Job Title: Head of Research & Development (R&D)
Experience: 15+ Years
Location: Dholka, Ahmedabad
Compensation: ₹30–40 LPA + ESOPs (Company Stock Options)
Reporting To: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Job Purpose
The Head of R&D will be responsible for leading the complete research and development function for electric mobility products, including electric 2-wheelers and 3-wheelers. This role requires a hands-on technical leader with proven experience in building vehicles from concept to production and enhancing products that are already in the market.
The position will drive innovation, product quality, cost optimization, and regulatory compliance while ensuring timely delivery of market-ready products aligned with business goals.
Key ResponsibilitiesProduct Development & Innovation
- Lead end-to-end development of electric 2-wheelers (L1 & L2) and electric 3-wheelers (L3 & L5) from ideation, design, prototyping, validation, and production.
- Define product architecture, specifications, and technical roadmap aligned with market needs and cost targets.
- Drive innovation in vehicle design, powertrain, battery integration, electronics, and vehicle systems.
Existing Product Improvement
- Lead value addition and continuous improvement projects for products already in production.
- Identify opportunities for performance improvement, cost reduction, quality enhancement, and localization.
- Resolve field issues, customer feedback, and reliability concerns through engineering solutions.
R&D Strategy & Leadership
- Build, mentor, and lead a high-performing R&D team across mechanical, electrical, electronics, firmware, and testing functions.
- Set R&D goals, KPIs, budgets, and timelines in alignment with business objectives.
- Establish robust development processes, documentation standards, and design reviews.
Supplier & Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Work closely with sourcing, manufacturing, quality, and operations teams to ensure smooth product industrialization.
- Collaborate with suppliers and technology partners for components, tooling, and new technologies.
- Support vendor development, validation, and cost negotiations from a technical standpoint.
Testing, Validation & Compliance
- Oversee vehicle testing, homologation, and certification activities as per Indian regulatory standards.
- Ensure compliance with AIS, CMVR, and other applicable norms.
- Implement durability, reliability, and safety testing protocols.
Manufacturing Support
- Support manufacturing setup, line readiness, tooling validation, and production ramp-up.
- Troubleshoot production issues and ensure design-for-manufacturing (DFM) and design-for-assembly (DFA) principles.
Strategic Contribution
- Provide technical inputs to leadership for long-term product strategy and technology adoption.
- Stay updated with industry trends, EV technologies, and regulatory changes.
- Act as a key stakeholder in decision-making for new platforms and technology investments.
Required Qualifications & Experience
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Automotive Engineering, or related field.
- Minimum 15+ years of experience in automotive or EV R&D, preferably in 2-wheeler and 3-wheeler segments.
- Proven experience in developing vehicles from scratch (concept to production).
- Strong experience in improving and scaling products already launched in the market.
- Deep understanding of EV systems: chassis, powertrain, battery, BMS, motor, controller, and vehicle electronics.
- Hands-on experience with supplier management, localization, and cost optimization.
- Experience working in fast-paced startup or high-growth environments is preferred.
Key Skills & Competencies
- Strong leadership and people management skills
- End-to-end product development expertise
- Problem-solving and analytical mindset
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management
- Strategic thinking with execution focus
- Ability to work closely with manufacturing and operations teams
What This Role Offers
- Leadership role with direct reporting to the CEO
- Opportunity to build and scale mass-market electric vehicles
- ESOPs offering long-term wealth creation
- High ownership, autonomy, and strategic influence
- Exposure to end-to-end EV product lifecycle
