Head of Mechanical Engineering

Unnayan Defence Technologies; Hyderabad; On-site; INR 4,000,000 - 7,000,000; Full time

Job summary

Unnayan Defence Technologies in Hyderabad seeks a Head of Mechanical Engineering to lead the design, development, qualification, and productionization of next‑generation defence systems, smart munitions, and weapon platforms.

You will drive mechanical architecture, mentor a high‑performance team, ensure MIL-STD and environmental qualification compliance, and collaborate across Electronics, Embedded Systems, Software, and Systems Engineering to deliver rugged, manufacturable solutions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• Experience in defence, aerospace or complex electromechanical products is essential.
• Strong hands-on CAD/CAE and product development skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end mechanical design, development, qualification and productionization of defence systems.
• Develop launcher mechanisms, munition subsystems, actuation and structural assemblies.
• Own product architecture, packaging and ruggedization for defence applications.
• Lead validation, environmental qualification, and field trials.
• Collaborate with Electronics, Embedded, Software and Systems teams.
• Drive manufacturing readiness, DFM/DFA, cost optimization and scalability.
• Establish and manage supplier ecosystem for prototype to production.
• Build and mentor a high-performance mechanical engineering team.
• Ensure compliance with MIL-STD, JSS, safety and environmental requirements.

Skills

Defence industry experience

Mechanical design leadership

System architecture

Structural analysis & simulation

DFM / DFA

Manufacturing readiness

CAD/CAE tools

Team leadership

Multidisciplinary collaboration

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Mechanical/Aerospace/Mechatronics/Manufacturing Engineering

Tools

CATIA

SolidWorks

Creo

NX

ANSYS

Abaqus

Job description

Industry: Defence Technology / Smart Munitions & Weapon Platforms

About the Role:

Job Description– Head of Mechanical Engineering

Position Overview:

We are seeking an experienced Head of Mechanical Engineering to lead the design, development, qualification, and productionization of next-generation defence systems, smart munitions, and weapon platforms. The role will be responsible for driving mechanical architecture, product engineering, prototyping, testing, manufacturing readiness, and lifecycle support for mission-critical products. The successful candidate will build and lead the mechanical engineering organization while working closely with founders, customers, and cross functional engineering teams.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the end-to-end mechanical design, development, qualification, and productionization of advanced defence systems, smart munitions, and weapon platforms.
• Develop and oversee launcher mechanisms, munition subsystems, actuation systems, structural assemblies, and associated mechanical subsystems.
• Own product architecture, structural design, packaging, and ruggedization for defence applications.
• Lead design validation, reliability testing, environmental qualification, and field trials.
• Collaborate closely with Electronics, Embedded Systems, Software, and Systems Engineering teams.
• Drive Design for Manufacturing (DFM), Design for Assembly (DFA), cost optimization, manufacturability, and production scalability.
• Establish and manage a reliable supplier ecosystem including machining, fabrication, coatings, heat treatment, assembly, and component vendors to support prototype and production requirements
• Build, mentor, and lead a high-performance mechanical engineering team.
• Ensure compliance with applicable defence and aerospace standards, including MIL-STD, JSS, quality, reliability, safety, and environmental qualification requirements throughout the product lifecycle

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Mechatronics, Manufacturing Engineering or related field.

Required Skills

• 12–20yearsofexperience in defence, aerospace, weapon systems, smart munitions, launch systems, UAVs, missiles, robotics, or complex electromechanical products.
• Mechanical system architecture and product design
• Structural analysis, simulation, and failure analysis
• Launch dynamics, recoil, shock, and vibration environments
• Mechatronics and actuation systems
• Manufacturing engineering and productionization
• Design for Manufacturing (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA)
• Qualification and environmental testing
• Strong hands‑on experience with CAD, simulation, and engineering analysis tools such as CATIA, SolidWorks, Creo, NX, ANSYS, Abaqus, or equivalent platforms.
• Proven experience leading multidisciplinary engineering teams across product development, testing, manufacturing, and qualification activities.

Preferred Skills:

• What Success Looks Like in This Role
• Build and lead a high‑performing mechanical engineering organization capable of supporting multiple defence product programs.
• Deliver complex defence products from concept through qualification, field trials, and production readiness.

Preferred Candidates are:

• Preferred Immediate joiners or 15 days' Notice period