Head of Refractive Laser Lifecycle Engineering
Bangalore, India | Initial assignment up to 24 months in Jena, Germany
Role Mission
The Head of Lifecycle Engineering (REF) is accountable for establishing and leading a globally integrated Lifecycle Engineering function for ZEISS Refractive Lasers, ensuring long-term product sustainability, regulatory compliance and operational excellence.
This role combines end-to-end ownership of lifecycle engineering for released products with the strategic mandate to design and implement a scalable Germany–India operating model.
Strategic Impact
This role is critical to ZEISS Medical Technology's ability to:
- Ensure uninterrupted product availability despite increasing component obsolescence, regulatory requirements, and cybersecurity demands
- Unlock innovation capacity within R&D by transferring sustaining activities into a dedicated Lifecycle Engineering structure
- Build a cost-efficient, scalable engineering capability in India fully aligned with global quality and compliance standards
- Strengthen ZEISS global operating model through effective cross-site collaboration and integration
Lifecycle Ownership & Product Sustainability
- Assume full accountability for lifecycle engineering of released refractive products (post Gate 5), covering quality, safety, compliance, cost, and timelines
- Define and continuously evolve lifecycle roadmaps across product lines
- Lead obsolescence management strategies, including second sourcing and redesign decisions
- Oversee supplier-driven changes, including technical evaluation, risk assessment, and implementation
- Ensure robust software maintenance and cybersecurity patching in alignment with global processes (PSIRT/CSIRT)
- Drive resolution of quality issues including CAPA, non-conformities and field corrective actions
Portfolio & Execution Management
- Own and steer the global sustaining project portfolio
- Prioritize initiatives based on business impact, regulatory requirements and risk exposure
- Ensure delivery excellence across time, cost and quality dimensions
- Establish transparency through KPI-driven performance management
Operating Model & Capability Build (Project Ettersburg)
- Architect and implement a Germany–India Lifecycle Engineering operating model in close collaboration with Operations/ Live-Cycle-Management
- Define scope and roadmap for offshoring activities with clear governance structures
- Build and scale a multidisciplinary engineering team in Bangalore
- Institutionalize knowledge transfer, capability development and process standardization
- Establish clear KPIs, SLAs and performance frameworks across sites
Leadership & Organizational Transformation
- Lead and develop high-performing teams across geographies
- Drive cultural and organizational transformation towards a distributed engineering model
- Foster a performance-oriented, feedback-driven, and collaborative culture
- Act as a role model for ZEISS leadership principles and values
Stakeholder & Supplier Leadership
- Align lifecycle priorities across R&D, Quality, Regulatory, Operations, Service and Procurement
- Navigate and balance trade-offs between cost, compliance, speed and risk
- Lead supplier interactions including technical alignment and change implementation
- Own escalation management and resolution in critical situations
Quality, Regulatory & Compliance Governance
- Ensure full compliance with applicable standards (ISO 13485, ISO 14971, IEC 62304, MDR, FDA)
- Establish and enforce robust change control processes
- Support audits and regulatory interactions globally
- Drive continuous improvement of lifecycle engineering processes and tools
Candidate Profile
Education
Master's degree in Engineering or related technical field (PhD preferred)
Professional Experience
- 15+ years in lifecycle engineering, R&D or systems engineering in MedTech
- Proven track record in offshoring engineering activities to India, including operating model design and execution
- Demonstrated leadership experience in multidisciplinary and cross-cultural environments
- Strong hands-on experience in lifecycle topics such as obsolescence, CAPA, supplier changes, and software maintenance
Technical & Leadership Capabilities
- Deep understanding of complex systems (electronics, mechanics, software)
- Strong project and portfolio management capabilities
- Structured problem-solving and risk management expertise
- Solid understanding of cybersecurity lifecycle requirements
- Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills
Leadership Characteristics
- Strong ownership mindset with high accountability for outcomes
- Pragmatic and solution-oriented approach in complex environments
- Resilience and ability to lead through ambiguity and change
- Intercultural leadership capability with experience in global teams
Languages & Mobility
- Willingness to work in Germany for extended onboarding phase and travel globally
Positioning of the Role
This position represents a key leadership role within ZEISS Medical Technology, sitting at the intersection of R&D, Quality and Operations.
It offers the opportunity to shape a globally relevant engineering capability, drive meaningful organizational transformation and directly impact product performance and patient outcomes worldwide.
