Schaeffler Appoints Celia Pelaz as CEO of Defence & New Space Subsidiary

Schaeffler AG announced on June 1, 2026, that Celia Pelaz (48) will become CEO of its "Defence & New Space" division effective October 1, 2026, and will also lead the management board of STech Defence GmbH, an independent subsidiary founded in late 2025. Pelaz brings more than 25 years of international experience in the defence and space industry, most recently serving as Chief Operating Officer at Spire Global, Inc., a satellite data and analytics provider.

The appointment underscores Schaeffler's strategic push into defence and New Space as key growth fields. The company aims to achieve a ten percent share of revenue from new growth areas outside its core business by 2035, including humanoid robotics, defence, and New Space. STech Defence GmbH, based in Munich, positions itself as a preferred partner to defence and space industries in Germany and Europe, leveraging Schaeffler's capabilities in product development, manufacturing, and industrialization.

Pelaz's career began in 2001 at EADS (now Airbus Defence & Space), where she held roles in operations, sales, and project management until 2014. She later led the carve-out of defence electronics activities that became Hensoldt AG, serving in various executive roles including Chief Strategy Officer and Chief Operating Officer. Her experience includes heading the Spectrum Dominance & Airborne Solutions Division at Hensoldt.

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. With her experience, expertise and leadership strength, she will make an important contribution to expanding Schaeffler Group's defence and space business."

STech Defence GmbH will focus on developing innovative solutions and products for defence and New Space, building on Schaeffler's product families. Alongside Pelaz, Manfred Homm serves as CTO, while Dr. Christopher Koth is interim CFO. The subsidiary's formation reflects Schaeffler's ambition to become a key player in these high-growth sectors, aligning with broader European efforts to bolster defence and space capabilities.

Pelaz holds a degree in technical engineering from Escuela Universitaria de Industria, Comercio y navegacion de Bilbao, Spain, and holds dual Spanish and German citizenship. This appointment signals Schaeffler's commitment to leveraging top-tier talent to capture opportunities in defence and New Space, areas of increasing strategic importance amid global geopolitical shifts and space commercialization.