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