Celia Pelaz, a veteran with over 25 years in the defense and space industry, will become CEO of Schaeffler's 'Defence & New Space' division effective October 1, 2026. In this role, she will lead the management board of STech Defence GmbH, an independent subsidiary founded at the end of 2025 to focus on defense and New Space sectors. The appointment underscores Schaeffler's strategic commitment to these growth areas.
Pelaz most recently served as Chief Operating Officer and Member of the Management Board at Spire Global, Inc., a leading provider of satellite data and analytics, since January 2025. Her career began in 2001 at EADS, later Airbus Defence & Space (AD&S), where she held roles in operations, sales, and project management until mid-2014. She then led transformation and corporate secretary duties at AD&S, overseeing the carve-out of defense electronics activities that became Hensoldt AG. At Hensoldt, she served as Head of International Development, Strategy & Corporate Functions, Head of Strategic Business Development, and later Head of the Spectrum Dominance & Airborne Solutions Division. From July 2021 to August 2024, she was Chief Strategy Officer and a Member of the Executive Board, then Chief Operating Officer at Hensoldt.
STech Defence GmbH, based in Munich, positions itself as a preferred partner to defense and space industries in Germany and Europe. It leverages Schaeffler Group's broad capabilities in product development, manufacturing, and industrialization to deliver innovative solutions. Alongside Pelaz, Manfred Homm serves as CTO, and Dr. Christopher Koth is interim CFO.
Klaus Rosenfeld, CEO of Schaeffler AG, stated: 'We are very pleased to appoint Celia Pelaz, one of the most distinguished and experienced executives in the European defence and space industry, for Schaeffler. With her experience, expertise and leadership strength, she will make an important contribution as an internationally experienced expert to expanding Schaeffler Group’s defence and space business and shaping this important new growth field for the future.'
This move aligns with Schaeffler's goal to achieve a ten percent share of revenue in new growth areas outside its core business by 2035, including humanoid robotics, defense, and New Space. As a Motion Technology Company, Schaeffler sees unique potential to grow in these sectors. For more details, visit the original release at NewMediaWire.
