Principle R&D Engineer

Job Title: Principal R&D Engineer – Concrete Sandwich Panel.
Location:
Modulus R&D Centre, Tambaram, Chennai (On-site)
Job Type:
Full-time
About Us
We are on a mission to revolutionise personal construction through cutting-edge scientific advancements and human-centric design. Our goal is to develop Modular Building Technology (MBT) that empowers and enriches customers' lives.

We are building the future, block by block:

• Factory-born precision:
  We envision modular systems created in controlled factory environments, ensuring exceptional quality.
• Intuitive assembly:
  We design building blocks that snap together seamlessly, akin to LEGO, empowering individuals with user-friendly construction experiences.
• Robust resilience:
  Our systems are engineered to withstand harsh handling, extreme weather, and the test of time.
• Speed:
  We transform construction timelines from months into hours.

The Role
Reporting directly to the CTO, you will lead the R&D efforts to "double down" on our proprietary
Precast Concrete Sandwich Panel System
. You will bridge the gap between advanced theoretical mechanics and scalable manufacturing. We are moving beyond traditional concrete; we need thin, lightweight, high-strength ferro cement composites analyzed with the rigor of aerospace engineering.
Key Responsibilities
1. Advanced Structural Analysis & FEA

• Lead the Finite Element Analysis (FEA) strategy for complex sandwich panel composites.
• Simulate Mechanical properties, thermal bowing, shear connector behaviour, and long-term creep of concrete composite sandwich panel system using software like ABAQUS, ANSYS, or DIANA.
• Apply
  Fracture Mechanics
  principles to predict crack propagation and durability in thin-walled ferro cement elements under dynamic loads (transportation and handling).

2. Material Research & System Development

• Drive research into
  Ferro Cement
  and collaborate with the materials team to develop ultra-high-performance concrete mixes to achieve maximum strength-to-weight ratios.
• Design and optimise the "LEGO-like" connection mechanisms, ensuring they facilitate rapid assembly while maintaining structural continuity.
• Prototype and test insulation integration (stonewool, PUF/XPS/EPS) within concrete layers to ensure thermal efficiency without compromising structural integrity.

3. Validation & Scalability

• Collaborate with the manufacturing team to ensure designs are compatible with scalable, factory-based casting processes.
• Oversee physical lab testing (utilising the ecosystem at Modulus R&D centre to validate FEA models against real-world destruction tests.

Requirements
Must-Haves

• Education:
  M.Tech or PhD in Structural Engineering, Fracture Mechanics, or Material Science.
• Experience:
  5+ years of hands-on experience in Precast Concrete design and R&D.
• Technical Core:
  Deep expertise in
  Finite Element Analysis (FEA)
  of concrete structures.
• Specialisation:
  Proven research or work history involving
  Sandwich Panels
  and
  Ferro Cement/Textile Reinforced Concrete
  .
• Mechanics:
  Strong grasp of non-linear fracture mechanics and composite behaviour.

Nice-to-Haves

• Experience working within a startup or high-growth R&D environment.
• Familiarity with modular/volumetric construction logistics.
• Coding skills (Python/MATLAB) for automating analysis workflows.

Our DNA (Core Values)
To thrive here, you must align with our values:

• MBT Focus:
  We are committed to building fast, safe, and intuitive technology. If it doesn't help the mission, it's out of scope.
• Intense and Scrappy:
  We do the hard, unglamorous work with urgency. We are unpretentious and value what
  works
  over what looks fancy.
• Scale is Magic:
  We design for mass production. When in doubt, we scale it up.
• Make Something People Love:
  Our engineering must result in a transformative, positive effect on the end-user's life.
• Team Spirit:
  We collaborate intensely. Our goals are perfectly aligned, even if our roles differ.
• Ownership:
  Nothing is someone else's problem.
  You see a gap? You fill it.

Why Join Us?

• Impact:
  Work on technology that benefits all of humanity by solving the housing crisis through speed and quality.
• Ecosystem:
  Located at
  IITM Research Park
  , you will be at the heart of India's premier deep-tech ecosystem, with access to world-class talent and facilities.
• Growth:
  Join a high-growth environment where you can truly make your mark.

Ready to build the future?
If you are a high-growth individual ready to do great things, apply now.