Principal Engineer - Body Integrated Systems

Responsibilities & Key Deliverables

- Lead the Body Integrated Systems (BIS) CoE for tractor platforms, covering Chassis & Frontal Systems, Rear Systems, Cabin & Driver Space, and project-led systems including ROPS, FOPS, styling, fabrication and body integration scope.
- Own system-level feasibility inputs, target setting and achievement of TCP targets for BIS systems across platforms.
- Provide technical direction to ensure timely delivery of BIS engineering deliverables including SORs, concepts, L0/L1/L2 drawings, CAD/packaging approvals, TKO readiness and engineering sign-offs.
- Drive configurability, standardisation and modularity across tractor platforms while balancing performance, cost, quality, manufacturing feasibility, supplier feasibility and customer requirements.
- Lead concept evaluation and trade-off decisions across chassis, frontal, rear, cabin, operator environment, structures and styling interfaces to achieve platform targets without compromising safety, durability and manufacturability.
- Debottleneck cross-CoE / platform interface conflicts and provide feasible engineering options for scope changes, ORCs, validation concerns, field issues and supplier/manufacturing constraints.
- Own technical sign-off for BIS systems, including engineering assessment, design reviews, drawing releases, tolerance / GD&T adequacy, packaging compatibility, validation readiness and tooling kick-off decisions.
- Lead project execution across new product development, refresh programmes, current product improvement, cost reduction, localisation, quality improvement and variant / market expansion requirements.
- Partner with Platform, VA, CEA, Build & Validation, CDMM, Manufacturing, Quality, Service, Suppliers and Styling teams to ensure seamless design-to-delivery execution.
- Build and execute the BIS technology roadmap for lightweighting, modular cabins, driver comfort, operator safety, styling integration, structural durability, manufacturability, standardisation and future tractor architecture readiness.
- Guide supplier development, DFM/DFA reviews, prototype build support, testing/validation issue closure, productionisation and field concern resolution for BIS components and systems.
- Develop organisational capability by mentoring Sub-CoE Heads, Project Heads and engineers; strengthening design reviews, knowledge management, technical depth, succession pipeline and performance culture.
- Allocate resources across platforms and projects based on business priorities, technical complexity, project gates, workload and criticality.
- Escalate delivery deviations with system-level risk assessment and mitigation plans; ensure timely decisions at stage gates.

Experience

18-25 years overall experience, with significant leadership exposure in product development / vehicle systems / body engineering.

Industry Preferred

Tractor OEMs, agricultural equipment, off-highway equipment, construction equipment, commercial vehicles, automotive body engineering, vehicle integration, cabin / operator environment, chassis / structural systems.

Qualifications

B.E. / B.Tech in Mechanical / Automobile / Production / Agricultural Engineering or related discipline. M.E. / M.Tech / MBA / executive leadership certification preferred.

General Requirements

Customer-centric, technically strong, decisive, collaborative, structured, execution-oriented, talent developer, resilient under ambiguity, comfortable with trade-off decisions, strong stakeholder manager, high ownership mindset.

Strategic technical leadership: Ability to convert business / platform priorities into system-level targets, technology roadmaps and capability plans.
Cross-functional influence: Aligns Platform, CoEs, CDMM, Manufacturing, Quality, Service, Suppliers and Validation teams around common delivery outcomes.
Decision quality: Makes timely trade-offs on cost, performance, quality, manufacturability, safety, packaging and schedule.
Execution governance: Drives stage-gate discipline, risk mitigation, escalation, design reviews and milestone adherence.
People leadership: Builds depth in Sub-CoE Heads / Project Heads, mentors engineers, creates succession pipeline and improves technical capability.
Customer orientation: Integrates voice of customer, field feedback, serviceability, ergonomics and operator comfort into engineering solutions.
Innovation and standardisation mindset: Drives modularity, configurability, reuse, value engineering and technology adoption across platforms.
Business acumen: Understands TCP, cost drivers, resource utilisation, supplier ecosystem, launch readiness and lifecycle priorities.

Functional Competencies:

- Body integrated systems: Chassis and frontal systems, rear systems, cabin and driver space, fabrication systems, semi chassis, MMB, drawbar, fenders, platform/body interfaces and operator environment.
- Projects and safety structures: ROPS, FOPS, styling integration, cabin / low-cost cabin / configurable cabin programmes, structural durability and application-specific tractor body solutions.
- Product development: SOR creation, concept selection, 3D layout, CAD packaging, drawing release, GD&T, tolerance stack-up, DFMEA, DVP&R, DFM/DFA, validation planning and engineering sign-off.
- Systems engineering and architecture: Requirement cascade, interface management, configuration management, commonality, modularity, platform scalability and system-level trade-off management.
- Manufacturing and supplier interface: Sheet metal fabrication, welding, casting/forging interface understanding, plastics / trims / cabin-related parts, tooling feasibility, supplier development, value engineering and launch support.
- Quality and field issue resolution: ORC closure, root cause analysis, structured problem solving, warranty / field feedback interpretation, corrective actions and design robustness.
- Digital / productivity tools: CAD/PLM awareness, design review tools, project trackers, engineering change management, data-based dashboards and documentation discipline.
- Leadership tools: Resource planning, project governance, competency building, knowledge management, stakeholder communication and performance reviews.

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