Job Description SummaryWe are seeking a visionary R&D; leader to oversee our Automation & Controls engineering organization across the APAC region. Managing a multidisciplinary team of 60+ engineers, you will lead the end-to-end development of industrial control products and integrated systems for mission-critical sectors, including Marine, Naval, Industrial, and Grid.

As a key member of our leadership team, you will bridge the gap between strategic vision and operational execution. You will champion innovation, drive software excellence, and ensure the delivery of robust, scalable solutions. Your leadership will ensure the standard for quality, cybersecurity, and operational efficiency, directly impacting our global product portfolio and customer success.

Job DescriptionKey Responsibilities

Leadership and Management

Lead, mentor, and develop the R&D; organization, fostering a collaborative, high-performance cultureManage day-to-day personnel matters and support long-term career development across teamsSet explicit objectives and KPIs, ensuring alignment with organizational goalsConduct regular performance reviews and provide constructive feedbackPromote professional growth and career development opportunities within the team

Strategic Planning

Develop and implement a strategic vision for the automation and controls platformWork closely with Product Managers to define and implement the strategy for industrial control products and integrated automation systems across PCS businessesIdentify emerging trends and technologies in automation, controls, and cybersecurity to drive innovationPlan and organize teams based on the business requirements and emerging trends with clear ownership Collaborate with cross-functional teams (product managers, program managers, etc.) to align platform strategies with business objectivesWorking with domain experts, define, develop, and maintain control system architectures that meet industry-specific requirements and can be efficiently engineered on projects.

Team Oversight

Oversee the Software team, developing real-time industrial controllers, industrial communications protocols, Windows-based HMIs, engineering tools,



and remote monitoring & diagnostic applicationsOversee the OT Cyber team to ensure robust cybersecurity measures are in place for operational technologyOversee the Core Controls team to design and implement advanced control systemsOversee the Validation team to ensure all platform validations meet quality and regulatory standardsCreate and Oversee teams based on Business priority and future requirements

Project Management

Ensure timely delivery of projects by coordinating efforts across sub-teamsManage project budgets and resources; monitor actual expenditures and costs against delivered benefits and agreed KPIsFacilitate communication between teams to resolve conflicts and ensure smooth executionReport project progress at regular intervals within the development organization and to key stakeholders

Global & Stakeholder Engagement

Act as the primary point of contact for stakeholders, including clients, senior management, and other departmentsLiaise with equivalent development leaders and teams across other regions to coordinate resources, developments, and processes, ensuring resulting products and systems are compatible and adhere to common global standardsPresent progress reports, project updates, and strategic plans to stakeholdersBuild and maintain strong relationships with internal stakeholders, external partners, and vendors

Compliance, Quality, and Continuous Improvement

Ensure all team activities comply with industry standards, regulations, and company policiesRefine software development processes (including IEC 62443 SDLC) across the department to drive continuous improvement and consistency in quality, cybersecurity, and coding practicesDrive certification of products and systems to recognized standards in cybersecurity (e.g., IEC 62443/NIST) and integrity (e.g., IEC 61508/NIST)Drive a continuous improvement culture including reuse, cross-team cooperation, knowledge management, and lessons learnedEnsure technical choices and team skill sets support long-term maintainability, upgradeability,



and service support of products throughout their lifecycle

Qualifications

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical/Electronic Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field (Master's degree preferred)Experience

Minimum 15 years of experience in automation and controls, including at least 5 years in a leadership roleProven record of leading software/engineering teams in the development of complex productsProven experience managing large, diverse engineering teamsExtensive knowledge of OT cybersecurity, FPGA-based control systems, validation processes, and Windows-based software developmentExperience leading Agile programs and knowledge of SDLC standards (e.g., IEC 62443-4-1)Knowledge of product development practices, including applicable rules, regulations, customer standards, intellectual property rights, and export controlSkills

Strong leadership and team management skillsExcellent strategic planning and analytical abilitiesProficiency in project management methodologies and tools (e.g., MS Project, Excel, PowerPoint)Outstanding communication and presentation skills with both technical and non-technical stakeholdersDeep understanding of industry standards and regulations related to automation and controlsAbility to earn the respect of a diverse group of people — from early-career engineers to senior company leaders — both internally and with external stakeholdersStrong decision-making skills, with the ability to process a wide range of information, make timely and clear decisions, and know when to escalate issuesFlexibility to continuously monitor projects and technologies, and to change direction when neededAbility to operate effectively under pressure in a multi-skilled, multi-disciplinary environment with many parallel activitiesPreferred Qualifications

Certifications in Project Management (PMP), Cybersecurity (CISSP, CISM), or Professional Engineer(PE)Experience with agile methodologies and SecDevOps practicesFamiliarity with emerging technologies such as IoT, AI, and machine learning in the context of automation and controlsFamiliarity with ABS, DNV, LR standards for MarineFamiliarity with IEC 62443 requirements for Cyber

Additional InformationRelocation Assistance Provided: Yes

📌 Automation & Controls R&D Leader APAC (Chennai)
🏢 GE Vernova
📍 Chennai