General Manager Research & Development (R&D)

JOB DESCRIPTION General Manager Research and Development JOB SUMMARY The General Manager – Research and Development will lead the organization's R&D, product design, BOM management, product development, and New Product Development (NPD) functions. The role is responsible for converting business requirements, customer specifications, market needs, and technology opportunities into commercially viable products, systems, and engineering solutions. The position carries decision-making authority for design direction, prototype development, technical feasibility, project prioritization, resource allocation, product validation, and cross-functional coordination with Manufacturing, Quality, Purchase, Finance, Sales, and Project Management teams. KEY ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Lead the complete R&D function, including product design, engineering development, BOM creation, prototype validation, testing, cost optimization, and NPD execution. Define and implement R&D strategy aligned with business goals, customer requirements, technology roadmap, product profitability, and operational feasibility. Own the end-to-end development lifecycle from concept, feasibility study, design, BOM release, prototype build, design validation, process handover, and product launch. Drive innovation, value engineering, standardization, localization, design improvement, and product performance enhancement initiatives. Ensure all R&D outputs meet technical specifications, quality standards, regulatory requirements, manufacturability expectations, and target cost parameters. Coordinate with internal and external stakeholders to deliver development projects within agreed timelines, budgets, quality norms, and business commitments. DESIGNING RESPONSIBILITIES Lead product, component, system, and assembly design activities based on customer requirements, functional specifications, industry standards, and manufacturing capabilities. Review and approve design concepts, engineering drawings, 3D models, 2D drawings, layouts, design calculations, and technical specifications. Ensure designs are optimized for performance, durability, reliability, safety, manufacturability, assembly efficiency, serviceability, and cost effectiveness. Implement design review mechanisms, including concept reviews, DFMEA, DFM, DFA, design verification, tolerance analysis, and risk assessment. Standardize design practices, drawing formats, documentation protocols, and engineering change control processes across the R&D team. Guide the team in resolving technical design challenges, design failures, prototype issues, product complaints, and field performance concerns. BOM MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES Own the creation, review, release, revision, and control of accurate Bills of Materials (BOMs) for new and existing products. Ensure BOMs are complete, costed, structured, version-controlled, and aligned with approved drawings, specifications, production processes, and procurement requirements. Coordinate with Purchase, Stores, Manufacturing, Quality, and Finance teams for material selection, vendor feasibility, cost validation, inventory planning, and production readiness. Drive BOM cost optimization through value engineering, alternate material identification, localization, supplier development, and standard part utilization. Approve engineering change notes, design change requests, revision updates, material substitutions, and product configuration changes. Maintain strong documentation discipline to prevent BOM errors, production delays, wrong procurement, rework, excess inventory, and cost overruns. DEVELOPMENT RESPONSIBILITIES Plan and lead product development projects from idea generation and feasibility assessment through prototype development, testing, validation, and release to production. Translate customer needs, market feedback, operational constraints, and business requirements into practical engineering solutions. Define development milestones, resource requirements, technical deliverables, testing plans, risk mitigation actions, and launch-readiness criteria. Oversee prototype builds, pilot trials, technical validation, design verification, performance testing, reliability checks, and corrective action closure. Work closely with Manufacturing and Quality teams to ensure smooth product industrialization, process capability, defect prevention, and production scalability. Lead troubleshooting of product development issues and ensure timely closure of technical deviations, testing failures, customer feedback, and internal review points. NEW PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT (NPD) RESPONSIBILITIES Own the NPD process from concept approval to commercial launch, ensuring delivery within defined scope, timeline, cost, quality, and performance targets. Prepare and manage NPD plans, project charters, feasibility reports, development schedules, prototype budgets, validation plans, and launch documentation. Chair cross-functional NPD reviews with Design, Manufacturing, Quality, Purchase, Finance, Sales, and customer-facing teams. Ensure timely completion of gate reviews, technical approvals, design freezes, BOM releases, procurement readiness, production trials, and customer approvals. Track NPD performance against measurable targets including development timeline adherence, first-time-right design, prototype success rate, cost achievement, and launch effectiveness. Build a structured product pipeline that supports revenue growth, customer acquisition, product diversification, and long-term business competitiveness. OPERATIONAL MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES Establish R&D operating procedures, design controls, project review cadences, documentation standards, technical approval workflows, and performance dashboards. Allocate manpower, tools, software, testing resources, prototype facilities, and project budgets based on business priority and development complexity. Monitor day-to-day R&D project progress and ensure timely escalation of risks related to design feasibility, material availability, testing, quality, cost, or schedule. Ensure effective coordination between R&D and downstream functions so that released designs are production-ready and commercially viable. STRATEGIC PLANNING AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT RESPONSIBILITIES Develop the R&D roadmap aligned with organizational growth plans, target markets, customer requirements, technology trends, and product portfolio strategy. Identify opportunities for new products, product upgrades, design improvements, cost reduction, technology adoption, and process innovation. Support business development and customer