Senior Product Development Engineer

ABOUT THE ROLE

To support India and Southeast Asia regional markets by driving cost competitiveness, VA/VE initiatives, footprint localization, competitor benchmarking, new product launches, and value engineering projects for Roller Bearings. The role focuses on identifying, validating, documenting, and realizing cost-down opportunities while ensuring technical compliance, stakeholder alignment, and timely execution across the value chain.

YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES WILL INCLUDE

• Drive regional cost reduction initiatives through VA/VE, ICR, design optimization, material optimization, process improvement, localization, and sourcing-related projects.
• Identify, evaluate, and convert cost-down opportunities across product design, manufacturing processes, material specifications, supplier capability, standardization, and value chain improvements.
• Lead roller bearing localization and sourcing projects by coordinating with regional teams, global product development, factories, purchasing, SQD, suppliers, and business stakeholders.
• Perform competitor benchmarking and product teardown analysis, prepare structured technical and cost comparison reports, and define actionable improvement opportunities.
• Prepare and manage technical validation requirements including DVP/DVVP, test plans, design review inputs, technical justifications, validation summaries, and risk mitigation actions.
• Evaluate project business cases by assessing technical feasibility, cost impact, validation needs, implementation risks, switchover requirements, and expected savings realization.
• Coordinate cross-functionally with Manufacturing, Quality, Purchasing, Supply Chain, Application Engineering, Sales, Product Line, suppliers, and Business Control teams to ensure timely project execution.
• Track project milestones, validation status, implementation timelines, risks, and savings impact to support management reporting and realization of agreed cost reduction targets.
• Collaborate with regional and global stakeholders to secure technical alignment, approvals, customer/system change requirements where applicable, and smooth implementation of approved changes.
• Support new product launches, localization projects, supplier development discussions, technical reviews, and documentation required for cost competitiveness and regional business growth.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR:

• Master's or Bachelor Degree in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent engineering discipline.
• 6 to 10 years of experience in product development, application engineering, project engineering, manufacturing engineering, or related functions.
• Hands-on experience in cost reduction, VA/VE, ICR, localization, competitor benchmarking, product teardown, and design optimization initiatives.
• Good understanding of bearing design, mechanical components, machine design, product testing, validation, and technical documentation.
• Working knowledge of manufacturing processes such as steel processing, machining, heat treatment, super-finishing, coating, assembly, and supplier development.
• Strong analytical and techno-commercial skills including cost drivers, business case assessment, savings tracking, and KPI reporting.
• Experience with CAD / PLM tools such as PTC Creo and Windchill. Simulation interpretation would be an advantage.
• Excellent communication skills with ability to work effectively with regional/global stakeholders, factories, suppliers, and internal functions.