UAV Composite Design Engineer

Yali Aerospace; Thanjavur; On-site; INR 600,000 - 1,000,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual recognition bonus based on performance

Supportive team culture

Job summary

A pioneering aerospace company in Tamil Nadu seeks a Composite Design Engineer to design and develop structural components for fixed-wing UAVs. This role involves creating detailed CAD models, ensuring designs are fabrication-friendly, and collaborating closely with the composites team. Ideal candidates will have at least 2 years of experience in composite structure design, strong skills in SolidWorks or 3DEXPERIENCE CATIA, and a practical understanding of design fundamentals. Opportunities for growth and hands-on work culture are integral to this role.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of hands-on experience designing composite structures (UAV/aerospace/lightweight structures).
• Fixed-wing UAV experience is required.
• Strong CAD skills in SolidWorks and/or 3DEXPERIENCE CATIA.

Responsibilities

• Design composite airframe parts for fixed-wing UAVs.
• Build organized 3D CAD models in SolidWorks or 3DEXPERIENCE CATIA.
• Create clear 2D drawings and release packages for production.

Skills

Designing composite structures

SolidWorks

3DEXPERIENCE CATIA

Communication with fabrication

Tools

PDM/PLM

Job description

UAV Composite Design Engineer (Fixed-Wing) | SolidWorks / 3DEXPERIENCE CATIA | 2+ Years

About the role

We’re looking for a Composite Design Engineer who’s comfortable owning real airframe work—not just pretty CAD. You’ll design the composite skin and internal structure for our fixed-wing UAVs, take parts from early concepts through production-ready releases, and work side‑by‑side with composites, structures, and integration to make sure what we design can actually be built, assembled, and maintained.

What you’ll do

• Design composite airframe parts for fixed-wing UAVs: fuselage shells, wing skins, access panels, fairings, covers, and the internal structure that ties it all together—ribs, spars, bulkheads, frames, stiffeners, mounts.
• Build clean, well‑organized 3D CAD models and assemblies in SolidWorks or 3DEXPERIENCE CATIA, keeping configurations and revisions under control.
• Make designs that are fabrication‑friendly from day one—thinking through bond lines, hard points, inserts, sandwich panels/cores, fastener strategy, trim lines, and load paths.
• Own the interfaces and packaging inside the airframe: battery and avionics bays, harness routing, antennas, payload mounting, cooling/venting, service access, and the little details that save hours during assembly.
• Create clear 2D drawings and release packages (GD&T where it matters, tolerances that make sense, hole callouts, BOMs, assembly details) so production isn’t guessing.
• Support mold/tooling‑ready part design: parting strategy, flanges, datums, locators, alignment features, and all the practical stuff that makes composite parts repeatable.
• Work closely with the composites team to match real processes—vacuum bagging, curing, bonding, trimming, post‑processing—and adjust designs quickly when the shop floor teaches us something.
• Stay involved through builds and test cycles: solve fit issues, drive engineering changes, and keep improving weight, strength, manufacturability, and maintainability.

What we’re looking for

• 2+ years of hands‑on experience designing composite structures (UAV/aerospace/lightweight structures).
• Fixed‑wing UAV experience is required.
• Strong CAD skills in SolidWorks and/or 3DEXPERIENCE CATIA (surfacing and large assemblies are a plus).
• A practical understanding of composite design fundamentals—bonded joints, cores, inserts/hard points, tolerance stack‑ups, and structural interfaces.
• Someone who communicates well with fabrication and production, and can turn feedback into better design fast.

Nice to have

• Experience with prepreg, wet layup, infusion, and honeycomb/foam core structures.
• Exposure to working alongside structures/FEA and basic sizing decisions.
• Familiarity with PDM/PLM and engineering change workflows.

Why join us

• You’ll own meaningful airframe work. This isn’t a “supporting role” where your designs sit on a drive—your parts will fly, and you’ll be involved from concept to build.
• Fast feedback loop. You’ll work closely with composites and integration, see your designs on the shop floor, and iterate quickly instead of waiting weeks for answers.
• Real‑world engineering, not just theory. You’ll design for weight, strength, manufacturability, and maintainability—balancing trade‑offs the way it actually works in UAV programs.
• Room to grow. As the platform scales, you’ll get opportunities to take on larger assemblies, lead sub‑systems, and influence how the airframe is designed and built.
• Hands‑on, problem‑solving culture. We value engineers who roll up their sleeves, ask the right questions, and make practical decisions that move the product forward.
• You’ll be part of a team that supports you. Clear priorities, direct access to the people building and testing, and a culture where good work gets noticed and backed.
• Eligible employees may be considered for an annual recognition bonus, based on performance and company results.