System Integration Engineer

ideaForge; Navi Mumbai; On-site; INR 2,500,000 - 4,500,000; 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, including hybrid VTOL/fixed-wing configurations.

You will translate system architecture into an integration plan, lead bring-up and test campaigns, troubleshoot cross-subsystem issues, and ensure flight readiness from bench to flight-test with a strong focus on interface control and verification.

Responsibilities

• Own the system integration plan and schedule across propulsion, avionics, software, structures, payload, and data interfaces.
• Lead and mentor a team of integration & test engineers, assigning work and reviewing procedures.
• Define and maintain Interface Control Documents (ICDs) across mechanical, electrical, and data interfaces.
• Plan and execute subsystem-to-system integration: bench integration, harness verification, sensor/payload integration, and ground tests.
• Coordinate with subsystem teams to resolve interface non-conformances and manage configuration changes.

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).