UAV Design Intern

About the Role

As a UAV Design Intern, you will play a pivotal role in bringing cutting-edge drone concepts to life. Working closely with senior designers, you will translate high-level ideas, sketches, and design inputs into highly functional, practical, and manufacturable mechanical systems.

Key Responsibilities

• Concept to CAD: Transform conceptual ideas and design inputs from senior engineers into detailed 3D CAD models and 2D manufacturing drawings.
• Design for Manufacturability (DFM): Analyze designs to ensure they are practical, cost-effective, and optimized for various manufacturing processes (e.g., 3D printing, CNC machining, injection molding, carbon fiber molding).
• Material Selection & Weight Optimization: Assist in selecting appropriate materials (composites, aluminum, engineering plastics) to balance structural integrity with strict drone weight budgets.
• Prototyping & Testing: Participate in building physical prototypes of drones, identifying assembly bottlenecks, and iterating designs based on fitment tests and structural feedback.
• Documentation: Create and maintain comprehensive engineering documentation, including Bill of Materials (BOM), assembly guides, and technical drawings with proper GD&T (Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing).
• Collaboration: Coordinate with cross-functional teams (electronics, software, and production) to ensure seamless integration of internal components like PCBs, motors, and payloads.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• CAD Software Expertise: High proficiency in 3D modeling software such as Autodesk Fusion 360.
• Core Concepts: Strong foundational knowledge of engineering mechanics, strength of materials, and manufacturing processes.
• GD&T Knowledge: Basic understanding of Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) for creating manufacturing-ready drawings.
• Problem-Solving Mindset: Ability to take abstract ideas and troubleshoot physical constraints practically.

Qualifications

• Education: B.E. / B.Tech in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Production Engineering, or a related discipline (Recent graduate).

Preferred / Good-to-Have Skills

• Prior academic project experience or internships involving UAVs, drones, or robotics.
• Hands-on experience with 3D printing (FDM/SLA) or basic workshop tools.
• Familiarity with basic FEA (Finite Element Analysis) for structural validation.