Lead Experimental Aerodynamics & Ground Test Center

The ePlane Company; Chennai District; On-site; INR 1,800,000 - 2,400,000; Full time

Job summary

The ePlane Company in Chennai, India, seeks a Lead for the Experimental Department to drive prototype and test programs for eVTOL aircraft programs. You will oversee experimental builds, testing, data analysis, and regulatory alignment toward certification readiness.

The ideal candidate has 5–7 years hands-on leadership in aerospace experimental or prototype development, with strong knowledge of aerodynamics, propulsion, avionics, and safety practices, and a proven ability to manage

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field.
• 5–7 years hands-on experience in experimental or prototype development within aerospace.
• Proven experience leading prototype builds and test campaigns.
• Strong knowledge of aerodynamics, flight controls, propulsion, energy systems, and structural design.

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.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Communication

Aerospace engineering knowledge

Regulatory compliance

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field

Tools

Data acquisition systems

Test instrumentation

Flight test software

Job description

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. The ideal candidate will bring 5 - 7 years of hands‑on experience managing experimental builds and test programs within the aerospace domain—preferably in electric, hybrid, or vertical flight systems.

Key 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.