Head of R&D MAHLE SmartBike Systems

MAHLE; Palencia; Presencial; EUR 80.000 - 120.000; Jornada completa

Descripción de la vacante

A leading automotive technology company is seeking a Head of R&D in Palencia, Spain. The role involves coordinating global R&D teams, driving product quality, and managing the R&D budget for innovative eBike solutions. Candidates should have over 10 years of experience, preferably in both bicycle and automotive industries. Fluency in English is required, with Spanish being optional. This position offers a collaborative work environment and opportunities for career development.

Servicios

Collaborative work environment

Career development opportunities

Formación

• Over 10 years of experience in relevant fields.
• Experience in overseeing R&D processes and teams.
• Fluency in English is required, Spanish is a plus.

Responsabilidades

• Coordinate global R&D teams and set targets.
• Drive product quality through preventive measures.
• Lead the R&D strategy and manage budgets.
• Ensure compliance with regulations and safety standards.
• Steer supplier quality and co-development.

Conocimientos

Bicycle and Automotive industry experience

Electronics & Mechatronics for e-drives

Strategy & Innovation

Design, Engineering and development

Leadership in international multi-site settings

Fluency in English

Spanish (optional)

Descripción del empleo

Overview

The Head of R&D will coordinate the global R&D teams (China, Germany, Slovenia, Spain) with clear decision rights, fast escalation paths and a transparent operating cadence; will set R&D targets with Product Management and ensure successful development and target achievement across Full System, Drive Units, Batteries, HMI/Accessories and Digital (Apps/Cloud) and will lead functional team leaders (Mechanics, Electronics, Systems, Testing/Validation, Prototyping, NVH) and product team leaders (Drive Unit, Batteries, HMI/Accessories, Digital); clarify interfaces with Product Management and Manufacturing.

Your Role & Responsibilities

• Analyze and challenge the current R&D organization, processes and toolchain; build a benchmark R&D department for eBike Drive Systems and the connected digital ecosystem.
• Ensure sustainable product quality via preventive quality, robust validation and requirements traceability; support 0‑km and field claims with rapid RCCA and problem solving.
• Drive process excellence.
• Ensure eBike regulatory compliance.
• Act as senior technical counterpart for OEM customers and strategic partners; govern co‑development, IP and quality gates.
• Own the R&D budget; optimize internal/external mix; provide resource vs. workload transparency; support production ramp‑up with robust industrialization.
• Own R&D strategy, portfolio and gated roadmaps for all product lines and the digital platform; run quarterly portfolio reviews and monthly program health checks.
• Oversee end‑to‑end development from concept to SOP, ensuring Systems Engineering rigor (requirements) and cross‑domain integration (mechanical, electronics, embedded SW, mobile, cloud).
• Implement APQP including sourcing, change management and risk metrics; deliver PPAP on time with first‑time‑right quality.
• Ensure compliance with regulations, EMC and safety requirements.
• Lead Testing/Validation and NVH to robust DVP&R; ensure issue containment, root cause analysis and effective corrective actions for 0‑km and field claims.
• Build an achiever culture of ownership and accountability; set clear goals, give feedback, recognize performance and address underperformance.
• Steer supplier quality and co‑development (mainly in Asia); align with MAHLE production facilities (China, Slovenia, Spain) for smooth industrialization and ramp‑up.
• Promote IP generation and manage FTO risks; integrate IP checkpoints into development gates.
• Additional task:
  • Development and validation team working from different locations all over Europe:
  • Spain: MSBS (Palencia) > R&D HQ; ME (Valencia) > Motor controller development.
  • Germany: MAHLE ZG (Brautlach/Dresden) > DU Mechanics; MAHLE Powertrain (Aschheim/Ingolstadt) > DU Mechanics; MAHLE Filtersysteme (Stuttgart/Kornwestheim) > Project Management.
  • Slovenia: MAHLE Electric Drives Slovenija / Letrika (Šempeter) > e‑Machine development.
  • Within MAHLE: Coordination with MAHLE production facilities (China, Slovenia, Spain) and coordination of development locations as described above.
  • Outside MAHLE: Global coordination of Suppliers and Development Partners mainly in Asia.

Your Skills & Strengths

• Mix of Bicycle and Automotive industry experience; international multi‑site leadership.
• Electronics & Mechatronics for e‑drives: e‑machine design/integration, power electronics/inverter, embedded control, sensors, battery systems/BMS, thermal management, NVH.
• Strategy & Innovation.
• Design, Engineering and development.
• >10 years’ experience.
• Fluent in English (Spanish optional).

Our Offer

We will provide a collaborative environment working on exciting assignments, along with ongoingpersonal & career development opportunities.

We encourage you to apply even if you don\'t meet every single requirement. You may just be the rightcandidate for this or other roles!

After receiving your online application, the interview process will typically be, a screening call followed by Personal Interview(s).

For more information about MAHLE and what a career with us looks like for you, click here and to learn more about our foundation owned technology group click here.

#DiversityMatters with our inclusive culture, we welcome applications from all social, religious & ethnical backgrounds, disabilities both mental and physical, identities (gender) and neurodivergent people.

Do you have any questions?

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