Schaeffler Strengthens Defence and Space Ambitions with Appointment of Celia Pelaz as CEO of STech Defence GmbH

Celia Pelaz (48) will become CEO of “Defence & New Space” at Schaeffler effective October 1, 2026. (Image: Celia Pelaz)

(IN BRIEF) Schaeffler AG has named Celia Pelaz as CEO of its “Defence & New Space” business, effective October 1, 2026, placing her in charge of the management board of STech Defence GmbH, the company’s newly established independent subsidiary focused on defence and New Space activities. Pelaz brings more than 25 years of international leadership experience in aerospace, defence and space, including senior roles at Spire Global, Airbus Defence & Space and Hensoldt AG. STech Defence GmbH, based in Munich, will use Schaeffler’s capabilities in product development, manufacturing, industrialization and technology platforms to serve defence and space customers in Germany and Europe. The appointment supports Schaeffler’s wider strategy to expand into new growth fields beyond its core business, with the company aiming for areas such as defence, New Space and humanoid robotics to account for ten percent of revenue by 2035.

(PRESS RELEASE) HERZOGENAURACH, 1-Jun-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — Schaeffler AG has appointed Celia Pelaz as CEO of its “Defence & New Space” business, effective October 1, 2026. In her new role, Pelaz will assume responsibility for the management board of STech Defence GmbH, the independent Schaeffler subsidiary established at the end of 2025 to bring together the group’s activities in the defence and New Space sectors.

The appointment marks an important step in the development of one of Schaeffler’s strategic growth areas. “Defence & New Space” has been identified as a field of overarching importance for the company as it works to expand beyond its established core business and build new revenue streams for the long term.

STech Defence GmbH, based in Munich, is being positioned as a dedicated partner for the defence and space industries in Germany and across Europe. The subsidiary will draw on Schaeffler Group’s extensive expertise in product development, manufacturing, industrialization and established product families to develop and deliver advanced solutions and technologies for these markets.

Pelaz, 48, brings more than 25 years of international experience across the defence, aerospace and space sectors. She most recently served as Chief Operating Officer and Member of the Management Board at Spire Global, Inc., a global provider of satellite data, analytics and intelligence, a position she held from January 2025.

Her career began in 2001 at the European aerospace, space and defence group EADS, where she held several roles across operations, sales and project management. She continued her career within Airbus Defence & Space after the company’s rebranding, remaining with the organization until mid-2014.

Pelaz later became Head of Transformation and Corporate Secretary at Airbus Defence & Space, where her responsibilities included supporting the carve-out of defence electronics activities that subsequently became Hensoldt AG. She then joined Hensoldt in early 2016 as Head of International Development, Strategy and Corporate Functions, before moving into senior leadership positions including Head of Strategic Business Development and Head of the Spectrum Dominance & Airborne Solutions Division.

In July 2021, Pelaz was appointed Chief Strategy Officer and Member of the Executive Board of Hensoldt AG. She later served as Chief Operating Officer until August 2024, further strengthening her profile as one of the leading executives in Europe’s defence and space industry.

Alongside Pelaz, Manfred Homm serves as Chief Technology Officer of STech Defence GmbH. The Chief Financial Officer position is currently being covered on an interim basis by Dr. Christopher Köth.

Celia Pelaz studied technical engineering in Industrial Economy and Organization at Escuela Universitaria de Industria, Comercio y navegación de Bilbao in Spain. She holds both Spanish and German citizenship.

Klaus Rosenfeld, CEO of Schaeffler AG, welcomed the appointment and described Pelaz as one of the most experienced and distinguished executives in the European defence and space industry. He said her expertise, leadership and international experience will play an important role in expanding Schaeffler Group’s defence and space business and shaping this new growth field. Rosenfeld added that, as a Motion Technology Company, Schaeffler is strongly positioned among international suppliers to pursue significant growth in the defence and New Space sectors.

Schaeffler has set a target for new growth areas outside its core business to contribute ten percent of group revenue by 2035. These areas include humanoid robotics, defence and New Space.

Schaeffler Group – We pioneer motion: The Schaeffler Group has been driving forward groundbreaking inventions and developments in the field of motion technology for 80 years. With innovative technologies, products, and services for electric mobility, CO₂-efficient drives, chassis solutions and renewable energies, the company is a reliable partner for making motion more efficient, intelligent, and sustainable – over the entire life cycle. Schaeffler describes its comprehensive range of products and services by means of eight product families: From bearing solutions and all types of linear guidance systems through to repair and monitoring services. Schaeffler is with around 110,000 employees and more than 250 locations in 55 countries, one of the world’s largest family-owned companies and one of Germany’s most innovative companies.

Media contact:

Dr. Axel Lüdeke
Head of Group Communications & Public Affairs Schaeffler Group
Tel.: +49 9132 82 8901
E-mail: axel.luedeke@schaeffler.com

Heiko Eber
Head of Investor Relations
Tel.: +49 9132 82 88125
email: heiko.eber@schaeffler.com

SOURCE: Schaeffler AG