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