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)
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