---
title: "Manu M Pillai - Senior Systems Engineer 2 in Bengaluru | Tal"
description: "Meet Manu M Pillai, Actively Seeking Full Time Opportunities | Robotics at UMD | Autonomous Systems | Machine Learning | Autonomy | C++ | Python based in Bengaluru. AI stack includes claude code, claude, and github copilot."
image: "https://tal.club/meet/manu-madhu-pillai/share-image"
---

# Manu M Pillai on Tal

## Headline

Actively Seeking Full Time Opportunities \| Robotics at UMD \| Autonomous Systems \| Machine Learning \| Autonomy \| C\+\+ \| Python

## About

I’m a Robotics Systems Engineer with hands\-on experience building autonomous systems, UAVs, and AI\-driven perception pipelines for real\-world deployment\. My background spans embedded systems integration, multi\-sensor fusion, and computer vision—taking projects from simulation through hardware\-in\-the\-loop \(HITL\) testing to flight\-ready implementation\. I’ve led the development of tiltrotor UAVs, YOLO\-based CV systems for industrial safety, and LiDAR\-based 3D mapping solutions that exceeded 90% accuracy for government infrastructure surveys\. My work includes 80\+ hours of UAV flight testing and BVLOS operations in coordination with Civil Aviation Authorities in India\. With a strong foundation in ROS/ROS2, MAVROS, PX4, OpenCV, and embedded platforms \(Jetson TX2, Pixhawk, Raspberry Pi\), I’ve contributed to mission\-critical applications in defense, logistics, and environmental monitoring\. I also bring experience in systems engineering \(MBSE\), regulatory documentation, and prototyping under real\-world constraints like thermal limits and hardware shortages\. Core strengths: • UAV Design & Testing \(Tiltrotor, H\-Quadcopters\) • ROS/ROS2, MAVROS, PX4, OpenCV, Pytorch • Embedded Systems \(Jetson, Arduino, Pixhawk\) • BVLOS Flight Ops & Regulatory Compliance • LiDAR, Mapping & Computer Vision \(YOLO, NDVI\) • Systems Engineering, MBSE \(Cameo\) • FAA Part 107 Certified \| Ham Radio: VU3MIV \(India\), KB1UIS \(USA\) I hold a Master’s in Robotics from the University of Maryland, College Park, and a Bachelor’s in Electronics and Communication Engineering from R\.V\. College of Engineering, India\. I’m actively exploring opportunities in robotics, autonomy, and UAV development—especially roles where I can contribute to impactful field\-deployable systems\.

## Location

Bengaluru

## AI stack

claude code

claude

github copilot

obsidian

openai

## Work experience

Senior Systems Engineer 2 at NewSpace Research and Technologies, Apr 2025 \- Present · 1 yr 6 mos, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India

System Engineer 3 at NewSpace Research and Technologies, Sep 2024 \- Mar 2025 · 7 mos, On\-site

Journeyman Fellow at U\.S\. Army DEVCOM Army Research Laboratory, Dec 2022 \- May 2023 · 6 mos, Adelphi, Maryland, United States, Designed and deployed a high\-fidelity simulated environment using the ROS platform, enabling rigorous testing and validation of novel quality metrics for multi\-agent mapping systems, improving evaluation efficiency by 30%\. Contributed to the development and real\-world testing of distributed information\-gathering algorithms for autonomous ground vehicles, enhancing mission success rates in GPS\-denied environments\. Collaborated in a multidisciplinary team to advance autonomy research, applying robotics and systems engineering principles to address defense\-related challenges\.

System Analyst and GCS Operator at Skye Air Mobility, Aug 2020 \- Jun 2021 · 11 mos, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India, Executed over 80 hours of flight testing for a medical UAV delivery system, validating its ability to transport 4\.5 lbs of payload across a 6\-mile operational radius, directly contributing to performance verification and operational readiness\. Designed and documented comprehensive test cases for all UAV subsystems, aligning with relevant aviation standards; in the absence of established benchmarks, proposed best practices based on analogous procedures from the manned aviation industry to ensure consistency and safety\. Partnered with engineering, operations, and regulatory teams to enable BVLOS \(Beyond Visual Line of Sight\) flight trials, working closely with Civil Aviation Authorities in India to ensure regulatory alignment and airspace safety\. Developed and authored a complete CONOPS \(Concept of Operations\) document covering 100 hours of BVLOS flight experiments, detailing flight readiness review protocols, safety procedures, and operational workflows in line with civil aviation guidelines\.

Intelligent Systems Engineer at Curl, Jul 2018 \- Jul 2020 · 2 yrs 1 mo, Bengaluru Area, India, Spearheaded the design and prototyping of three UAV platforms for automated surveying, integrating multispectral cameras and LiDAR sensors to support precision agriculture and infrastructure monitoring applications\. Developed and deployed a YOLO\-based computer vision system on UAVs for real\-time detection of spontaneous combustion in coal stockpiles at Krishnapatnam Port, significantly improving hazard identification and site safety\. Integrated flight controllers with key onboard sensors—including LiDAR, camera, altimeter, and GPS—using ROS and MAVROS, enabling seamless data exchange and autonomous mission execution\. Designed and implemented computer vision algorithms to monitor railway track conditions using autonomous UAVs, achieving a 50% reduction in maintenance time and increasing inspection frequency\. Delivered a high\-accuracy LiDAR\-based 3D mapping solution on UAV platforms, enabling the state government to survey rural roads with over 90% accuracy, exceeding industry standards and accelerating infrastructure planning\.

## Education

Master of Engineering \- MEng, Robotics Engineering, University of Maryland

Bachelor of Engineering, Electronics and Communications Engineering, RV College of Engineering

[View the original profile](https://tal.club/meet/manu-madhu-pillai)

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