Pune, Maharashtra, India, April 2026 – Kirloskar Oil Engines Limited (KOEL) has announced the appointment of Rakesh Kumar as Head of Recruitment & Onboarding, strengthening its talent acquisition leadership as the organization continues to scale its workforce and capabilities across global markets. In this role, Rakesh will lead recruitment strategy, employer branding, and onboarding excellence, supporting KOEL’s long-term growth and talent agenda.
Prior to joining Kirloskar Oil Engines Limited, Rakesh Kumar served as Talent Acquisition Leader at Gilbarco Veeder-Root, where he led India talent acquisition strategy, including campus hiring, employer branding, and recruitment process automation. He also managed recruiting budgets and drove data-driven performance tracking for hiring efficiency.
Earlier, he worked with Qualys as Principal Talent Acquisition, where he was responsible for end-to-end recruitment strategy and operations, hiring across diverse domains such as DevOps, AI/ML, cybersecurity, and data analytics. His experience included working with global stakeholders in matrix environments and leading complex hiring programs across technical and business functions.
Before this, Rakesh spent over a decade at Cummins India as Executive Manager – HR, where he led large-scale recruitment initiatives, workforce planning, leadership hiring, and long-term talent strategies aligned with business growth. He played a key role in designing sourcing strategies and managing end-to-end recruitment lifecycle processes.
He began his career with Mafoi Randstad Consultants Limited as an Assistant Consultant, where he handled recruitment across industries including IT, pharma, healthcare, and manufacturing, building a strong foundation in talent acquisition and client management.
About Kirloskar Oil Engines Limited
Kirloskar Oil Engines Limited (KOEL) is a leading manufacturer of diesel engines and generator sets, serving residential, commercial, and agricultural sectors. With a legacy spanning over 130 years, KOEL is recognized as India’s largest producer of non-automotive diesel-powered engines and has a strong global presence across more than 50 countries.
Headquartered in Pune, the company operates multiple state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities and a wide distribution network. With a focus on innovation, sustainability, and community development, KOEL continues to drive progress across industries while contributing to social development through initiatives in health, education, and employment.
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