Chief Technology Officer - Automotive Product Development

Role Purpose:

The CTO will drive innovation, ensure compliance with global standards, and strengthen the organizations competitive edge through cutting-edge, sustainable, and intelligent illumination technologies.

Key Roles & Responsibilities

Technology Vision & Roadmap

- Anticipate industry trends such as LED, OLED, Laser, Adaptive Matrix Lighting, Digital Lighting, and V2X light communication.

- Develop a long-term roadmap for interior and exterior lighting and signaling technologies supporting

safety, sustainability, and electrification.

Research, Development & Innovation

- Drive innovation in smart and connected signaling systems (e.g., communication through lighting for ADAS & autonomous vehicles).

- Oversee prototype development, validation, and industrialization.

- Ensure strong IP generation (patents, designs, trademarks) to secure market leadership.

Product Development & Engineering Excellence

- Focus on design for manufacturability, modular platforms, and scalable solutions.

- Promote use of new materials, optical designs, and semiconductor-based technologies.

- Enhance integration of electronics, sensors, and software-defined lighting functions.

Standards, Compliance & Quality

- Drive quality processes including APQP, PPAP, DFMEA, PFMEA, ISO 9001, IATF 16949.

- Establish strong validation frameworks for safety, durability, and reliability.

Digital & Smart Technologies

- Drive vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) and vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) signaling innovations.

- Collaborate with ADAS and EV platform teams for seamless system integration.

Customer & Market Alignment

- Support the business development team in showcasing technology leadership to win new projects.

- Translate customer insights into product innovations and competitive advantages.

Partnerships & Ecosystem Building

- Represent the company at global forums and industry standardization bodies.

- Build strong relationships with semiconductor, optical, and electronics suppliers.

Talent Development & Leadership

- Foster a culture of innovation, agility, and continuous learning.

- Promote cross-functional and global collaboration across R&D hubs.

Business & Strategic Contribution

- Contribute to strategic decisions on new product lines, acquisitions, and technology investments.

- Drive technology differentiation to support revenue growth and market expansion.

Education

- Masters degree / PhD in Automotive Engineering, Optics, or Applied Physics preferred.

- Additional certifications in Automotive Standards, Quality Systems, or Technology Management is an advantage.

Experience

- Proven track record in automotive lighting and signaling systems (headlamps, tail lamps, DRLs, ambient lighting, signaling electronics).

- Strong experience in leading global R&D and technology organizations.

- Exposure to OEM & Tier-1 collaboration for technology co-development.

- Hands-on involvement in concept-to-launch product development lifecycle.

- Experience with global automotive homologation standards (ECE, SAE, FMVSS).

- Prior experience in managing multi-site engineering teams across geographies is highly desirable.

Technical Skills & Expertise

- Strong understanding of optics, photometry, electronics, and software-defined lighting systems.

- Expertise in signal and safety systems (turn indicators, brake lights, communication via lighting).

- Familiarity with semiconductors, sensors, driver ICs, thermal management, and material science.

- Strong grounding in DFMEA, PFMEA, APQP, PPAP, ISO 9001, IATF 16949.

- Knowledge of ADAS integration, EV/Autonomous platform requirements, V2X signaling.

- Visionary mindset with ability to define technology roadmaps and align them with business goals.

- Proven ability to drive innovation, IP creation, and patents.

- Strong stakeholder management skills OEMs, suppliers, internal teams, and regulatory bodies.

- Demonstrated success in leading global engineering teams, fostering collaboration and innovation.

- Experience in budget planning, R&D investment decisions, and cost optimization.

- Strong communicator with the ability to represent the company in global forums and standardization committees.