AGM – Test Lab Operation and Management (ITEC)

KONE; Chennai District; On-site; INR 3,000,000 - 4,600,000; Full time

Job summary

KONE is seeking a Deputy General Manager to lead the ITEC Labs in Chennai, focusing on testing environments and simulator development for R&D. You will guide engineers, coordinate with suppliers, and ensure safe, compliant lab operations across global practices.

The role emphasizes strong leadership, deep electrical/elevator systems knowledge, and collaboration with multidisciplinary teams to advance testing capabilities in a fast‑paced innovation setting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or master's degree in electrical, mechanical, or automation engineering.
• Minimum of 15 years of experience in R&D or test engineering.
• Strong understanding of electrical and elevator systems.
• Experience with safety regulations in laboratories.
• Proven leadership and people management experience.
• Excellent English communication.

Responsibilities

• Full ownership and management of ITEC Laboratories.
• Aligning with Global Practices for Simulator Development.
• Design, construction, and optimal utilization of test environments and equipment.
• Ensuring safety in laboratories and that simulators are built in compliance with safety regulations.
• Oversee budget control, planning, and roadmap development.
• Lead and mentor a multidisciplinary team of lab technicians and in-charges.
• Collaborate with testing professionals on capability-building of R&D test environments.

Skills

People management

Testing methodologies

Lab management

Collaborative work

English proficiency

Programming/AI basics

Education

Electrical/Mechanical/Automation eng degree

Tools

Beckhoff I/O systems

Automation testing tools

Job description

KONE Technology and Innovation Unit (KTI): Driving Innovation in People Flow

KONE Technology and Innovation Unit (KTI) is at the forefront of integrating advanced digital systems with physical infrastructure, such as escalators and elevators. Our mission is to revolutionize the way billions of people move within buildings every day by developing and expanding innovative digital solutions based on emerging technologies.

Our Research & Development (R&D) organization unites top talent from diverse disciplines, forming an industry-leading product and technology team. We excel at addressing complex customer challenges by bridging legacy systems with the latest advancements in hardware and software engineering. Notably, approximately half of our R&D positions are dedicated to software development. By embracing agile methodologies, we are able to respond swiftly and effectively to our customers' evolving needs for speed and innovation in a global context.

Position: Deputy General Manager – Test Lab Operation and Management (ITEC)

We are seeking an accomplished professional to lead the development and optimization of testing simulators for software testing within our R&D department. The ideal candidate will be responsible for designing and building test environments tailored to the requirements of our test engineers/specialists, ensuring optimal utilization of laboratory equipment and resources.

This technical leadership role requires expertise in creating effective testing solutions for R&D testing and collaborating with cross-functional teams and suppliers to seamlessly integrate these solutions into the product development lifecycle. Team leadership is a key component of this position.

As part of the ITEC Embedded Systems and Testing Team within KONE Technology & Innovation in Chennai, India, your primary focus will be on constructing R&D test environments. This position reports directly to the Head of Shared R&D Services India.

Testing team includes unit testing, integration testing, system testing considering manual and automation testing infrastructure.

Key Responsibilities:

• Full ownership and management of ITEC Laboratories.




• Aligning with Global Practices for Simulator Development




• Design, construction, and optimal utilization of test environments and test equipment.




• Ensuring safety in laboratories and that simulators are built in compliance with safety regulations




• Ensure safety compliance, particularly when working with elevator components and systems.




• Develop new and enhance existing platforms in collaboration with project teams and suppliers.




• Oversee budget control, planning, and roadmap development.




• Lead and mentor a multidisciplinary team of lab technicians, sourcing, lab in charges.




• Collaborate with testing professionals on building the capability of R&D test environment.

Qualifications and Requirements:

• Bachelor's or master's degree in electrical engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Automation Engineering, or a related field.




• Minimum of 15 years' experience in R&D or Test Engineering.




• Demonstrated financial acumen.




• Strong understanding of electrical and elevator systems.




• Expertise in Beckhoff I&O systems




• Experience in production or commissioning is preferred.




• Proven experience in people management is an asset.




• In-depth knowledge of testing methodologies, tools, and best practices.




• Disciplined work ethic with the ability to collaborate effectively in an international team environment.




• Commitment to continuous improvement of working methods and processes.




• Programming and AI skills are considered advantageous.




• Excellent proficiency in English language.

At KONE, we are focused on creating an innovative and collaborative working culture where we value the contribution of each individual. Employee engagement is a key focus area for us and we encourage participation and the sharing of information and ideas. Sustainability is an integral part of our culture and the daily practice. We follow ethical business practices and we seek to develop a culture of working together where co-workers trust and respect each other and good performance is recognized. In being a great place to work, we are proud to offer a range of experiences and opportunities that will help you to achieve your career and personal goals and enable you to live a healthy and balanced life.