Head of UAV Systems

3 weeks ago

Aluva, Kerala, India Canary Digital Full time

Head of UAV Systems

Location: Aluva / Kochi, India (with travel to test ranges and partner sites)

Department: UAV AI Division, Canary Digital.ai

Role Overview

As the Head of UAV Systems, you will lead the development, integration, and deployment of UAV platforms for AI-powered defense and surveillance solutions at Canary Digital.ai. You will oversee all aspects of UAV hardware, flight systems, avionics, mission planning, and regulatory compliance, while working closely with our AI/ML and software engineering teams. This is a strategic leadership role to build and scale Canary Digital's UAV capability from prototype to operational deployment.

Key Responsibilities


•Lead the end-to-end UAV systems program: from design and integration to flight testing and operational deployment.


•Architect UAV platforms with PX4/ArduPilot, flight controllers, payloads (EO/IR gimbals, Jetson-class compute), and secure comms.


•Oversee mission planning, autonomy modes, and failsafe configurations.


•Collaborate with AI/ML engineers on computer vision payload integration.


•Establish and enforce flight safety protocols, risk assessments, and compliance with DGCA/MoD regulations.


•Define UAV fleet operations strategy: multi-drone coordination, handoff, and scaling.


•Build and mentor a team of UAV Systems Engineers, RF/Comms Security engineers, and Test Officers.


•Act as the primary technical interface with defense partners, test ranges, and regulatory bodies.


•Own UAV program roadmaps, budgets, and milestone delivery.

Required Skills & Experience


•10+ years in UAV/avionics/robotics engineering, with at least 5 years in a leadership role.


•Deep expertise in PX4/ArduPilot, MAVLink protocol, mission planning software.


•Hands-on experience with autonomous UAV platforms (quad/hex/octocopters, fixed-wing).


•Knowledge of UAV payloads (EO/IR gimbals, lidar, radars, sensors).


•Strong grasp of flight dynamics, safety envelopes, and failsafe design.


•Exposure to DGCA/ICAO military aviation compliance frameworks.


•Familiarity with secure comms, RF systems, and encryption (advantageous).


•Excellent leadership, cross-functional collaboration, and program delivery skills.

Preferred Background


•Former DRDO, HAL, BEL, ISRO, or defense UAV startups.


•Experience with BVLOS trials, acceptance tests, and defense procurement.


•Exposure to multi-drone fleet operations and swarm coordination.

What We Offer


•Opportunity to build India's first of it's kind AI-native UAV systems team inside a fast-growing AI company.


•Work on strategic defense and security projects.


•Collaborative environment with AI, edge computing, and design experts.


•Competitive salary + performance incentives + ESOPs.

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