Remote villages, riverside towns and islands are typically inaccessible and cut off from the rest of the world, which is problematic especially in the case of emergencies !

Syed Mujahid, our next pathbreaker, is Aircraft Design Engineer at Mallard Enterprises, a private aviation startup focused on developing a passenger amphibious aircraft designed for regional connectivity.

Syes talks to  Shyam Krishnamurthy from The Interview Portal about his first internship, where he worked on an air ambulance eVTOL project at NACDeC (National Aerospace Conceptual Design Competition) , a prestigious annual competition organized by the Aeronautical Society of India that challenges students to solve real-world aerospace problems through conceptual design, that paved the way for his career in aviation.

For students, if you want to pursue a career in aviation, look for real solutions. Ask yourself what you can explore, try, and learn.

Syed,  can you share your background with our young readers?

I grew up in Ramanagara, a small town near Bangalore, Karnataka. My life had some challenges early on—my father passed away when I was just 6 months old. My mother raised me with strength and care. I was always a curious child, especially interested in machines and how airplanes fly.

In school, I loved drawing, exploring new ideas, playing cricket, and asking lots of questions. Even without access to big labs or tools, I kept learning and dreaming. My background was simple, but my curiosity and dreams were big—that shaped who I am today.

What did you do for graduation/post-graduation?

I did my graduation in Aeronautical Engineering. That means I studied how airplanes are designed and built.

What were some of the key influences that led you to such an offbeat, unconventional, and unique career in Aerospace?

Watching planes fly in the sky made me curious. Reading about Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam inspired me to dream big in aerospace.

I didn’t wait for things to come to me. I started by exploring and seeing the possibilities in the aerospace field—like aircraft design, electric flying vehicles, and new types of transport. I then acted accordingly, learning the skills needed for those paths. I believed in taking small, focused steps toward the bigger dream

Some of my college professors and senior engineers later in my career became mentors who guided me in the right direction.

Taking part in design competitions and aircraft projects in college made me realize how much I loved this field.

Getting into a startup company after graduation as their first hire gave me the opportunity to take real responsibility early in my career.

How did you plan the steps to get into the career you wanted?.

In my first internship, I worked on an air ambulance eVTOL project where I led a team. It helped me understand real-world challenges and team dynamics.

The project I worked on at NACDeC was focused on an air ambulance concept. NACDeC (National Aerospace Conceptual Design Competition) is a prestigious annual competition organized by the Aeronautical Society of India. It challenges students to solve real-world aerospace problems through conceptual design.

Our team participated by forming a group during our BE, and we took on the challenge of designing an air ambulance aircraft based on actual requirements provided in the competition brief. The project involved self-learning, regular discussions with mentors, and applying theoretical knowledge to practical design.

To be honest, I came to know about this opportunity thanks to our HOD, Dr. Bino, who always kept us updated with such platforms by sharing them in our college WhatsApp group. I’m truly grateful to him—this opportunity helped me gain real exposure to core aerospace design early in my journey.

I joined Mallard Enterprises, a startup working on a 19-seater amphibious aircraft. I started as an intern and became a full-time Aircraft Design Engineer after showing dedication and results.

I also worked at the Advanced Air Mobility Institute in Boston which was a remote, part-time position. I was involved in developing strategies to help educate the public and stakeholders about Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) and its potential impact on future transportation. It was a great experience to contribute to a global initiative while still pursuing my studies and other projects.

At the same time, I also did freelancing through platforms like Upwork and Fiverr. I worked on tasks related to aerospace design, technical documentation, and sometimes basic CAD or research assistance. These freelance projects helped me sharpen my practical skills, manage real client expectations, and fund some of my learning resources independently.

I wasn’t sponsored on a visa—everything was done remotely from India.

While I completed a Bachelor’s in Aeronautical Engineering I kept learning through real projects, self-study, and guidance from mentors.

I connected with industry professionals on LinkedIn, shared my work, and learned from their journeys. Networking helped me find direction and opportunities.

How did you get your first break?

My first break was at Mallard Enterprises, where I showed the CEO my previous design work and passion. They gave me a chance to work on a real aircraft.

Actually, the co-founder of Mallard Enterprises reached out to me directly for the internship opportunity after coming across my profile on the Advanced Air Mobility Institute’s website, where I was listed for my involvement in AAM-related initiatives. That connection played a key role in opening the door for me.

As an intern at Mallard, I was involved in the conceptual design of an amphibious aircraft. I contributed to initial configuration studies, design layout, and performance estimations. It was a hands-on experience where I got to apply theoretical knowledge to a real-world project, which later transitioned into a more active engineering role as the project matured.

What were some of  the challenges you faced? How did you address them?

Challenge 1: Lack of real-world experience
 → I worked harder, asked seniors for help, and studied design tools deeply.

Challenge 2: Handling multiple tasks in a startup
 → I became more organized, learned time management, and multitasked smartly.

Challenge 3: Pressure and expectations
 → I focused on learning, kept a calm mindset, and reminded myself why I started.

Where do you work now?

Mallard Enterprises is a private aviation startup focused on developing the ME-1A, a 19-passenger amphibious aircraft designed for regional connectivity. We’re currently in the early phases of development, working on design, analysis, and preparing for future prototyping and certification.

As for the other projects—yes, I’ve explored various areas like electric and hydrogen propulsion, rotorcraft, and even basic animations. Most of these were driven by curiosity and my desire to skill up beyond academics. That self-initiated learning has helped me a lot in understanding the broader scope of aerospace technologies and trends.

At Mallard, being part of a startup means I get to work across multiple areas. From reviewing design requirements to assisting in layout, analysis, and documentation—I’ve had the opportunity to be involved in nearly every aspect of the aircraft development process.

I currently work at Mallard Enterprises on a regional aircraft that can land on both land and water. We’re solving the challenge of connecting remote areas with faster travel options.

What problems do you solve?

Making flight possible for places without airports—riverside towns, remote villages, and islands.

Skills needed:

  • 3D design (CAD)
  • Engineering thinking
  • Problem-solving
  • Teamwork
     I learned these through hands-on work, online resources, and learning from experts.

What’s a typical day like?

Designing aircraft parts, discussing with engineers, solving design problems, and learning new things. No two days are the same!

What do you love about your work?

I love seeing an idea in my mind become a real aircraft design. It’s like giving wings to imagination.

How does your work benefit society?

Our work helps people in remote areas travel easily, get medical help faster, and connect to the world. It saves time, saves lives, and supports development.

A memorable project?

Designing the air ambulance cabin is very close to my heart. We thought about patients, doctors, medical space, and comfort. It made me feel that engineering can save lives.

Advice to students?

  • Dream big, but act small—take one step at a time.
  • Don’t always depend on people or their random advice—many times, it’s fake or not practical.
  • Look for real solutions. Ask yourself what you can explore, try, and learn.
  • Be curious, honest, and keep growing.
  • And remember: You don’t have to be a topper to succeed—you just need to stay consistent and hungry to learn.

Future Plans?

I’m excited to share that I’m about to start a new position as Co-Founder and CTO of Dragale Aviation, where we are going to build advanced air ambulances to help people get medical care faster and safer. It’s a new mission with a deep purpose, and I’m proud to be part of it.