Chief Engineer

Rambal; Thiruporur; On-site; INR 6,000,000 - 9,000,000; Full time

Job summary

Rambal Private Limited, part of the Karmen Group, invites a Senior Leader to head the R&D / Engineering function focusing on damper and suspension technology for Automotive, Rail and EV applications. The role requires steering technology roadmaps, validating innovations and delivering products from concept to production.

You will manage a high-performing team, drive VA/VE, and coordinate with OEM customers worldwide, aligning customer requirements with market trends and new business

Qualifications

• 15+ years of experience in automotive damper/shock absorber/suspension product development.
• Proven experience in R&D/Engineering leadership with technology, product development and engineering strategy.
• Strong hands-on understanding of shock absorber and damper design, development, tuning and optimization.

Responsibilities

• Lead the R&D / Engineering function and drive the overall engineering strategy and technology roadmap.
• Lead shock absorber and damper design and development from concept through product validation and production.
• Drive damper tuning, performance optimization and product improvement based on customer and application requirements.
• Develop and optimize damper solutions for Passenger Vehicles, Commercial Vehicles, Rail, EVs, Defence and other mobility applications.
• Drive development of advanced and semi-active damper technologies and identify opportunities for new product development.
• Establish and strengthen product validation and testing capabilities, including type, durability, fatigue and performance testing.
• Define testing requirements, technical capabilities, infrastructure and CAPEX planning for R&D and validation facilities.
• Develop technology roadmaps based on customer requirements, market trends and emerging mobility technologies.
• Provide technical leadership and support to Business Development / Sales teams for OEM customer acquisition and new business opportunities.
• Manage technical interactions with Indian and global OEM customers, including product reviews, development discussions and technical presentations.
• Lead root cause analysis and corrective actions for field failures, validation failures and customer complaints.
• Drive VA/VE, design optimization, cost reduction and design-to-cost initiatives.
• Lead prototyping, supplier/vendor development and technical evaluation of new technologies and components.
• Build, mentor and develop a high-performing R&D / Engineering team and strengthen technical competencies.
• Collaborate with Manufacturing, Quality, Testing, Procurement and Business Development teams to ensure successful product development and commercialization.

Skills

Leadership

Damper design

R&D leadership

Vendor development

Team building

Education

B.E. / B.Tech Mechanical / Automobile

Tools

Prototyping

Vendor Development

Test & Validation

Job description

HEAD R&D / CHIEF ENGINEER AUTOMOTIVE / CV / RAIL DAMPERS

ABOUT THE COMPANY

Rambal Private Limited, part of the Karmen Group, is an established precision auto-component manufacturer with a legacy dating back to 1957. The company develops and manufactures shock absorbers, damping solutions, suspension systems, air suspension solutions, braking systems, thermal management systems and precision machined components for Automotive and Non-Automotive applications. With a strong engineering and manufacturing base and an international customer presence, Rambal is focused on developing reliable, innovative mobility solutions for evolving customer and market requirements.

Function

R&D / Product Development / Engineering

Experience

15+ Years

Industry

Automotive / Auto Components / Mobility

Job Location

Thiruporur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu

Qualification

B.E. / B.Tech Mechanical / Automobile or equivalent

Level

Senior Leadership

Reporting

As per Group Company structure

Role Focus

Damper / Shock Absorber & Suspension Technology

ROLE PURPOSE

To lead the R&D / Engineering function and drive engineering strategy, product development, technology innovation and validation for next-generation damper and suspension solutions across Automotive, Commercial Vehicle, Rail and EV applications.

ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead the R&D / Engineering function and drive the overall engineering strategy and technology roadmap.
• Lead shock absorber and damper design and development from concept through product validation and production.
• Drive damper tuning, performance optimization and product improvement based on customer and application requirements.
• Develop and optimize damper solutions for Passenger Vehicles, Commercial Vehicles, Rail, EVs, Defence and other mobility applications.
• Drive development of advanced and semi-active damper technologies and identify opportunities for new product development.
• Establish and strengthen product validation and testing capabilities, including type, durability, fatigue and performance testing.
• Define testing requirements, technical capabilities, infrastructure and CAPEX planning for R&D and validation facilities.
• Develop technology roadmaps based on customer requirements, market trends and emerging mobility technologies.
• Provide technical leadership and support to Business Development / Sales teams for OEM customer acquisition and new business opportunities.
• Manage technical interactions with Indian and global OEM customers, including product reviews, development discussions and technical presentations.
• Lead root cause analysis and corrective actions for field failures, validation failures and customer complaints.
• Drive VA/VE, design optimization, cost reduction and design-to-cost initiatives.
• Lead prototyping, supplier/vendor development and technical evaluation of new technologies and components.
• Build, mentor and develop a high-performing R&D / Engineering team and strengthen technical competencies.
• Collaborate with Manufacturing, Quality, Testing, Procurement and Business Development teams to ensure successful product development and commercialization.

PREFERRED CANDIDATE PROFILE

• B.E. / B.Tech in Mechanical / Automobile Engineering or equivalent qualification.
• 15+ years of relevant experience in automotive damper / shock absorber / suspension product development.
• Proven experience in R&D / Engineering leadership with responsibility for technology, product development and engineering strategy.
• Strong hands-on understanding of shock absorber and damper design, development, tuning and optimization.
• Experience in product validation, durability, fatigue, type and performance testing.
• Exposure to advanced / semi-active damper technologies will be an added advantage.
• Experience across Automotive, Commercial Vehicle, Rail and/or EV applications will be preferred.
• Strong experience in handling Indian and global automotive OEMs.
• Ability to translate customer requirements and market insights into product and technology roadmaps.
• Strong knowledge of failure analysis, RCA, problem-solving and design improvement.
• Experience in VA/VE, cost optimization, prototyping and vendor development.
• Strong business orientation with the ability to provide technical support for business development and customer acquisition.
• Excellent leadership, communication, stakeholder management and team-building capabilities.

KEY TECHNICAL & FUNCTIONAL EXPOSURE

Shock Absorber | Damper Design | Suspension Systems | Product Development | Damper Tuning | Advanced / Semi-Active Dampers | Product Validation | Type Testing | Fatigue & Durability Testing | OEM Engineering | Technology Roadmap | RCA | VA/VE | Cost Optimization | Prototyping | Vendor Development.