Overview

This role covers the selection, integration, calibration and testing of internal-combustion propulsion systems for unmanned aircraft. The candidate works with the mechanical, aerostructures and electrical teams to adapt engine hardware, installations and controls to aircraft performance and mission requirements.

Core Responsibilities

1. Select and match engines and propellers to mission requirements, including performance at altitude and fuel consumption.
2. Design fuel, air-intake, cooling and exhaust systems, and define installation requirements for the mechanical and structures engineers, including mount loads, vibration isolation and clearances.
3. Set up and calibrate engine control units (ECUs) to control electronic fuel injection (EFI) and ignition, and tune engine operation across the required operating range.
4. Plan and carry out engine test programmes. Specify the test bench and instrumentation with the mechanical and electrical engineers, conduct run-in, performance and reliability tests, and map power, torque and thrust against speed. Assess fuel pressure, fuel mass flow, exhaust oxygen (air-fuel ratio), cylinder-head and exhaust-gas temperatures, and fuel efficiency.
5. Conduct engine ground tests on the aircraft, troubleshoot and maintain engines, and take responsibility for fuel-handling and engine-run safety procedures.
6. Design engine components and installations in CAD, customise or adapt available engine hardware using reverse engineering where appropriate,



and develop and calibrate engine controls to suit the aircraft.
7. Support flight testing, analyse flight logs to assess engine performance and thermal behaviour, and document designs, tests and decisions.

Qualifications

Essential

- B.E./B.Tech in Mechanical, Automobile or Aerospace Engineering.
- 0–2 years of experience.
- Robust fundamentals in internal-combustion engines, thermodynamics and machine design.
- Strong 3D CAD skills, preferably in SolidWorks, including part modelling, assemblies and drawings.
- Hands-on engine experience, including assembly, servicing, starting and safe operation.

Preferred

- Powertrain experience in an SAE BAJA, Formula SAE or similar team.
- Experience tuning EFI-equipped internal-combustion engines through ECU calibration using tuning software.
- Experience with small engines or RC aero engines.
- Automotive or two-wheeler powertrain experience.
- Knowledge of data acquisition and sensors.
- Experience with reverse engineering and dimensional inspection of engine components.
- Programming in Python or MATLAB for test-data analysis.

About Samveksha

Samveksha Private Limited is an aerospace company specialising in the design, development, manufacture and qualification of unmanned aircraft systems for defence and aerospace applications, including intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR). Its in-house engineering spans aerodynamics, structures, propulsion, electrical power, avionics, flight controls and software.

📌 Graduate Propulsion Engineer (Chennai)
🏢 Samveksha
📍 Chennai