Lead- System Integration Engineer

ideaForge; Navi Mumbai; On-site; INR 900,000 - 1,400,000; Full time

Job summary

ideaForge is seeking an experienced Systems Integration Lead to own the integration of mechanical, electrical, propulsion, avionics, software, and payload subsystems into a fully functional UAV platform. You will translate architecture into an integration plan and lead bring-up, test campaigns, and issue resolution.

Based in Navi Mumbai, the role reports to the Head of Systems Engineering and requires hands-on leadership to drive integration from bench to flight-test with a focus on ICDs,

Qualifications

• Experience leading UAV system integration.
• Ability to define and manage ICDs across subsystems.
• Proven track record in test campaigns and integration bring-up.

Responsibilities

• Own the system integration plan and schedule across subsystems.
• Lead and mentor integration & test engineers.
• Define and maintain ICDs across mechanical, electrical, and data interfaces.

Skills

Systems integration

Team leadership

Test engineering

Root-cause analysis

Interface control docs

Troubleshooting

Job description

We are looking for an experienced Systems Integration Lead to own the integration of mechanical, electrical, propulsion, avionics, software, and payload subsystems into a fully functional UAV platform, including hybrid VTOL/fixed-wing configurations. Reporting to the Head of Systems Engineering, you will translate system architecture and interface specifications into a disciplined integration plan, lead bring-up and integration test campaigns, troubleshoot cross-subsystem issues, and ensure the platform integrates cleanly from bench to ground-test to flight-test. This role sits at the operational core of systems engineering — turning subsystem designs delivered by individual engineering teams into a working, verifiable, and flight-ready system.

Key responsibilities

• Own the system integration plan and schedule — sequencing subsystem deliveries, integration builds, and test milestones across propulsion, avionics, GNC/flight controls, structures, payload, and software.
• Lead and mentor a team of integration & test engineers, assigning work, reviewing test procedures, and ensuring disciplined execution of integration activities.
• Define and maintain Interface Control Documents (ICDs) across mechanical, electrical, and data interfaces, ensuring consistency between subsystem designs and the system architecture baseline.
• Plan and execute subsystem-to-system integration: bench integration, electrical/EMI bring-up, harness and connector verification, sensor/payload integration, and ground functional testing.
• Lead root-cause analysis and troubleshooting of integration anomalies (electrical faults, interface mismatches, timing/communication issues, mechanical fit/tolerance issues), driving corrective actions to closure with subsystem owners.
• Develop and execute integration test procedures and acceptance test plans, ensuring traceability to system requirements and verification objectives defined by Systems Engineering.
• Coordinate with propulsion, avionics, software, structures, and payload teams to resolve interface non-conformances and manage configuration changes through the integration cycle.
• Support flight test readiness reviews by ensuring the integrated system has been verified against ground test, EMI/EMC, and functional acceptance criteria prior to flight.
• Maintain integration build records, non-conformance logs, and test data, and report integration status, risks, and blockers to the Head of Systems Engineering and program stakeholders.
• Drive continuous improvement of integration tooling, fixtures, test benches, and procedures to reduce integration cycle time and improve first-pass yield.
• Support vendor and subsystem qualification activities where integration-level testing is required (e.g., propulsion units, avionics boxes, payload pods).