyzer, or

custom scripts

• Electronics / Avionics – power systems, ESC calibration, sensor wiring, EMI mitigation

• B.Tech / M.Tech in Electronics, Avionics, Electrical, Mechatronics, or Aerospace

Engineering

Good to Have

• Experience with RTK GPS systems (u-blox F9P)

• MAVLink protocol understanding and custom MAVLink message development

• Python or C++ scripting for autopilot integration and data analysis

• Experience with tethered UAVs, aerostats, or AUV navigation systems

• Familiarity with RF systems — telemetry radios, antenna selection, link budget

Experience Requirements

Minimum 3 years of hands-on experience in UAV hardware/software development, with demonstrable work on ArduPilot-based platforms

Preferred Experience in defence/government UAV projects, iDEX / DIO engagements, or DRDO-affiliated R&D work

What We Offer

• Opportunity to work on cutting-edge defence and deep-tech UAV programmes

• Direct exposure to iDEX / ADITI-2.0 / MoD-funded projects

• Field deployments for drone light shows, defence trials, and system integration events

• Competitive compensation with performance-linked incentives

• Fast-paced, mission-driven culture with real engineering impact