VTOL Pilot

Role – VTOL Pilot

Experience: 2–5 years

Location: Hyderabad

Department: Flight Operations / Engineering / R&D

Role Summary

The VTOL Pilot will be responsible for conducting flight testing, evaluation, and operational deployment of fixed-wing VTOL. The role involves mission planning, pre-flight inspections, system integration support, flight execution, data collection, troubleshooting, and post-flight analysis. The candidate will work closely with design, avionics, software, and test engineering teams to validate UAV performance and ensure safe, reliable flight operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan and execute flight tests for eVTOL aircrafts in accordance with approved test plans and safety procedures.
• Perform pre-flight, in-flight, and post-flight inspections of evtol aircrafts, Ground Control Station (GCS), payloads, and support equipment.
• Configure and verify autopilot parameters, mission plans, geofencing, failsafe settings, and telemetry links before flight.
• Conduct manual, assisted, autonomous, and transition flights for fixed-wing VTOL platforms.
• Evaluate aircraft performance during hover, transition, cruise, landing, and emergency recovery.
• Support system integration and validation of avionics, propulsion, payloads, communication systems, and sensors.
• Monitor flight parameters and system health using Ground Control Station software during test missions.
• Record, organize, and maintain flight logs, maintenance records, and test documentation.
• Download, review, and analyze flight logs to identify anomalies and recommend corrective actions.
• Support troubleshooting of flight control, propulsion, navigation, telemetry, and payload-related issues.
• Assist engineering teams during prototype development, system validation, and design improvements.
• Conduct payload performance evaluation and mission effectiveness testing.
• Ensure compliance with DGCA regulations, organizational SOPs, and flight safety requirements.
• Maintain UAVs, batteries, support equipment, and ground systems in flight-ready condition.
• Participate in root-cause investigations of flight incidents and support corrective and preventive actions.
• Coordinate with cross-functional teams during flight campaigns and customer demonstrations.
• Support field deployments, customer acceptance trials, and operational evaluations when required.

Required Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or Diploma in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electronics, Aviation, or a related engineering discipline.
• 2–5 years of experience in UAV flight operations, flight testing, or VTOL UAV piloting.
• Hands-on experience operating fixed-wing VTOL or multirotor UAVs.
• Familiarity with autopilot systems such as ArduPilot, PX4, or equivalent.
• Experience with Mission Planner, QGroundControl, or similar Ground Control Station software.
• Good understanding of UAV flight dynamics, aerodynamics, propulsion systems, and flight safety.
• Ability to perform flight planning, parameter verification, and mission configuration.
• Experience in flight log analysis and interpretation of telemetry data.
• Strong troubleshooting skills for UAV hardware and software integration issues.
• Ability to prepare technical reports, flight test documentation, and operational checklists.
• Willingness to travel for field trials and customer demonstrations.

Preferred / Good-to-Have

• Experience operating medium or heavy-lift VTOL UAVs.
• Knowledge of DGCA UAV regulations and operational compliance.
• Experience with payload integration such as EO/IR cameras, LiDAR, mapping sensors, or communication payloads.
• Familiarity with telemetry systems, RTK GPS, ADS-B, and radio communication systems.
• Understanding of battery management systems and power distribution architectures.
• Experience with flight data analysis tools such as MAVExplorer, Mission Planner log analysis, or MATLAB.
• Basic understanding of UAV mechanical and electrical integration.
• Experience supporting Iron Bird testing and hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) validation.
• Familiarity with risk assessment, flight hazard analysis, and emergency response procedures.

Personal Attributes

• Strong situational awareness and sound decision-making under operational conditions.
• Excellent troubleshooting and analytical skills.
• High attention to detail and commitment to flight safety.
• Ability to remain calm and make quick decisions during abnormal flight situations.
• Good communication and teamwork skills for collaboration with engineering and operations teams.
• Self-motivated, disciplined, and willing to work in a fast-paced R&D environment.
• Flexible to travel and conduct field testing at customer or test locations.
• Willingness to be hands-on during UAV assembly, integration, maintenance, and flight evaluation.