The R&D Leader Cooling is a high-impact role responsible for steering the technical vision of our Data Centre cooling portfolio in India. The incumbent will transform the India Engineering Centre into a powerhouse for Local for Local and Local for Global initiatives.

Beyond technical oversight of Chillers, PAC, and CDUs, this leader must excel in managing a multi-disciplinary engineering team and navigating a complex global matrix of stakeholders.

Core Responsibilities

Strategic Engineering Governance & Reporting
Engineering Roadmap: Define and own the 3-5 year technical strategy for the India Engineering Centre, ensuring it supports the hyper-growth of the Data Centre market.
Stakeholder Reporting: Establish a rigorous reporting cadence with Global LOB heads. Provide transparent visibility into project health, resource utilization, and R&D spend.
Risk Management: Proactively identify technical and supply chain risks in the localization process and present mitigation strategies to the executive committee.
Team Management & Organizational Excellence
Talent Acquisition & Retention: Scale the engineering team by hiring top-tier talent in thermal management, controls, and mechanical design.
Performance Culture: Implement a high-performance culture focused on First-Time Right engineering. Set clear KPIs for the team around design quality, modularity, and patent filings.
Competency Mapping: Identify skill gaps in emerging technologies (e.g., liquid cooling, AI-driven thermal controls) and drive training programs to ensure the India team remains at the cutting edge.
NPD Execution: Chillers, PAC, & CDU
Product Lifecycle Management (PLM): Oversee the end-to-end execution of New Product Developments (NPD) for high-density cooling solutions.
Technical Authority: Act as the final technical sign-off for regional product adaptations, ensuring compliance with local grid codes, environmental regulations, and energy efficiency standards

Candidate Profile

Competency

Requirement

Experience

18+ years in R&D/Engineering, with at least 5 years in a Head of Engineering or Engineering Director capacity.

Industry Background

Extensive experience in HVAC, Industrial Cooling, or Data Centre Infrastructure.

Stakeholder Savvy

Proven ability to influence global stakeholders and navigate a matrix organization where influence without authority is key.

Team Leadership

Experience managing teams of 30+ engineers, including managers and principal architects.

Technical Depth

Mastery of refrigeration cycles, liquid-to-liquid heat transfer (CDUs), and airflow management (PAC).

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Country-specific programs and initiatives may be available.

Looking to make an IMPACT with your career

When you are thinking about joining a new team, culture matters. At Schneider Electric, our values and behaviors are the foundation for creating a great culture to support business success. We believe that our IMPACT values – Inclusion, Mastery, Purpose, Action, Curiosity, Teamwork – starts with us.

IMPACT is also your invitation to join Schneider Electric where you can contribute to turning sustainability ambition into actions, no matter what role you play. It is a call to connect your career with the ambition of achieving a more resilient, efficient, and sustainable world.

We are looking for IMPACT Makers; exceptional people who turn sustainability ambitions into actions at the intersection of automation, electrification, and digitization. We celebrate IMPACT Makers and believe everyone has the potential to be one.

Become an IMPACT Maker with Schneider Electric – apply today!

€40 billion global revenue

+9% organic growth

150 000+ employees in 100+ countries

You must submit an online application to be considered for any position with us. This position will be posted until filled.

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Cooling R&D Leader