MGR (R&D) (India)

Job description

1. Role Purpose Lead development, selection, validation and application of non-metallic materials for automotive products, with independent technical ownership of complex material, component and application challenges. The role is primarily an individual contributor position, requiring deep technical expertise, independent judgement and influence across functions, with mentoring responsibility but without a primary people-management mandate. Although the designation is Manager, the role is primarily a technical Individual Contributor position. The incumbent is expected to own complex technical problems, influence cross-functional decisions, lead supplier/technology discussions and mentor engineers, while remaining hands-on in material science, analysis and problem solving. Role Nature: Individual Contributor (IC) 2. Key Responsibilities Lead development and selection of polymers, rubber/elastomers, composites, foams, adhesives, coatings, TIMs and functional materials. Convert application requirements into material specifications, test plans and validation criteria. Drive mechanical, thermal, chemical, environmental, aging and tribological characterization. Lead material/component failure analysis, root-cause investigation and complex troubleshooting. Evaluate material–process–component interactions and provide robust technical recommendations. Work with RM suppliers on grade/formulation development, benchmarking, localization, quality and technology development. Identify technologies for lightweighting, thermal management, cost optimization, sustainability and performance enhancement. Interpret ASTM, ISO, SAE, JIS and DIN standards and improve test methodologies where required. Mentor junior engineers and contribute to technical knowledge and capability building. 3. Core Technical Domains Polymers & Compounds – PP, ABS, PC, ASA, PA, PBT, TPE/TPC and other engineering plastics/filled compounds. Rubber & Elastomers – EPDM, NBR, HNBR, FKM, AEM, Silicone, natural/synthetic rubber and sealing systems. Foams – PU, PE, EVA and functional/structural foams; density, compression, aging and thermal/acoustic performance. Adhesives & Sealants – Epoxy, PU, acrylic, silicone, anaerobic and structural adhesives; bonding, durability and environmental resistance. TIM & Thermal Management – thermal pads, gap fillers, thermal pastes, thermally conductive polymers and interface materials. Other Materials – composites, coatings, conductive materials, lightweight materials and sustainable/alternate materials. Characterization – FTIR, DSC/TGA, DMA, tribology, hardness, thermal conductivity, microscopy, mechanical, chemical and aging/environmental testing. 4. Competency Requirements Technical & Material Science: Strong fundamentals in polymer/rubber/material science, formulation, processing and material–property relationships. Application Engineering: Ability to select materials and characterization methods based on application requirements and understand material → process → component → performance relationships. Problem Solving & Judgement: Independently solve complex problems using structured, data-driven root-cause analysis and distinguish material, formulation, process, design and application causes. Technology & Innovation: Identify and evaluate emerging materials and technologies for thermal management, lightweighting, sustainability, cost and performance improvement. Project & Stakeholder Management: Own technical activities from requirement definition through validation and implementation; effectively interact with Design, Manufacturing, Quality, Sourcing, suppliers and management. Supplier Management: Evaluate supplier technical data/formulations, lead technical discussions and drive closure of development and quality issues. Leadership & Knowledge: Mentor junior engineers, build technical standards/best practices and demonstrate ownership, accountability and timely execution. 5. Desired Profile 7–12 years of relevant experience in automotive materials, polymer/rubber R&D, material development or application engineering. Deep expertise in at least 1–2 material technology domains, with working knowledge of multiple other non-metallic material areas. Proven experience in material development, application engineering and failure analysis. Exposure to automotive product development, supplier development and validation. Strong combination of technical depth, independent judgement, problem-solving and execution capability. Candidates with only routine laboratory/testing or inspection experience are not preferred. 6. Preferred Talent Pool / Target Companies Automotive OEM / R&D : Bajaj Auto | Tata Motors | Mahindra & Mahindra | TVS Motor | Hero MotoCorp | Maruti Suzuki | Hyundai/Kia | Toyota | Honda | Mercedes-Benz | Volkswagen/Škoda | Stellantis Automotive Tier-1 / Component : Motherson | Bosch | Continental | ZF | Valeo | Forvia | Aptiv | Dana | Vibracoustic | Freudenberg | Röchling | Hutchinson | Trelleborg RM / Polymer / Rubber / Adhesive / Foam / TIM Suppliers : SABIC | BASF | Covestro | Celanese | Envalior | Syensqo | Avient | LyondellBasell | Borealis | LG Chem | Mitsubishi Chemical | Freudenberg | Trelleborg | Datwyler | Hutchinson | NOK | Zeon | ARLANXEO | KRAIBURG | Wacker | Dow | Momentive | Synthomer | Henkel | 3M | Sika | H.B. Fuller | Bostik | Huntsman | Arkema | LORD | Parker Chomerics | Shin-Etsu | Laird Performance Materials | Boyd | Honeywell | Recticel | Carpenter | Armacell | Rogers | Zotefoams Preferred background: Candidates from automotive R&D, Tier-1/component development, polymer/rubber compounding, adhesives, foams, TIM/thermal-management materials or advanced materials R&D, with demonstrated experience in material development, application engineering, characterization, failure analysis and technical problem solving. 7. Education B.E./B.Tech./M.E./M.Tech. in Polymer Technology, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Plastics/Rubber Technology or related discipline. 8. Core Profile needs Material Science Depth | Independent Technical Judgement | Problem Solving | Application Understanding | Technology Development | Supplier Influence | Innovation | Execution | Technical Leadership | Individual Contribution