Head of Mechanical Engineering

Our client is a listed Indian technology and engineering company with over 45 years of operating history, engaged in the design, development, manufacturing, systems integration and lifecycle support of complex, high-reliability products and solutions. The company has established capabilities across Defence & Aerospace, Tactical Infrastructure, Security, Telecom, Electronic Warfare, SIGINT, Precision Manufacturing and rugged electro-mechanical systems. Its product portfolio includes telescopic masts, tactical tripods, pedestals, positioning systems, precision mechanical assemblies, power electronics and other mission-critical systems . The company has a longstanding association with India's strategic and defence ecosystem. Its customer and programme relationships include the Indian Army, Indian Air Force, Indian Navy, DRDO and other Government/Defence establishments. It has also worked with major organisations such as Tata Power SED, GE Healthcare, BSNL and ONGC, besides domestic and international aerospace, defence and technology customer s. As part of an ambitious next phase of growth, the company is significantly strengthening its engineering and product-development capabilities and aspires to build a world-class, analytically driven engineering organisati on. The Opportu nity We are looking for a Head – Mechanical Engineering who will serve as the organisation's senior technical authority for mechanical engineering and lead the development of rugged, reliable and analytically engineered prod ucts. This is not a conventional managerial engineering role. The successful candidate must be a technically exceptional engineer who continues to enjoy being hands-on—reviewing calculations, challenging design assumptions, evaluating FEA, examining prototypes, participating in qualification testing and solving complex engineering problems alongside th e team. Key Responsi bilities The incumb • ent will:Lead mechanical product development from concept → analysis → prototype → validation → qualification → pr • oduction.Establish a culture based on first-principles engineering, analytical calculations, simulation, experimentation and engineering j • udgement.Provide technical leadership across structural design, mechanisms, precision engineering, rotating systems, bearings, shafts, fasteners, joints, welded structures and fatigue-resistant • designs.Establish engineering methodologies for strength, deflection, buckling, fatigue, bearing life, shaft sizing, welds, joints, wind loading, stability, shock and v • ibration.Drive simulation-led product development, including linear/non-linear FEA, contact, buckling and motion • analysis.Ensure simulation results are correlated with engineering judgement, prototype testing and physical va • lidation.Lead Concept Reviews, PDRs, CDRs, Design Validation Reviews, Qualification Readiness Reviews and Failure Revie • w Boards.Drive improvements in field reliability, fatigue resistance, corrosion resistance, wear, environmental durability and product serv • ice life.Evaluate advanced materials, lightweight structures, composites, bearing technologies, precision transmission systems and emerging manufacturing tech • nologies.Recruit, mentor and develop a high-calibre mechanical engineer • ing team.Collaborate closely with Electronics, Embedded Software, Controls, Product Engineering, Production, Quality, Procurement and Business Dev elopment. Critical Skills & Co • mpetencies Exceptional Engineering Judgement: The most important selection parameter. The candidate must demonstrate the ability to analyse complex engineering problems, challenge assumptions and make technically defensible decisions based on engineerin • g evidence.Outstanding Machine Design Fundamentals: Deep expertise in Machine Design, Strength of Materials, Structural Mechanics, Mechanism Design, Fatigue, Vibration, Bearings, Shafts, Fasteners, Joints and Welded • Structures.First-Principles Engineering Mindset: Must be comfortable personally reviewing or deriving engineering calculations rather than relying entirely on software-generated results or historical design • practices.4.Hands-on Technical Leadership: Deriving/reviewing engineering calculations, Reviewing CAD designs, Challenging FEA boundary conditions and assumptions, Reviewing bearing, shaft and material selections, Inspecting prototypes on the shop floor, Participating in environmental and qualification testing, Conducting failure/root-cause analysis, Working directly with and mentoring younge • r engineersSimulation Capability: Strong working knowledge of Linear FEA, Non-linear FEA, Buckling, Contact and Motion Analysis. The individual need not be a specialist simulation analyst but must possess sufficient technical depth to critically evaluate simulation methodology a • nd results.Product Development & Reliability: Demonstrated experience developing complex mechanical products through the complete lifecycle—from concept and engineering analysis through prototype, validation, qualification and production—preferably for harsh operating en • vironments.Technical Leadership & Mentoring: Ability to lead through technical credibility rather than hierarchy, build engineering capability and develop younger engineers into strong analytical probl em-solvers. Ideal Candi • date Profile B.E./B.Tech – Mechanical Engineering; M.Te • ch preferred.Approximately 12–20 years of relevant experience in mechanical product • development.Experience leading a focused team of mechanical/desi • gn engineers.Strong technical reputation combined with continued hands-on engineering • involvement.Experience from Defence, Aerospace, Construction Equipment, Material Handling Equipment, Agricultural Equipment, Precision Industrial Machinery, Motion Control & Actuation Systems, Heavy Machinery or rugged Electro-mechanical Products would be particula rly relevant.