The posting
About Sarla Aviation:
Sarla Aviation is at the forefront of revolutionizing urban air mobility with its cutting-edge eVTOL (electric Vertical Take-off and Landing) aircraft featuring innovative tilt-rotor technology. Sarla Aviation, a pioneer in the development of sustainable, efficient, and safe air transportation systems, is dedicated to influencing the future of aviation. We are seeking a skilled and driven Aircraft Design Engineer to join our expanding team and contribute to the success of our eVTOL program.
About the role:
We are seeking a Senior Aircraft Design Engineer (eVTOL) with 8+ years of experience to own aircraft-level design, integration, and certification readiness for our eVTOL platform. This role is not a component designer role. You will act as an aircraft architect and technical authority, responsible for ensuring that configuration, performance, stability, propulsion integration, and certification constraints converge into a viable, certifiable aircraft. You will define design philosophy, build internal tools, mentor engineers, and serve as a primary technical interface to regulators and leadership.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead aircraft-level architecture and configuration design for eVTOL platforms, including lift-cruise propulsion layout, transition concepts, wing–propeller–empennage integration, landing gear, and ground operations.
- Drive configuration trade studies considering performance, noise, safety, redundancy, mass properties, and certification feasibility across all flight phases (VTOL, transition, cruise, approach, and landing).
- Drive aerodynamic concept definition and performance modelling, addressing propeller–airframe interaction, hover download, transition aerodynamics, edgewise flight, OEI conditions, and mission-level range and endurance.
- Drive air foil and planform strategies balancing hover efficiency, cruise performance, noise, and regulatory constraints, ensuring physics-based use of CFD to support design decisions.
- Lead stability, control, and handling qualities definition across hover, transition, and forward flight, including control allocation, degraded modes, and compliance with FAA/EASA/SC-VTOL/DGCA requirements.
- Act as the aircraft-level systems integrator, applying MBSE principles to manage requirement flow-down, interface control, and cross-disciplinary trade-offs across propulsion, structures, flight controls, energy storage, and avionics.
- Develop and interpret low- to mid-fidelity aero-structural models to guide configuration decisions, assess modal behaviour, and support load paths, flutter awareness, and certification alignment.
- Develop, validate, and own in-house aircraft design and analysis tools for sizing, performance, stability, and propulsion matching, establishing best practices and fidelity roadmaps, integrated with Multi-Disciplinary Optimization (MDO) methodologies.
- Lead/Assist in aircraft-level certification strategy, compliance planning, and technical substantiation, serving as one of the interfaces with regulatory authorities and embedding certification constraints early in the design.
- Support flight test planning, data correlation, design validation, envelope expansion, and continued airworthiness activities.
- Act as a technical authority and mentor, leading design reviews, guiding junior engineers, and influencing long-term aircraft platform and technology roadmaps.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s or master’s degree in aerospace engineering or a related field.
- 8+ years of experience in aircraft design, preferably with a focus on eVTOL.
- Solid understanding of aerodynamics, aircraft structures, and propulsion systems, with hands-on experience in design and analysis.
- Experience with simulation & modelling tools (e.g., Starccm+, NX, MATLAB, Simulink) for performance analysis and optimization.
- Knowledge of relevant aviation regulations and certification processes (e.g., FAA, EASA) is highly desirable.
- Strong problem-solving skills, with the ability to analyse complex engineering problems and propose effective solutions.
- Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.
- A passion for innovation, sustainable aviation, and the future of eVTOL aircraft.
- Prior involvement in a certified or certification-bound aircraft program.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
- Direct experience in the design and development of composite materials for aircraft structures.
- Hands-on experience with electric propulsion systems for aircraft.
- Expertise in lightweight materials and composites used in aircraft design, including advanced manufacturing techniques.
- Previous experience in a startup or fast-paced engineering environment.
- Strong background in the aero structural design and optimization of aircraft components.
Why Join Us?
Be a part of a world-class team in an environment where your work directly contributes to shaping the future of urban air mobility.
Thrive in our culture of diversity, inclusion, and innovation, where your unique perspectives and ideas are valued.
Enjoy a competitive compensation package, with opportunities for growth and development in a rapidly evolving industry.
How to Apply:
Submit your resume through our website www.sarla-aviation.com or via the job post and join us in our journey to redefine aerospace with safety, integrity, and groundbreaking innovation at its core.
Sarla Aviation is dedicated to creating a diverse and inclusive workspace, championing equality and empowering every individual. We believe that our strength lies in our differences, not just our similarities. Therefore, we warmly welcome applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of their ethnicity, gender, disability, religion, sexual orientation, or age. Join us at Sarla Aviation, where your unique background and perspective are not just welcomed—they are celebrated.
