Head EV powertrain R&D

InterviewPanel; Bavdhan; On-site; INR 6,000,000 - 9,000,000; Full time

Job summary

MATEL is seeking an R&D Head EV Powertrain in Bavdhan, Pune, India. Lead end-to-end R&D for electric propulsion, motors, inverters, gearboxes, and e-axles, shaping a multi-year technology roadmap and strategic partnerships.

Drive pre-development from concept to handoff while steering IP, collaborations, and advanced materials to set global benchmarks. Candidate will helm a high‑impact team, balance strategic planning with hands-on design reviews, and represent MATEL’s tech vision to leadership

Qualifications

• Master’s degree or PhD in Electronics, Mechanical, or Automotive Engineering.
• 15+ years dedicated to EV powertrain R&D, advanced engineering, or propulsion systems development (within a total career span of 20–25 years).
• Proven history of taking new EV powertrain technologies from concept to mass production across at least one complete program cycle.
• Deep, hands‑on technical expertise in motors, power electronics, and integrated e-drive systems.
• Direct hands‑on background in 4‑wheeler EV powertrain design and development.
• Practical experience with axial-flux motors, integrated e‑axles, or wide-bandgap power electronics (SiC/GaN).
• Prior experience in a research lab, OEM advanced engineering group, or an EV startup's core technology team, along with a track record of building an R&D function from the ground up.
• Ability to seamlessly switch between strategic execution (roadmaps, IP, partnerships) and detailed technical direction (design reviews, lab‑level troubleshooting).
• IP & Research Standing: Strong publication and patent record or demonstrated tech leadership in the EV propulsion domain.
• Communication: Capability to articulate complex technical bets and architecture strategies clearly to non-technical leadership and investors to secure support and capital.

Responsibilities

• End-to-End R&D Ownership: Direct the comprehensive R&D strategy for EV powertrain systems, including electric motors, inverters/power electronics, gearboxes, and integrated e-axles.
• Technology Roadmap: Define and drive the multi-year technology roadmap for next-generation architectures, novel materials, advanced topologies, and high-performance benchmarks relative to global competition.
• Advanced Engineering & Pre-Development: Lead pre-development programs from concept, feasibility, and proof-of-concept stages through to production handoff.
• IP Strategy: Own the creation and execution of the intellectual property strategy, securing patents, technical publications, and core technology differentiation across the powertrain portfolio.
• Research Partnerships: Drive strategic research collaborations with leading universities, national laboratories, and advanced technology suppliers.
• Emerging Tech Evaluation: Lead the assessment and integration of breakthrough technologies, including SiC/GaN power devices, 800V+ architectures, axial-flux motors, integrated e-axle designs, and advanced magnetics.
• Simulation & Virtual Validation: Own the virtual engineering strategy, including simulation and multi-physics modeling across the powertrain R&D function.
• Cross-Functional Synergy: Partner closely with product planning, program management, and manufacturing units to translate research concepts into buildable, scalable production architectures.
• Strategic & Technical Mastery: Govern R&D capital and operational budgets, resource allocation, and program prioritization across multiple concurrent technology streams.
• Team Leadership: Build, mentor, and scale a high-performing engineering organization comprising powertrain researchers, systems engineers, and domain specialists.
• Executive Representation: Serve as the technical spokesperson representing MATEL’s technology vision to leadership, investors, and industry forums.

Skills

Powertrain R&D leadership

EV propulsion systems

Motors & power electronics

Integrated e-drive systems

Axial-flux motors

SiC/GaN power electronics

Roadmapping & IP strategy

Team leadership

Education

Master’s degree or PhD in Electronics, Mechanical, or Automotive Engineering

Job description

Do you want to spearhead deep-tech innovation and define the next decade of EV powertrain technology from the ground up? Do you want to architect high-performance propulsion systems that set global benchmarks and drive the future of sustainable mobility?

Job Title: R&D Head EV Powertrain

Location: Bavdhan, Pune, India

Experience Required: 2025 years

About MATEL

MATEL (Matel Motion and Energy Solutions) is a deep-tech company specializing in cutting-edge, highly efficient electric powertrain solutions and advanced motor technologies. Driven by in-house R&D and manufacturing, MATEL designs and develops intelligent powertrain technology (iPowertrain) for electric mobility across 2W, 3W, and 4W applications, as well as high-efficiency industrial motor systems.

What You’ll Own

• End-to-End R&D Ownership: Direct the comprehensive R&D strategy for EV powertrain systems, including electric motors, inverters/power electronics, gearboxes, and integrated e-axles.
• Technology Roadmap: Define and drive the multi-year technology roadmap for next-generation architectures, novel materials, advanced topologies, and high-performance benchmarks relative to global competition.
• Advanced Engineering & Pre-Development: Lead pre-development programs from concept, feasibility, and proof-of-concept stages through to production handoff.
• IP Strategy: Own the creation and execution of the intellectual property strategy, securing patents, technical publications, and core technology differentiation across the powertrain portfolio.
• Research Partnerships: Drive strategic research collaborations with leading universities, national laboratories, and advanced technology suppliers.
• Emerging Tech Evaluation: Lead the assessment and integration of breakthrough technologies, including SiC/GaN power devices, 800V+ architectures, axial-flux motors, integrated e-axle designs, and advanced magnetics.
• Simulation & Virtual Validation: Own the virtual engineering strategy, including simulation and multi-physics modeling across the powertrain R&D function.
• Cross-Functional Synergy: Partner closely with product planning, program management, and manufacturing units to translate research concepts into buildable, scalable production architectures.
• Strategic & Technical Mastery:ge R&D capital and operational budgets, resource allocation, and program prioritization across multiple concurrent technology streams.
• Team Leadership: Build, mentor, and scale a high-performing engineering organization comprising powertrain researchers, systems engineers, and domain specialists.
• Executive Representation: Serve as the technical spokesperson representing MATEL’s technology vision to leadership, investors, and industry forums.

What You Bring

• Education: Master’s degree or PhD in Electronics, Mechanical, or Automotive Engineering.
• Industry Experience: 15+ years dedicated to EV powertrain R&D, advanced engineering, or propulsion systems development (within a total career span of 20–25 years).
• Track Record: Proven history of taking new EV powertrain technologies from concept to mass production across at least one complete program cycle.
• Domain Depth: Deep, hands‑on technical expertise in motors, power electronics, and integrated e-drive systems.
• Segment Specifics: Direct hands‑on background in 4‑wheeler EV powertrain design and development.
• Specialized Expertise: Practical experience with axial-flux motors, integrated e‑axles, or wide-bandgap power electronics (SiC/GaN).
• Leadership Context: Prior experience in a research lab, OEM advanced engineering group, or an EV startup's core technology team, along with a track record of building an R&D function from the ground up.
• Strategic & Mechnical Mastery: Ability to seamlessly switch between strategic execution (roadmaps, IP, partnerships) and detailed technical direction (design reviews, lab‑level troubleshooting).
• IP & Research Standing: Strong publication and patent record or demonstrated tech leadership in the EV propulsion domain.
• Communication: Capability to articulate complex technical bets and architecture strategies clearly to non-technical leadership and investors to secure support and capital.

Why Join Us

• Long-Term Impact: Define the core technologies that will shape MATEL's powertrain portfolio for the next decade, moving beyond single product launch cycles.
• Total Leadership & Ownership: Take full ownership of the R&D roadmap, technology budget, and team growth in a high-visibility executive position.
• Frontier Engineering: Operate at the forefront of EV propulsion innovation with the operational backing and resources needed to pursue true advanced engineering.