Research And Development Manager

We are seeking an experienced and forward-thinking R&D Lead to lead the product innovation, technical development, and engineering excellence. Based in Pune, India, this role collaborates closely with global teams and plays a critical part in driving strategies, shaping product direction, and strengthening competitive advantages through advanced design, materials, and manufacturing innovations.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide direction on product design concepts, technical architecture, and innovation strategies
• Promote modular design approaches and drive standardization of carry-over parts across product lines
• Evaluate and optimize feasibility of product design, stamping and forming processes, and integration of metal and plastic components
• Introduce and evaluate new materials, technologies, and manufacturing processes to enhance innovation and product competitiveness
• Review product design proposals and guide designers in identifying priorities, risks, and improvement opportunities
• Support customer-facing activities by providing strategic technical input in solution development and presentations
• Oversee the planning and review of prototype drawings, validation tests, and trial builds, ensuring alignment with technical direction
• Mentor engineers and technical staff to enhance their problem-solving skills and design judgment
• Define and execute mid-to-long-term technical development plans aligned with corporate goals
• Develop and manage the company’s intellectual property strategy, including patents and trade secrets related to core technologies

Qualifications:

• Master’s degree or above in Mechanical Engineering, Product Design, Materials Science, or a related field
• At least 10 years of experience in automotive product development, including 5+ years in a senior technical leadership role
• Strong understanding of the complete product development cycle—from concept design to mass production—with hands-on experience or oversight in relevant stages
• Familiar with CAD software (e.g., CATIA, AutoCAD) and capable of reviewing 2D/3D models for design optimization and feasibility assessment
• Proven experience guiding or reviewing product validation plans, with working knowledge of DFMEA and the ability to interpret test data for design improvement
• Deep familiarity with IATF 16949 product development frameworks and quality management systems
• In-depth knowledge of tooling, stamping, plastic injection, metal fasteners, and mechanical integration
• Strong leadership, decision-making, cross-functional collaboration, and crisis management capabilities, with the ability to influence across technical and business teams
• Excellent verbal and written communication, presentation, and negotiation skills in both Mandarin and English
• In-depth understanding of automotive development processes, technical standards, and OEM/Tier-1 systems