Lead Experimental Aerodynamics

The Eplane Company; Chennai District; On-site; INR 2,500,000 - 5,000,000; Full time

Job summary

The Eplane Company is seeking an experienced Lead Experimental Department to head prototype and experimental development for our eVTOL aircraft programs, overseeing build, integration, and testing of full-scale and subscale prototypes to validate core technologies and readiness for certification.

You will lead a multidisciplinary team, manage test facilities, coordinate with design, propulsion, avionics, and safety teams, and drive innovation in test methodologies while ensuring regulatory

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's in Aerospace/Mechanical engineering.
• 5-7 years hands-on experimental or prototype development.
• Experience managing prototype builds and cross-functional teams.
• Knowledge of aerodynamics, flight controls, propulsion, energy systems, and structures.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end development of experimental and prototype eVTOL aircraft through testing and validation.
• Supervise prototype assembly, integration, ground and flight tests, ensuring safety and performance targets.
• Develop and maintain test plans, procedures, and documentation.
• Mentor a multidisciplinary experimental engineering team.
• Oversee facilities and labs, ensuring safety and quality standards.
• Coordinate with design, propulsion, avionics teams to resolve issues.
• Lead data analysis, post-test reviews, and reporting for design iteration.
• Define budgets, timelines, and resource allocation.
• Collaborate with flight test, certification, and safety teams to align testing with regulations.
• Drive continuous innovation in processes and methodologies.

Skills

Aerospace Eng

Leadership

Project Mgmt

Data Analysis

Flight Test Data

Regulatory Compliance

Team Leadership

Education

Bachelors/Masters in Aerospace or Mechanical

Tools

Data Acquisition Systems

Test Automation

Flight Test Instrumentation

Job description

Job Summary

The Lead Experimental Department will lead all prototype and experimental development activities for the company's eVTOL aircraft programs. This includes overseeing the experimental activities, build, integration, and testing of full-scale and subscale prototypes to validate key technologies and ensure readiness for certification and production.

Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end development of experimental and prototype eVTOL aircrafts through testing and validation.
• Supervise prototype assembly, integration, ground, and flight test activities, ensuring safety and performance targets are met.
• Develop, implement, and maintain test plans, procedures, and documentation for all experimental programs.
• Manage and mentor a multidisciplinary experimental engineering team, including technicians and test engineers.
• Oversee experimental facilities, workshops, and test labs, ensuring compliance with all safety and quality standards.
• Coordinate with design, systems, propulsion, and avionics teams to resolve technical issues and optimize designs based on test outcomes.
• Lead data analysis, post-test reviews, and reporting, providing actionable insights for design iteration and certification readiness.
• Define and manage budgets, timelines, and resource allocation for all experimental projects.
• Collaborate with flight test, certification, and safety teams to align experimental testing with regulatory requirements (FAA, EASA, DGCA, etc.).
• Drive continuous innovation and improvement in experimental processes, tooling, and methodologies.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field.
• 5-7 years of hands-on experience in experimental or prototype development within aerospace, preferably eVTOL, UAV, or advanced air mobility projects.
• Proven experience managing prototype builds, test campaigns, and cross-functional engineering teams.
• Strong knowledge of aerodynamics, flight controls, electric propulsion, energy systems, and structural design.
• Familiarity with ground and flight test instrumentation, data acquisition systems, and test automation.
• Deep understanding of aerospace safety practices and regulatory compliance.
• Strong leadership, project management, and communication skills.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, innovation-driven environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in propulsion systems
• Knowledge of composite structures, avionics integration, and battery systems.
• Exposure to flight test planning, telemetry systems, and certification processes.
• Experience in startup or R&D-focused aerospace environments.

Key Attributes

• Innovative thinker with strong technical depth and problem-solving skills.
• Hands-on leader capable of balancing strategic direction with practical execution.
• Safety-first mindset with high attention to detail.
• Passionate about the future of electric and vertical flight technologies.