Graduate Propulsion Engineer

About Samveksha

Samveksha Private Limited is an aerospace company specializing in the design, development, manufacture, and qualification of unmanned aircraft systems for defense and aerospace applications, including intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR). Its in-house engineering spans aerodynamics, structures, propulsion, electrical power, avionics, flight controls, and software.

About the Role

This role covers the selection, integration, calibration, and testing of internal-combustion propulsion systems for unmanned aircraft. The candidate will work with mechanical, aerostructures, and electrical teams to adapt engine hardware, installations, and controls to aircraft performance and mission requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Select and match engines and propellers to mission requirements, including performance at altitude and fuel consumption.
• Design fuel, air-intake, cooling, and exhaust systems, and define installation requirements for mechanical and structures engineers, including mount loads, vibration isolation, and clearances.
• Set up and calibrate engine control units (ECUs) to control electronic fuel injection (EFI) and ignition, and tune engine operation across the required operating range.
• Plan and carry out engine test programs. Specify the test bench and instrumentation with mechanical and electrical engineers, conduct run-in, performance, and reliability tests, and map power, torque, and thrust against speed.
• Assess fuel pressure, fuel mass flow, exhaust oxygen (air-fuel ratio), cylinder-head and exhaust-gas temperatures, and fuel efficiency.
• Conduct engine ground tests on the aircraft, troubleshoot and maintain engines, and take responsibility for fuel-handling and engine-run safety procedures.
• Design engine components and installations in CAD, customize or adapt available engine hardware using reverse engineering where appropriate, and develop and calibrate engine controls to suit the aircraft.
• Support flight testing, analyze flight logs to assess engine performance and thermal behavior, and document designs, tests, and decisions.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Strong fundamentals in internal-combustion engines, thermodynamics, and machine design.
• Strong 3D CAD skills, preferably in SolidWorks, including part modeling, assemblies, and drawings.
• Hands-on engine experience, including assembly, servicing, starting, and safe operation.
• Powertrain experience in an SAE BAJA, Formula SAE, or similar team.
• Experience tuning EFI-equipped internal-combustion engines through ECU calibration using tuning software.
• Experience with small engines or RC aero engines.
• Automotive or two-wheeler powertrain experience.
• Knowledge of data acquisition and sensors.
• Experience with reverse engineering and dimensional inspection of engine components.
• Programming in Python or MATLAB for test-data analysis.

Qualifications

• B.E./B.Tech in Mechanical, Automobile, or Aerospace Engineering.