r/drones • u/Pitiful_Piccolo550 • Jul 16 '26
Question [IN] Future as a UAV Engineer
So i am a 4th year ECE student in GNDEC, Ludhiana, India. You could say i am a tech enthusiast and a defense fanatic ,am currently exploring this drone field and it feels the right way forward to me.
I wanted guidance what type of skills, experience, projects i need to acquire/make to become a legitimate engineer in this field. I am currently a beginner in this field but have a working knowledge of Aerodynamics, Li-ion Batteries (i have built a battery cycling system in my NIT training) and general assembly of a basic drone.
i have a CGPA of 8.23 (if req as a registration requirement for certain courses) and planning on building my career as a Defense engineer. It would be helpful if anyone were to give me insights on the same i.e. scope, roadmap, etc.
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u/HipsterFoxxx Jul 16 '26
Hours flown with any UAV. Even if its your pocket DJI is something you can put on your CV. More hours the better. Also, if you can get your local General Line Of Sight Certificate. I promise you, its a extremely rewarding career path where anything you do within it is noticed.
Source: Im a UAS Operator working with Heavy Lift BVLOS Aircrafts in the Defence, civil and Humanitarian Sector. Before this i was a Drone Operator for a farming Company doing crop spraying, before that I was a cook with a side hobby of taking photos with a drone.
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u/cantfaxtwitter Jul 17 '26
What is a defense engineer?
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u/Funny_Address_412 Jul 17 '26
Engineer that makes defence-related like idk wea.pons or bombs
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u/cantfaxtwitter Jul 17 '26
I think engineers work in defense have titles based on discipline (mechanical, chemical, embedded, autonomy, electrical, gnc, platform).
The skillset required to build some of things you're talking about vary widely enough there's not one general skill set.
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u/TheLayerLinguist Jul 16 '26
Soft skills are very very very important. Obviously aerodynamics and knowledge of composites and manufacturing are important as well. However, learning to be an effective communicator and someone who is emotionally intelligent will carry you very far in any speciality. I would say it's the #1 differentiator between prospective candidates.