teams with technical proposals, feasibility assessments, product presentations, cost inputs, and solution recommendations. Benchmark competitor products, industry standards, and emerging technologies to improve product competitiveness and market positioning. TEAM LEADERSHIP AND PEOPLE MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES Lead, mentor, and develop a multidisciplinary R&D team including design engineers, development engineers, BOM engineers, project coordinators, and technical support personnel. Define roles, responsibilities, KRAs, performance objectives, review mechanisms, and capability-building plans for the R&D team. Promote a culture of innovation, ownership, technical discipline, collaboration, continuous improvement, and accountability. Identify skill gaps and plan training in design tools, product standards, testing methods, NPD systems, documentation, and problem-solving techniques. FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES Prepare and manage R&D budgets covering manpower, software, prototypes, testing, tooling support, trials, consultancy, and development resources. Monitor project-wise development expenditure and ensure adherence to approved budgets and return-on-investment expectations. Drive cost reduction through design optimization, BOM rationalization, standardization, localization, alternate vendor inputs, and waste reduction. Provide technical and cost inputs for pricing, investment decisions, make-or-buy decisions, and product profitability analysis. COMPLIANCE AND RISK MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES Ensure all designs and development activities comply with applicable statutory, regulatory, safety, quality, customer, and industry standards. Maintain controlled technical documentation, including drawings, BOMs, specifications, test reports, approvals, design revisions, and development records. Identify and mitigate risks related to technical feasibility, product reliability, intellectual property, design failure, safety, quality, project delays, and cost overruns. Ensure confidentiality and protection of technical data, product designs, customer specifications, proprietary processes, and business-sensitive information. DECISION-MAKING AUTHORITY Approve design concepts, engineering drawings, BOM releases, product specifications, prototype plans, validation methods, and development milestones within assigned authority limits. Prioritize R&D projects, allocate resources, recommend budget approvals, and escalate strategic investment requirements to senior management. Approve engineering changes, design revisions, alternate technical solutions, corrective actions, and production handover readiness. Recommend launch approval or hold decisions based on design validation, product performance, quality readiness, and manufacturing feasibility. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Production Engineering, Mechatronics, Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, or a related technical discipline. Master's degree in Engineering, Product Design, Technology Management, Operations, or MBA will be an added advantage. Certification or working knowledge in CAD/CAM/CAE, DFMEA, DFM/DFA, APQP, PPAP, Lean, Six Sigma, project management, or product lifecycle management will be preferred. REQUIRED EXPERIENCE Minimum 15 to 20 years of relevant experience in R&D, product design, product development, NPD, engineering, or technical project management. At least 5 to 7 years of experience in a senior leadership or HOD-level role managing design, development, BOM, and cross-functional product launch teams. Proven experience in handling multiple development projects, customer-specific products, engineering documentation, cost optimization, and production handover. Experience in a medium-to-large manufacturing, engineering, industrial products, technology, or equipment-based organization is preferred. REQUIRED SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES Strong knowledge of product design, engineering development, BOM management, prototyping, testing, validation, and NPD processes. Proficiency in design review, technical problem solving, root cause analysis, risk assessment, value engineering, and product lifecycle management. Ability to lead cross-functional teams and influence stakeholders across Manufacturing, Quality, Purchase, Finance, Sales, and Project Management. Strong commercial awareness with the ability to balance innovation, quality, cost, manufacturability, and customer timelines. Excellent leadership, decision-making, communication, documentation, analytical, planning, and stakeholder management skills. Working knowledge of ERP/PLM systems, CAD tools, engineering change management, BOM control, project tracking systems, and technical documentation processes. KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS (KPIS) NPD project completion as per approved timeline, scope, cost, and quality targets. Percentage of first-time-right designs and reduction in design-related rework or engineering changes after release. Accuracy and timely release of BOMs, drawings, specifications, and technical documentation. Prototype success rate, validation pass rate, and timely closure of development issues. Product cost reduction achieved through value engineering, standardization, and BOM optimization. Number of new products developed and successfully launched within the financial year. Customer approval cycle time, internal handover effectiveness, and production-readiness achievement. R&D budget adherence and project-wise development cost control. Team productivity, capability development, attrition control, and achievement of departmental KRAs. WORKING CONDITIONS Office, design center, R&D lab, prototype shop, production floor, supplier location, and customer site exposure may be required based on project needs. The role may require extended working hours during critical design reviews, prototype builds, customer submissions, product launches, and urgent technical issue resolution. Travel may be required for supplier evaluation, customer meetings, technical discussions, audits, trials, and product validation activities. COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS Compensation will be commensurate with experience, qualifications, technical expertise, leadership capability, and internal compensation structure. Benefits may include performance incentives, medical insurance, leave benefits, retirement benefits, travel reimbursement, and other benefits as per company policy. CAREER GROWTH PATH Potential growth into Head – Engineering, Vice President – R&D, Chief Technology Officer, Business Head, or senior strategic leadership roles based on performance and organizational structure.