Head Design

Burckhardt Compression AG.; Pune District; On-site; INR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Job summary

Burckhardt Compression invites a senior mechanical engineering leader to shape strategy across global engineering functions. You will drive the technology roadmap, governance, and API-compliant product solutions for refinery and petrochemical applications.

You will lead diverse teams, oversee budgeting, cost optimization, and cross-functional partnerships, ensuring high reliability and manufacturability while delivering value engineering and technology transfer initiatives.

Qualifications

• Strong academic background in Mechanical Engineering with 20+ years of experience.
• Experience leading engineers and managers for 10+ years.
• Deep knowledge of compressor systems or rotary equipment design for refinery/petrochemical.
• Proven ability to recruit, develop, and manage engineering teams.
• Familiar with CAE/FEA, ERP, PLM, 3D CAD, design automation and problem-solving methods (8D, RCA, Six Sigma).
• Overseas experience and cross-functional leadership are advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the long-term engineering strategy and roadmap.
• Lead engineering excellence including design governance, standards, quality and compliance.
• Drive innovation, digital engineering, automation, AI, and tech transfer.
• Deliver operational and financial performance through productivity and KPI management.
• Build capabilities and strategic partnerships across the product portfolio.
• Act as the top technical authority for key customer engagements and risk reviews.
• Own budgeting, resource planning, investment prioritization, and cost optimization.
• Lead development of API-compliant, high-performance compressor solutions and design improvements.
• Lead introduction of innovative product designs with improved functionality and manufacturability.
• Establish learning and knowledge management systems with training and documentation.
• Oversee adaptations for new applications and resolve complex technical challenges.
• Drive value engineering to reduce lifecycle costs and enhance competitiveness.
• Lead technology transfer between HQ and local teams and align with global standards.
• Collaborate with global teams to align technology strategy and development methodologies.
• Maintain robust Quality Management Systems and regulatory compliance.
• Annual update of the Compressor Cost Book for sales and planning.
• Develop leadership across engineering sub-functions and succession planning.
• Foster strategic relationships with customers, suppliers, and partners.

Skills

Leadership

Mechanical Engineering

Project management

CAE/FEA

3D CAD

ERP

PLM

Six Sigma

Design automation

Risk reviews

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

CAES/FEA tools

ERP

PLM

3D CAD systems

Design automation

Job description

• Engineering Strategy and Technology Roadmap Develop and execute the long-term plan ensuring alignment with business growth objectives, product portfolio evolution, market requirements, and global engineering priorities.
• Lead Engineering Excellence through robust design governance, Engineering standards, quality, regulatory compliance & high product reliability.
• Drive Innovation & Technology Leadership by advancing product development, digital engineering, automation, AI, and technology transfer initiatives.
• Deliver Operational & Financial Performance through productivity improvement, resource optimization, design-to-cost, and KPI management.
• Build Organizational Capability & Strategic Partnerships by Talent acquisition, competency development, succession planning, and the expansion of engineering expertise across the product portfolio.
• Foster strong global collaboration and strategic partnerships to enhance customer value, business performance, and engineering effectiveness.
• Act as the highest technical authority for strategic customer engagements, technical risk reviews, root cause investigations, and critical project escalations.
• Own departmental budgeting, resource planning, investment prioritization, cost optimization initiatives, and engineering productivity targets with quality.
• Development and delivery of high-performance engineering solutions compliant with API standards, compressor industry standards, and customer requirements, with a focus on material selection, value engineering, and technical integrity.
• Lead the introduction and implementation of innovative product designs featuring enhanced functionality, reliability, manufacturability, and performance.
• Establish and continuously improve organizational learning and knowledge management systems through structured training, experimentation, testing, lessons learned, and technical documentation.
• Oversee product adaptations and engineering solutions for new applications while resolving complex technical, operational, and commercial challenges.
• Drive Value Engineering initiatives to optimize product designs, reduce lifecycle costs, improve competitiveness, and meet customer expectations.
• Lead technology transfer programs between HQ and local engineering organizations to successfully deploy new products, technologies, and engineering practices.
• Collaborate with global engineering teams and HQ to ensure alignment in technology strategy, Engg standards, best practices, and product development methodologies.
• Establish and maintain robust Quality Management Systems, ensuring compliance with ISO, EOHS, ESG, sustainability, and applicable organizational and regulatory requirements.
• Own and annual update of the Compressor Cost Book, including all engineering and commercial adders required for Sales and business planning.
• Develop leadership capabilities across all engineering sub-functions and ensure robust succession planning for key technical and managerial positions.
• Build and maintain strategic relationships with customers, suppliers, industry partners, academic institutions, and key internal stakeholders.
• Represent the organization in international industry forums, technical committees, and professional bodies related to reciprocating compressor technology, including API 618, BIS, and other relevant industry associations.

Education, Experience and Languages:

• Strong academic background with Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering from a reputed university with 20+ years of experience.
• Experience of leading team of Engineers and Managers for 10+ years.
• 10+ years of design experience with compressor systems or Rotary Equipment design with application in Refinery / Petrochemical Segment.
• Prior experience recruiting, developing, and performance management of an engineering team.
• Strong understanding of engineering tools and digital platforms incl. CAE/FEA, ERP, PLM, 3D CAD systems, design automation, and problem-solving methodologies (8D, RCA, Six Sigma).
• Having overseas experience & leading multi-functional teams is added advantage.
• Refinery & Petrochemical knowledge is added advantage.

Burckhardt Compression creates leading compression solutions for a sustainable energy future and the long-term success of its customers. The Group is the only global manufacturer that covers a full range of reciprocating compressor technologies and services. Since 1844, its passionate, customer-oriented and solution-driven workforce has set the benchmark in the gas compression industry.