I’m a systems engineer with over fifteen years of experience working on automated driving, powertrain and vehicle systems. My journey began with a PhD in Mechanical Engineering, specializing in thermodynamic modeling of automotive powertrains, and has evolved into advancing the use of simulation tools to speed up autonomous systems development. Outside of work, I share my thoughts on technology, history, and more on my Substack @ididacalculation.
2022 -
I joined Applied Intuition in July 2022 at their head office in Mountain View, CA, as the second member of the Systems Engineering team. In this role, I collaborate closely with customers and developers to ensure the safe development, testing, and deployment of autonomous mobility solutions, with a focus on the off-road domain.
2020 - 2022
I joined Audi's newly established Automated Driving Development R&D office in San Jose, CA, in April 2020 as one of its first ten employees. As a Senior Development Engineer for ADAS, I focused on systems engineering for SAE Level 2 hands-free and Level 3 driving assist technologies, testing and validating the current Level 2 system to identify corner cases, diagnose root causes, and propose solutions. I also worked on software prototyping and integration, providing rapid feedback to developers on system performance. In addition to these technical responsibilities, I played a key role in building the team at the new office, interviewing over ten candidates and hiring several developers.
2018 - 2020
Byton was a Chinese-German all-electric vehicle brand founded by former BMW and Nissan executives. I joined their Santa Clara, CA R&D office in January 2018 to contribute to the development of the fully electric M-Byte SUV. As a Technical Lead in Powertrain Systems Analysis, I played a key role in driving the M-Byte’s performance and energy attributes toward SOP targets. My work involved leveraging modeling, simulation, dyno testing, and on-road testing to assess system performance, identify gaps, and implement improvements. Collaborating cross-functionally, I worked with engineering teams across powertrain and chassis to enhance performance, while also engaging with management and marketing teams to provide updates and ensure accurate external messaging.
2015 - 2018
I joined the Ford Research and Innovation Center in Dearborn, MI, in June 2015 as an Electrified Propulsion Systems Research Engineer within the Vehicle Systems Analysis Group. In this role, I led several modeling, simulation, and analysis projects, providing critical upfront input to new hybrid and electric vehicle programs, resulting in significant cost savings for the company. My work included developing a new combustion engine model, which, combined with on-premises HPC, reduced calibration time for a new engine program by an order of magnitude. I also coupled production control code with a powertrain model to diagnose and explain performance and efficiency issues identified during testing. Additionally, I utilized vehicle usage data from various sources to define electrification requirements for large Ford vehicles.
2008 - 2015
I began graduate school in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, in 2008, where I worked in the Auto Lab under the guidance of Professors Dennis Assanis, Claus Borgnakke, and Jason Martz. My research was part of a $12 million multi-university project funded by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and Robert Bosch LLC, aimed at demonstrating the commercial feasibility of Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition (HCCI) technology for production engines. Using CFD and engine dynamometer testing, I explored the underlying physics of HCCI combustion. This work culminated in my dissertation, where I developed a faster-than-real-time 0D model of HCCI combustion, designed to serve as a plant model for powertrain controls applications.
2003 - 2007
I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Vishwakarma Institute of Technology, University of Pune. Beyond laying the foundation for my engineering career, this is where I began exploring product development by participating in and hosting various competitions focused on building cars, robots, and electro-mechanical systems.