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.

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