Senior Engineer Propulsion Design

Nicheforge; Navi Mumbai; On-site; INR 1,600,000 - 2,400,000; Full time

Job summary

Nicheforge in Navi Mumbai is seeking a Propulsion Team Lead to own the end-to-end development of the Power Loop propulsion system for next-gen UAVs. You will architect, integrate, and troubleshoot motor, ESC, and propeller subsystems, driving performance targets from concept to flight-ready solutions.

The role blends technical mastery with strategic vendor management and cross-functional leadership, demanding a player-coach mindset to negotiate with global vendors while conducting precision

Qualifications

• Experience leading propulsion system development for UAVs.
• Strong vendor management and cross-functional leadership skills.
• Hands-on capability in propulsion system testing and RCA.
• Knowledge of PLM systems for version control and workflows.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop propulsion systems to meet power-to-weight and endurance targets.
• Integrate motor, ESC, and propeller for peak efficiency across the flight envelope.
• Conduct thrust-to-power mapping and thermal endurance tests.
• Source and assess global and domestic propulsion vendors.
• Lead technical negotiations and maintain supplier relationships.
• Drive customization of windings and ESC firmware for product needs.
• Lead propulsion RCA investigations and implement permanent solutions.
• Represent propulsion in cross-functional team meetings; translate data for Airframe, Electronics, Software teams.
• Establish propulsion standards and testing protocols for safety and performance.

Skills

Propulsion design

Systems integration

Vendor management

Cross-functional leadership

Root cause analysis

PLM & Windchill

CAD: Creo

Thermal testing

Bench testing

Negotiation

Tools

Windchill PLM

Creo CAD

Job description

POSITION OVERVIEW

As the Propulsion Team Lead, you will be the primary architect of the "Power Loop." You will own the entire lifecycle of the propulsion systemcomprising the Motor, ESC, and Propeller—from initial conceptualization based on flight performance targets to final integration and troubleshooting. This is a high-visibility role requiring a blend of technical mastery, strategic vendor management, and cross-functional leadership. This role requires a "player-coach" mindset—someone who can negotiate with global vendors in the morning and perform high-precision bench testing independently in the afternoon.

JOB DESCRIPTION

• Design & Development: Drive the selection and customization of propulsion systems to meet stringent power-to-weight ratios and endurance targets for next-gen UAV platforms.
• Systems Integration & Optimization: Ensure the seamless synergy between the Motor, ESC, and Propeller. You will be responsible for characterizing the propulsion system to achieve peak efficiency and reliability across the flight envelope.
• Independent Testing: Hands-on execution of propulsion system characterization, including thrust-to-power mapping and thermal endurance.
• Strategic Sourcing & Vendor Management: Identify and vet global and domestic vendors for high-performance components.
• Lead technical negotiations and manage relationships to ensure quality and supply chain resilience.
• Drive component customization (e.g., custom windings, specialized ESC firmware) to meet specific product needs.
• Root Cause Analysis (RCA): Act as the technical "detective" for propulsion-related failures or performance gaps. You will lead the investigation, identify the root cause, and implement permanent engineering solutions.
• Cross-Functional Leadership (CFT): Represent the propulsion team in Cross-Functional Team meetings. You must translate complex propulsion data into actionable insights for the Airframe, Electronics, and Software teams.
• Standards & Compliance: Establish and maintain internal propulsion standards and testing protocols to ensure every unit meets safety and performance benchmarks.
• Interface design: Knowledge of modular interface design between propulsion unit and propulsion unit to UAV. Knowledge of CAD tools (Creo) is an added advantage.
• PLM Integration
• Experienced in Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) systems for version control, workflows, and digital thread management.
• Familiarity with Windchill PLM or equivalent for part structures