Head Drone Manufacturing

Gopalan Aerospace India Pvt Ltd; Bengaluru; On-site; INR 15,00,000 - 25,00,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading aerospace company in India is seeking a Head of Drone Manufacturing to oversee UAV production processes, ensuring high-quality standards and regulatory compliance. The role requires profound knowledge of aerospace manufacturing, strong leadership capabilities, and a minimum of 15 years of experience in the field. This position offers an opportunity to drive innovation and excellence in drone manufacturing and contribute to strategic initiatives.

Qualifications

• Minimum 15–20 years of experience in manufacturing, with at least 10 years in drone/UAV.
• Exposure to defense, aerospace OEMs, or UAV startups is an advantage.
• Exposure to defense, aerospace OEMs, or UAV startups is an advantage.

Responsibilities

• Oversee end-to-end drone manufacturing operations including assembly, integration, and testing.
• Define and enforce standard operating procedures (SOPs) for manufacturing.
• Collaborate with SCM for sourcing of drone parts and maintain optimal inventory levels.
• Lead a multidisciplinary team of engineers and production staff.
• Develop vendors for high-precision components.
• Lead and train a multidisciplinary team.
• Ensure compliance with aerospace regulations.
• Drive automation and smart manufacturing practices.

Skills

Aerospace or UAV manufacturing

Production planning

Composites

Electronics assembly

Testing

Leadership

Problem-solving

Communication skills

Communication skills

DFM principles

Lean manufacturing

Quality systems

Education

B.E./B.Tech in Mechanical / Aerospace / Mechatronics / Electrical Engineering

M.Tech

Tools

CAD/CAM

PLM

ERP systems

Job description

Role & responsibilities

Job Title: Head Drone Manufacturing

Department: Manufacturing / Operations
Reports To: CEO
Location: Hosakote , Bangalore 562114

Position Overview

The Head Drone Manufacturing will lead the complete manufacturing operations of UAVs and drone systems, ensuring high-quality production, process efficiency, and regulatory compliance. This role demands a deep understanding of aerospace manufacturing standards, UAV integration, supply chain coordination, and cross-functional team leadership to scale production as per market and defense requirements.

Key Responsibilities

1. Production & Operations Management

• Oversee end-to-end drone manufacturing operations including assembly, integration, and testing.
• Develop and implement production schedules to meet delivery targets.
• Ensure adherence to aerospace manufacturing and quality standards (AS9100, ISO 9001).
• Establish lean manufacturing and continuous improvement practices.
• Optimize resource utilization—man, machine, and material.

2. Process & Quality Control

• Define and enforce standard operating procedures (SOPs) for manufacturing.
• Collaborate with Quality Assurance for in-process and final inspections.
• Lead root cause analysis and implement corrective/preventive actions for defects or process deviations.
• Ensure product traceability and documentation compliance.

3. Design for Manufacturability (DFM)

• Work closely with Design and R&D teams for manufacturability reviews.
• Support NPD (New Product Development) transition from prototype to production.
• Evaluate component selection and fabrication feasibility for UAV systems and subsystems.

4. Supply Chain & Vendor Development

• Collaborate with SCM for sourcing of drone parts, composites, electronics, propulsion systems, etc.
• Develop and qualify vendors for high-precision and aerospace-grade components.
• Maintain optimal inventory levels for smooth production flow.

5. Team Leadership & Training

• Lead a multidisciplinary team of engineers, technicians, and production staff.
• Build competency in drone assembly, integration, and maintenance operations.
• Foster a safety, accountability, and innovation-driven culture.

6. Compliance & Documentation

• Ensure compliance with DGCA, MoD, and other aerospace manufacturing regulations.
• Oversee documentation related to production records, calibration, and certification.
• Support audits (internal, customer, and regulatory).

7. Strategic Initiatives

• Drive automation and smart manufacturing practices for UAV assembly lines.
• Contribute to strategic planning for capacity expansion and cost optimization.
• Liaise with customers and senior management for project reviews and technical discussions.

Key Skills & Competencies

• Strong background in aerospace or UAV manufacturing.
• Expertise in production planning, composites, electronics assembly, and testing.
• Knowledge of CAD/CAM, PLM, and ERP systems.
• Excellent leadership, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Understanding of DFM principles, lean manufacturing, and quality systems.

Qualifications

• B.E./B.Tech in Mechanical / Aerospace / Mechatronics / Electrical Engineering (M.Tech preferred).
• Minimum 15–20 years of experience in manufacturing, with at least 10 years in drone/UAV.
• Exposure to defense, aerospace OEMs, or UAV startups is an advantage.

KPIs / KRAs

• Production targets vs. actual output.
• Yield rate and rework reduction.
• On-time delivery and project adherence.
• Cost control and process efficiency improvement.
• Employee productivity and skill enhancement.
• Audit and compliance scores.