Job highlights

- Drive configuration trade studies considering performance,noise,safety,redundancy,mass properties,and certification feasibility across all flight phases (VTOL,transition,cruise,approach,and landing)

- Bachelor s or master s degree in aerospace engineering or a related field

- Knowledge of relevant aviation regulations and certification processes (e.g.,FAA,EASA) is highly desirable

Key Responsibilities:

- Lead aircraft-level architecture and configuration design for eVTOL platforms, including lift-cruise propulsion layout, transition concepts, wing propeller empennage integration, landing gear, and ground operations.

- Drive configuration trade studies considering performance, noise, safety, redundancy, mass properties, and certification feasibility across all flight phases (VTOL, transition, cruise, approach, and landing).

- Drive aerodynamic concept definition and performance modelling, addressing propeller airframe interaction, hover download, transition aerodynamics, edgewise flight, OEI conditions, and mission-level range and endurance.

- Drive air foil and planform strategies balancing hover efficiency, cruise performance, noise, and regulatory constraints, ensuring physics-based use of CFD to support design decisions.

- Lead stability, control, and handling qualities definition across hover, transition, and forward flight, including control allocation, degraded modes, and compliance with FAA/EASA/SC-VTOL/DGCA requirements.

- Act as the aircraft-level systems integrator, applying MBSE principles to manage requirement flow-down, interface control, and cross-disciplinary trade-offs across propulsion, structures, flight controls, energy storage, and avionics.

- Develop and interpret low- to mid-fidelity aero-structural models to guide configuration decisions, assess modal behaviour, and support load paths, flutter awareness, and certification alignment.

- Develop, validate, and own in-house aircraft design and analysis tools for sizing, performance, stability, and propulsion matching,



establishing best practices and fidelity roadmaps, integrated with Multi-Disciplinary Optimization (MDO) methodologies.

- Lead/Assist in aircraft-level certification strategy, compliance planning, and technical substantiation, serving as one of the interfaces with regulatory authorities and embedding certification constraints early in the design.

- Support flight test planning, data correlation, design validation, envelope expansion, and continued airworthiness activities.

- Act as a technical authority and mentor, leading design reviews, guiding junior engineers, and influencing long-term aircraft platform and technology roadmaps.

Qualifications:

- Bachelor s or master s degree in aerospace engineering or a related field.

- 8+ years of experience in aircraft design, preferably with a focus on eVTOL.

- Solid understanding of aerodynamics, aircraft structures, and propulsion systems, with hands-on experience in design and analysis.

- Experience with simulation modelling tools (e.g., Starccm+, NX, MATLAB, Simulink) for performance analysis and optimization.

- Knowledge of relevant aviation regulations and certification processes (e.g., FAA, EASA) is highly desirable.

- Solid problem-solving skills, with the ability to analyse complex engineering problems and propose effective solutions.

- Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.

- A passion for innovation, sustainable aviation, and the future of eVTOL aircraft.

- Prior involvement in a certified or certification-bound aircraft program.

Preferred Qualifications:

- Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.

- Direct experience in the design and development of composite materials for aircraft structures.

- Hands-on experience with electric propulsion systems for aircraft.

- Expertise in lightweight materials and composites used in aircraft design, including advanced manufacturing techniques.

- Previous experience in a startup or fast-paced engineering environment.

- Solid background in the aero structural design and optimization of aircraft components.

📌 Senior Aircraft Design Engineer (Bengaluru)
🏢 Sarla Aviation
📍 Bengaluru