Head of R&D & Product Development (Automotive)

Company Overview Our client is a Rapidly Expanding Regional Automotive Pioneer & Leading Commercialized Two-Wheeler / Smart Mobility Enterprise. Driven by a mission to deliver innovative, stylish, and high-reliability mobility solutions across Southeast Asia, the brand operates a integrated ecosystem spanning vehicle assembly, styling design, component sourcing, and nationwide distribution networks.

To spearhead their next-phase growth, EV/ICE product line expansion, and vehicle homologation roadmap, executive leadership is seeking a hands-on, commercialized Head of R&D & Product Development.

Position Overview

Reporting directly to the Group Managing Director, the Head of R&D & Product Development serves as the primary technical authority and strategic lead for all vehicle design, engineering validation, product lifecycle management, and regulatory homologation activities. This role bridges technical execution with commercial viability—overseeing end-to-end product development from initial styling concepts through prototype testing, vendor sourcing, JPJ/VTA regulatory approvals, and mass assembly startup.

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic Leadership & Innovation Roadmap Formulate and execute the group’s overarching product development strategy and multi-year vehicle innovation roadmap aligned with business expansion goals. Identify emerging automotive technologies, EV/ICE powertrain developments, market trends, and consumer preferences to define high-yield product portfolio expansions. Cultivate a high-performance culture centered on technical excellence, design innovation, cost optimization, and continuous product reliability improvements.
2. End-to-End Product Development & Lifecycle Management Oversee the end-to-end vehicle development process from concept generation, CAD modeling, and prototyping to mass production handover. Establish comprehensive product specifications, engineering standards, structural durability benchmarks, and performance targets. Manage full product lifecycle activities—including model upgrades, aesthetic facelifts, feature enhancements, and value-engineering cost reduction projects. Drive tight cross-functional collaboration with Sales, Marketing, Procurement, Quality Control, and Plant Assembly teams to ensure on-time, on-budget launches.
3. R&D Engineering, Styling & Prototyping Direct vehicle styling direction, industrial design language, and ergonomic layouts, ensuring aesthetic appeal aligns with target consumer demographics and brand DNA. Lead structural, mechanical, and electrical engineering design reviews, approving technical evaluations, stress analyses, and testing results. Direct physical prototype builds, bench testing, track validation, road endurance trials, and root-cause failure investigations to eliminate design defects prior to production.
4. Vehicle Homologation & Statutory Regulatory Compliance Lead all vehicle homologation, Vehicle Type Approval (VTA), and statutory certification activities to ensure 100% compliance with Malaysian (JPJ, MIROS, SIRIM) and international standards. Maintain strong, professional working relationships with relevant government agencies, testing bodies, and regulatory authorities. Monitor evolving automotive safety codes, emission/EV compliance standards, and statutory policies, assessing their impact on current and future vehicle programs.
5. Project, Budget & Supply Chain Management Develop and manage departmental operating budgets, project resource allocations, tooling expenses, and development timelines. Collaborate closely with overseas OEM partners, component suppliers, and technology providers; lead technical negotiations, component selection, and vendor capability audits. Identify project risks early, establishing proactive mitigation plans and presenting progress updates directly to the Group Managing Director.
6. Team Leadership & Talent Development Lead, mentor, and develop a multi-disciplinary team encompassing R&D engineers, product designers, homologation specialists, and styling technicians. Establish clear departmental KPIs, performance metrics, and structured capability-building pathways to cultivate internal technical succession.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree or Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, Mechatronics, Industrial Design, or a related discipline. Work Experience: Minimum 8–10+ years of progressive engineering and product development experience within the Automotive, Two-Wheeler (Motorcycles/Scooters), EV, or Commercial Vehicle manufacturing sectors, with at least 3–5 years in a managerial or lead capacity.

Homologation Mastery: Direct hands-on experience navigating Vehicle Type Approval (VTA), JPJ submissions, and Malaysian automotive regulatory frameworks. Technical Breadth: Strong background spanning vehicle assembly, chassis/powertrain integration, component sourcing, vendor development, and CAD/engineering drawing reviews.

Personal Traits & Core Competencies Commercial & Business Acumen: Strategic thinker capable of balancing engineering rigor with market relevance, bill-of-materials (BOM) cost control, and commercial profitability. Hands-on Execution: Pragmatic leader who comfortably transitions between high-level executive strategy and shopfloor troubleshooting during prototype builds and trial runs.

Communication & Stakeholder Management: Decisive, articulate, and resilient communicator capable of managing cross-functional alignment and overseas supplier technical discussions.