PDR Manager

Company Brief

Planys Technologies is a next‑gen defence technology startup building intelligent autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) and maritime robotic systems that give naval and security forces a real‑time, machine‑driven picture of the undersea battlespace. Inspired by the pace, ambition, and product mindset of modern defence innovators, we are designing persistent, ROVs, AUVs, and hybrid surface vessel edge‑compute heavy payloads, and advanced undersea sensing that turn oceans into knowledgeable, navigable, and defendable environments.

 

Engineers and researchers work like full‑stack product teams: shaping hydrodynamics and propulsion, architecting navigation and perception stacks, and building autonomy and mission‑systems software that must perform in GPS‑denied, low‑comms, high‑risk conditions. You will see your code and hardware leave the lab quickly, iterate through real sea trials, and plug into high‑impact naval, coastal security, and strategic deterrence missions in India and beyond. You’ll be part of a small, high-caliber team empowered to move fast, take end-to-end ownership, and push the boundaries of what underwater systems can sense, decide, and achieve in one of the most demanding environments on Earth.

Position Details

Function

Designation

Employment Type

Navigation & control Engineering

Senior Engineer / Manager – Navigation & Control

Full-Time Employment

 

 

Job Description

Sr. No

Roles & Responsibilities

Skill Required (Functional / Soft Skills)

Required Skill Level 4 – Coach | 3 – Expert | 2 – Advanced | 1 – Beginner

1

Design and implement navigation algorithms (INS, DVL, USBL aiding, EKF/UKF sensor fusion) for AUV platforms operating in GPS-denied environments

Inertial navigation, Kalman filtering, sensor fusion, marine navigation sensors (INS, DVL, USBL, depth sensors) - strong maths background is non-negotiable.

3 – Expert

2

Develop and tune guidance and control systems: autopilots, path-following (LOS, pure pursuit), station-keeping, and depth/heading controllers

Classical control (PID), model-based control (LQR, MPC), hydrodynamic modelling, 6-DOF vehicle dynamics

3 – Expert

3

Build high-fidelity simulation environments for algorithm validation (software-in-the-loop, hardware-in-the-loop)

Sim frameworks, Gazebo/ROS, Unity/ Unreal engine, Monte Carlo testing

3 – Expert

4

Integrate and calibrate navigation sensors (IMU, DVL, USBL, pressure sensors, magnetometers) on vehicle hardware

Sensor interfacing (serial, Ethernet, CAN), calibration procedures, noise characterisation

3 – Expert

5

Implement real-time GNC software on embedded Linux platforms with deterministic timing requirements

C/C++, Python, real-time Linux (PREEMPT_RT), multithreading, IPC mechanisms

3 – Expert

6

Develop harbour to harbour navigation, mission planning and waypoint management modules; integrate with vehicle autonomy stack

Mission state machines, behaviour trees, ROS2 / middleware integration

2 – Advanced

7

Analyse and resolve navigation and control anomalies from sea-trial data; drive post-trial reviews

Data analysis (Python/MATLAB), log parsing, root-cause analysis, statistical methods

3 – Expert

8

Define and execute verification and validation plans for GNC subsystems against system-level requirements

V&V methodology, requirements traceability, test-case design, documentation

2 – Advanced

9

Support system-level integration, sea trials, and field deployments; troubleshoot vehicle behaviour on-site

Field testing, vehicle operations, fault diagnosis under time pressure

3 – Expert

10

Collaborate with mechanical, electrical, and software teams on vehicle-level design trade-offs and interface definitions

Cross-functional communication, systems thinking, interface control documents

3 – Expert

11

Produce and maintain technical documentation: algorithm design documents, test reports, calibration procedures

Technical writing, design documentation, configuration management, git, Jira.

2 – Advanced

12

Create and track work plans for the team working with you. Mentor and guide junior engineers

Coaching, delegation, technical mentoring, Jira

3 – Expert

Qualification / Certification Required

Mandatory Qualification

Preferred Qualification / Experience

M.Tech / M.S. / PhD. in one of:

Aerospace / Mechanical / Electrical / Electronics / Instrumentation / Ocean Engineering / Applied Mathematics / Robotics

4–8 years of relevant experience in navigation, guidance, and control for robotic or autonomous systems.

Preferred: marine / underwater robotics. General robotics (ground, industrial) with strong fundamentals is acceptable.

M.S. / PhD with thesis in navigation, control, or state estimation is a major plus.

Base Location, Working Model and Reporting Details

Base Location

Working Model

Reporting To

Chennai

Work from Office

VP, Products and Research

Notes

1. This JD is a dynamic document for reference purposes. It is subject to change as per business needs as deemed fit by management.

2. Any other task, assignment, responsibility, or role not mentioned could also be assigned to the position holder as per business needs from time to time.

3. In case of any interpretation issue, please discuss with the functional manager or HR representative.