We are seeking a highly experienced and visionary Principal Engineer / Engineering Manager to lead the design, development, and integration of next-generation multi-axle (6x6, 8x8, 10x10, 12x12) military trucks and tactical vehicles .

In this role, you will leverage your 10+ years of automotive expertise to spearhead complex engineering projects from concept to combat-ready deployment. You will be responsible for ensuring that vehicle architectures meet stringent military standards (MIL-STD, EMI-EMC, JSS-55555, JSG-521, CMVR norms etc), possess high mobility in extreme terrains, and deliver uncompromised reliability under tactical conditions.

Technical Leadership & Architecture

- Lead the vehicle architecture and system integration for multi-axle heavy-duty military platforms.
- Optimize driveline and powertrain configurations specific to multi-axle steering systems, transfer cases, and multi-drive axles, Twin axle steering system, PTO etc.
- Oversee advanced chassis design , high-mobility suspension systems (independent, hydro-pneumatic, or heavy-duty leaf/ Bogie suspension), and central tire inflation systems (CTIS).
- Integrate military-specific subsystems , including cabin armoring (ballistic/blast protection), weapon mounts, blackout lighting, and tactical communication systems.

Project & Team Management

- Direct cross-functional engineering teams (structures, powertrain, electrical, and simulation) to deliver projects on time and within budget.
- Manage the engineering roadmap from initial RFP / Tender mapping, packaging studies and prototyping to final production release.

Compliance, Testing & Validation

- Ensure full compliance with global military standards (e.g., MIL-STD-810 , MIL-STD-461 , NATO STANAG , DEFSTAN ).
- Define validation plans for physical testing, including structural durability, extreme climate operations in desert & high Altitude Area, high-mobility obstacle crossing,



and transportability (air/rail/sea).
- Review Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) reports to validate structural integrity and thermal management.
- Knowledge of HVAC system.

Vendor & Stakeholder Collaboration

- Collaborate with defense partners , military clients, and global suppliers to source specialized defense-grade components.
- Present technical proposals and engineering design reviews (PDR/CDR) to internal leadership and external military stakeholders. Excellent presentation skills.

Required Skills and Qualifications

- Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering .
- Experience: 10 to 15 years of progressive experience in heavy commercial vehicles (HCV) or defense automotive engineering, with at least 5 years specifically focused on multi-axle or tactical military platforms .
- Core Technical Expertise:
- Deep understanding of multi-axle steering geometry , heavy-duty suspension kinematics, and complex all-wheel-drive (AWD) systems.
- Experience with high-torque powertrains, automatic/automated manual transmissions, and specialized electronic braking systems (ABS/EBS tailored for off-road).
- Knowledge of materials and manufacturing processes for armored hulls, high-strength steel chassis structures, and blast-mitigation design.
- Knowledge of HVAC system
- Software Proficiency: Mastery of 3D CAD platforms (e.g., Creo, CATIA ) and PLM systems (e.g., Windchill or Teamcenter).
- Regulatory Knowledge: Robust working knowledge of defense procurement processes, ITAR regulations and military vehicle certification procedures.

Preferred Attributes

- Strong problem-solving mindset with the ability to make critical decisions under tight project timelines.
- Exceptional technical communication skills tailored for interacting with military personnel and technical specialists.
- Prior experience in localized defense programs or government-sponsored R&D; projects.

📌 Technical Specialist - Heavy Duty & Multi-Axle Military Vehicles (Pune)
🏢 TATA Advanced Systems
📍 Pune