Head of Design

Head of Design

Key Responsibilities:

• Strategic Leadership

• Define and drive the overall design strategy in alignment with company goals and customer requirements.
• Lead the conceptualization and execution of cutting-edge aerospace and defense systems.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams (engineering, R&D, manufacturing, systems integration, program management) to translate design vision into tangible products.

• Design Management

• Oversee the complete design lifecycle from ideation through to detailed design, prototyping, testing, and production support.
• Ensure adherence to defense and aerospace standards (e.g., MIL-STD, AS9100, DO-178C, etc.).
• Lead design reviews and approve final design outputs for production.

• Team Leadership

• Build, mentor, and lead a high-performing design team including industrial designers, mechanical engineers, CAD experts, and systems designers.
• Foster a culture of creativity, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

• Innovation & Technology

• Stay abreast of emerging technologies, materials, and manufacturing processes relevant to defense and aerospace design.
• Guide R&D efforts to explore and adopt innovative design solutions and tools (e.g., CAD/CAE platforms, simulation, additive manufacturing).

• Stakeholder Engagement

• Act as the design authority in engagements with clients, government agencies, and defense partners.
• Contribute to bid proposals and design documentation for new programs.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's or Master’s degree in Mechanical / Aerospace Engineering, Industrial Design, or a related field.
• 15+ years of experience in design leadership roles within the aerospace, defense, or high-precision engineering sectors.
• Strong portfolio of successful defense or aerospace product designs.
• In-depth knowledge of military and aerospace regulatory frameworks and design standards.
• Proficiency in advanced CAD tools (e.g., CATIA, Creo, SolidWorks) and PLM systems.
• Proven leadership, team-building, and project management skills.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management capabilities.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with UAVs, missiles, radar systems, avionics enclosures, or tactical ground systems.
• Prior experience working with DRDO, HAL, ISRO, or international defense agencies.
• Exposure to rapid prototyping and digital twin technologies.
• Certifications such as Six Sigma, PMP, or Design for Six Sigma (DFSS) are a plus.

*Position is based out of Chakan Pune