Project Lead

Job Title: Thermal Imaging / EO-IR Systems Engineering Lead
Location: Panchkula, Haryana
Work Mode: On-site
Experience: 10+ Years
Qualification: B.E./B.Tech in Electronics, Electrical, Instrumentation or Physics; M.E./M.Tech preferred
Industry: Defence / Aerospace / Defence Electronics / Electro-Optics
Employment Type: Full-time

Job Summary

We are looking for an experienced Thermal Imaging / EO-IR Systems Engineering Lead to take end-to-end ownership of the development of a modular thermal imaging engine for defence applications.

The role will involve defining the system architecture, leading a multidisciplinary engineering team, evaluating FPA/ROIC vendors, setting up the thermal imaging laboratory, and taking the product from concept and breadboard development through prototype, qualification and field trials.

The selected candidate will work closely with defence primes, UAV integrators, sight manufacturers, DRDO laboratories and other strategic technology partners.

Key Responsibilities

System Architecture & Product Development

• Own the end-to-end system architecture of a modular thermal imaging engine.

• Define specifications for FPA socket, bias/timing, FPGA/ISP, power management and output interfaces.

• Develop system architecture for multiple product configurations including:

• Thermal camera

• Drone/UAV payload

• Thermal sight

• Define system requirements, technical specifications and interface requirements.

• Lead product development from concept and breadboard through prototype, qualification and field trials.

FPA / ROIC Vendor Management

• Identify, evaluate and technically qualify domestic and international FPA/ROIC vendors.
• Lead technical discussions and negotiations with detector and technology suppliers.
• Define FPA interfaces, calibration requirements and technical acceptance criteria.
• Establish technical, interface, calibration and supply agreements with selected vendors.

Laboratory & Infrastructure Setup

• Lead the establishment of the thermal imaging development laboratory.

• Define specifications and procure equipment including:

• IR test benches

• Blackbody sources

• Collimators

• Electronics test equipment

• Calibration and measurement systems

• Ensure appropriate ESD-controlled laboratory practices and safety procedures.

Engineering Team Leadership

• Lead and mentor a multidisciplinary engineering team of approximately 8 members.

• Build the core engineering team across:

• Optical Engineering

• FPGA / Digital Design

• Embedded Systems

• Electronics

• Mechanical Engineering

• Testing & Validation

• Participate in hiring, technical evaluation and capability development of engineering resources.

Programme & Systems Engineering

• Own the technical programme plan, development milestones and risk register.

• Track key development stages including:

• Breadboard development

• First video output

• Packaged prototype

• Qualification

• Field trials

• Conduct PDR/CDR and other technical design reviews.

• Maintain requirements traceability, Interface Control Documents (ICDs) and configuration management.

• Establish and manage verification and validation plans.

Defence Programmes & Customer Engagement

• Prepare technical content for iDEX, DISC, DRDO TDF and other government/defence technology programmes.

• Support technical responses for defence tenders, RFIs and technical proposals.

• Act as the technical interface with:

• Defence OEMs and primes

• Thermal sight manufacturers

• UAV/drone integrators

• DRDO laboratories

• Armed forces and end users

• External test and qualification agencies

Qualification & Field Trials

• Plan and coordinate environmental qualification and product validation.
• Work with relevant MIL-STD-810 requirements and EMI/EMC testing.
• Plan and execute field trials with pilot customers.
• Coordinate with external test laboratories and customer test facilities.

Future Technology Development

• Establish the technical roadmap for subsequent product development phases.

• Develop partnerships and technical groundwork for:

• Indigenous ROIC development

• MEMS/FPA development

• Advanced thermal imaging technologies

Key Deliverables

The candidate will be responsible for driving the following Phase 1 milestones:

• Month 3: FPA vendor selected and technical/supply agreements initiated.
• Month 3: Thermal imaging development laboratory operational.
• Month 67: First thermal imaging breadboard engine.
• Month 10–11: First packaged camera prototype.
• Month 12–14: Drone payload and thermal sight variants.
• Month 16–18: Environmental qualification and pilot-customer field trials.

Required Technical Expertise

The ideal candidate should have strong hands-on experience in EO/IR, thermal imaging or defence electro-optics, with a strong systems engineering background.

Mandatory Skills

• 10+ years of experience in EO/IR systems, thermal imaging, night vision or defence electronics.

• Minimum 3 years of experience leading a product development or engineering team.

• Strong understanding of uncooled microbolometer-based thermal imaging systems.

• Knowledge of IR optics and optical systems.

• Understanding of image processing and imaging-system performance metrics including:

• NETD

• MRTD

• MTF

• Detection range

• Recognition range

• Identification range

• Experience with system architecture and requirements engineering.

• Experience with:

• Requirements management

• System specifications

• Interface Control Documents (ICDs)

• Verification & Validation (V&V)

• Design reviews

• Configuration management

• Proven experience taking a hardware product from concept development prototype qualification limited production.

• Strong technical documentation, communication and stakeholder-management skills.

Good to Have

• Experience with DRDO / IRDE / DLRL / BEL or private EO/IR and thermal imaging companies.
• Experience with thermal sights, thermal cameras, night vision systems or UAV payloads.
• Experience working with FPA/ROIC vendors.
• Exposure to iDEX, DISC, DRDO TDF or other defence innovation programmes.
• Experience preparing technical proposals, grant applications, RFIs or defence tender responses.
• Experience working in a defence technology start-up or product development environment.
• Knowledge of MIL-STD-810, EMI/EMC and environmental qualification.
• Familiarity with Indian defence procurement and testing processes.

Educational Qualifications

• B.E./B.Tech in:

• Electronics Engineering

• Electrical Engineering

• Instrumentation Engineering

• Physics

• Related engineering disciplines

• M.E./M.Tech in Electronics, Electrical, Instrumentation, Optics, Defence Technology or a related field will be preferred.

Work Location & Conditions

• Location: Panchkula, Haryana

• This is an on-site, laboratory-based engineering role.

• Occasional travel may be required to:

• External test laboratories

• FPA/ROIC vendor locations

• Customer facilities

• Defence establishments

• Field-trial ranges

• The role involves working on defence programmes and may require background verification and security vetting as required by Indian defence customers.

• Candidates must be comfortable working in an ESD-controlled laboratory environment.

• Strict adherence to laboratory safety, ESD, export-control, SCOMET and End User Certificate (EUC) requirements will be expected.

Why Join Us?

• Opportunity to be a founding engineering member of an Indian defence technology programme.
• Own a complete product development programme from breadboard to field deployment.
• Build and lead a multidisciplinary engineering team.
• Work on advanced thermal imaging and EO/IR technology for defence applications.
• Direct exposure to defence primes, UAV integrators, technology partners and government defence programmes.
• Opportunity to contribute to the development roadmap for indigenous ROIC and MEMS/FPA technologies.
• Significant technical and leadership ownership as the programme scales.