R&D Lead

ESP Engineered; Hyderabad; On-site; INR 2,000,000 - 4,000,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive health insurance

Relocation assistance

Daily travel stipend

Advanced salary credit

Job summary

ESP Engineered, based in Hyderabad, is seeking a highly experienced R&D leader to drive innovation in precision agriculture through advanced drone technologies. The ideal candidate will have 15+ years leading R&D initiatives, particularly in the aerospace or high-performance hardware sectors, and possess strong leadership skills. Compensation includes comprehensive health insurance, relocation assistance, and advanced salary credit. Join our passionate team and make a meaningful impact in the agricultural industry.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of experience in R&D leadership roles within Defence / Space / Navy / Army / Air Force sectors.
• Demonstrated track record of successful project management and strategic planning.
• Experience in developing and implementing cost-effective, innovative solutions.

Responsibilities

• Drive the ideation and structuring of R&D sub-projects.
• Break down complex problems into actionable components.
• Apply a disciplined, first-principles approach to R&D.
• Balance innovation and curiosity with accountability.
• Build and scale the R&D function by mentoring engineers.

Skills

R&D leadership

Technical expertise in aerospace

Project management

Cross-discipline integration

Innovation in high-performance hardware

Education

Bachelor’s/Master’s degree in Engineering, Technology, Business

Job description

Marut Drones is India's leading Industrial Drone Manufacturer based in Hyderabad. Known for our powerful and innovative drones, we have developed popular models like Agri copter for precision agriculture, Hepicopter for long-range deliveries, Seed copter for afforestation, and Marut ZAP for mosquito eradication and disease prediction.

Marut Drones has been recognized with numerous prestigious awards for its innovation and contributions to various sectors. These accolades include the FICCI Award for Sustainable Agriculture , the Telangana State Industries Award 2022 for Best Startup , the NASSCOM Emerging Technology Award for Drones and AI , and the South India Business Award . These awards highlight the company's commitment to excellence, sustainability, and its transformative impact across industries.

Job Description

We exist to transform how agriculture works — through precision, automation, and intelligent aerial solutions. While we have specialized teams for spraying systems, imaging, and flight mechanics, R&D connects it all. It’s where electrical, mechanical, software, and agronomy expertise intersect to create technology that truly empowers farmers.

To design an Agri-drone that can precisely spray fertilizers, pesticides, or nutrients over vast terrains, there is zero margin for error. Every gram in the drone’s structure matters, every sensor must be finely tuned, and every flight algorithm rigorously tested to ensure safety, efficiency, and reliability in tough field conditions.

R&D is how we redefine modern farming from the sky. It’s where curiosity meets purpose — where we question the norms of agriculture, explore new frontiers in crop intelligence, and build the tools that make farming smarter, more sustainable, and more productive.

Key Responsibilities

• Drive the ideation and structuring of R&D sub-projects—whether focused on improving quality, reliability, payload to weight ratio etc., or building new features to enhance aircraft capabilities.
• Break down complex problems into actionable components and lead them through to successful completion.
• Apply a disciplined, first-principles approach to R&D, ensuring every decision is supported by data, sound reasoning, and optimal pathways to solution.
• Balance innovation and curiosity with accountability to timelines, performance standards, and deployment readiness.
• Build and scale the R&D function by mentoring engineers, establishing sub-verticals, and embedding a culture of high-quality innovation.

Knowledge and skill required

• Demonstrated experience leading R&D initiatives in aerospace, automotives, or other high-performance hardware domains. (Exp: 15+ Years)
• Deep technical expertise in at least one core area (mechanical, electrical, software, controls, or materials) with the ability to integrate across disciplines.
• A proven ability to take prototypes from concept through rigorous testing to functional, reliable systems.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to guide sprints, set priorities, and scale an R&D team in a high-velocity environment.
• A mindset rooted in first-principles thinking, with curiosity to challenge fundamentals and creativity to develop novel solutions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s/Master’s degree in Engineering, Technology, Business, or a related field.
• 15+ years of experience in R&D leadership roles within Defence / Space / Navy / Army / Air Force sectors.
• Demonstrated track record of successful project management and strategic planning.
• Experience in developing and implementing cost-effective, innovative solutions.

Compensation

• Comprehensive health insurance to keep you and your loved ones covered
• Relocation assistance and a daily travel stipend to ease your commute
• Advanced salary credit to support you when you need it

A driven, passionate team where you’ll have room to grow and thrive - this is more than just a job, it’s a rare opportunity to build something meaningful from the ground up