Head of Refractive Laser Lifecycle Engineering

ZEISS in India

ZEISS in India is headquartered in Bengaluru and present in the fields of Industrial Quality Solutions, Research Microscopy Solutions, Medical Technology, Vision Care and Sports & Cine Optics.

ZEISS India has 3 production facilities, R&D center, Global IT services and about 40 Sales & Service offices in almost all Tier I and Tier II cities in India. With 2200+ employees and continued investments over 25 years in India, ZEISS’ success story in India is continuing at a rapid pace.

Further information at ZEISS India .

Reports to: Head of R&D Refractive Lasers (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

Core Responsibilities 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 12+ 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.

Your ZEISS Recruiting Team: Saptarshi Chowdhury