Anand Bhattar
Sterling Heights,MI
Summary
Systems Engineering professional with 13+ years of experience in automotive ECU validation, specializing in HIL systems, CAN network management, and test automation. Skilled in defining validation strategies, establishing KPIs, and delivering scalable automation solutions. Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams, drive technical reviews, and align validation with program goals while improving test coverage and enabling efficient issue resolution.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
HIL Engineer (Technical Lead – Network Validation)
Ford Motor Company
Dearborn, MI
12.2025 - Current
- Defined and operationalized KPIs for CAN Network Management (NM) by analyzing system requirements, DBC specifications, and network behaviors (sleep/wake, active/passive wake-up, message mapping, fault injection); translated into scalable validation strategies and ECUTest automation using Python APIs.
- Conducted gap analysis across requirements and validation coverage, identifying high-risk scenarios and leading development of new test cases and automation frameworks to improve robustness and edge-case coverage.
- Led cross-functional technical reviews with Network, Integration, and D&R teams to define clear verification criteria and align validation with system design intent.
- Owned validation roadmap and execution planning, including KPI tracking, effort estimation, and milestone delivery across onsite and offshore teams.
- Drove client/stakeholder reviews, presenting validation status, risks, and mitigation strategies to ensure alignment with program timelines.
- Provided technical leadership and mentorship, guiding automation development, debugging approaches, and conducting training sessions for team members.
- Managed defect lifecycle in Jira, including triage, prioritization, and coordination for root cause analysis and closure.
- Led system-level debugging across HIL setups and CAN communication, improving test stability and execution efficiency.
Senior Systems Engineer – Electric Park Brake Applications
Akebono Brake Corporation
Farmington Hills, MI
09.2021 - 12.2025
- Led end-to-end system validation lifecycle for EPB systems, including DVP&R planning, execution, analysis, and reporting for design release.
- Defined verification strategies and test specifications through requirement and design reviews, ensuring ISO 26262 compliance and ASPICE traceability.
- Designed and deployed dSPACE HIL systems, improving scalability and standardization across validation programs.
- Developed Python/CAPL automation frameworks and MATLAB/Python data analysis tools, reducing manual effort by ~40% and enhancing KPI-based validation reporting.
- Implemented CAN communication models (RTCANMM) and ECU state transition logic in MATLAB/Simulink to improve system-level validation accuracy.
- Led cross-functional debugging sessions across hardware/software domains, accelerating root cause analysis and resolution.
- Standardized vehicle-level validation methodologies, including test setups and instrumentation, achieving $70K cost savings and improving real-world validation quality.
- Mentored engineers and drove continuous improvement initiatives, including Lessons Learned, training, and process standardization.
HIL Validation Lead Engineer – Electric Power Steering (EPS) & ADAS Systems
Nexteer Automotive
Auburn Hills, MI
01.2016 - 09.2021
- Led full HIL Validation lifecycle from DVP&R test plan development through execution, data analysis, and reporting, ensuring ASPICE compliant test coverage and traceability.
- Collaborated with system design team to define and refine requirements for EPS features, and deriving verification criteria to achieve comprehensive validation coverage.
- Supported OTA/cybersecurity validation, covering Secure Boot, JTAG lockout, and secure firmware update mechanisms for ECU protection.
- Developed MATLAB/Simulink & NI LabVIEW models and automated validation-using dSPACE AutomationDesk, NI TestStand, and CANoe/CANape for ECU testing and data analysis.
- Developed and executed fault-injection and robustness scenarios on EPS systems to verify safety boundaries and functional resilience under error conditions.
- Conducted hardware validation of EPS controllers, analyzing SPI and I²C communication signals to verify signal integrity and interface performance.
- Collaborated with software and calibration teams to troubleshoot issues found during testing providing data-driven insights that accelerated root-cause identification and fix validation.
- Contributed to and ensured zero non-conformances in ASPICE audits, earning senior leadership recognition for process excellence.
- Provided technical guidance and onboarding support to new engineers, enhancing team efficiency and ensuring consistency in HIL validation practices.
HIL Validation Engineer – Infotainment System Validation
Stellantis
Auburn Hills, MI
06.2013 - 01.2016
- Performed requirement analysis at the ECU level for infotainment components including head units, digital clusters, and audio amplifiers, based on vehicle functions and technical specifications.
- Led test bench setup and simulation environment configuration to validate infotainment ECUs.
- Developed and executed automated, semi-automated tests (Vector Canoe) and manual test cases aligned with validation strategies.
- Conducted test execution and failure analysis, ensuring accurate and timely defect logging and reporting.
- Led Triage meetings with cross-functional teams to prioritize issues, determine root causes, and define resolution plans.
HIL Simulation Engineer – Locomotive & Off-Highway Vehicle Projects
GE Transportation
Erie, PA
05.2012 - 05.2013
- Built and validated simulated HIL models for inverter panels.
- Conducted system-level requirement analysis, developed test procedures for validation, and automated the test procedures using LabVIEW.
- Maintained and debugged LabVIEW-based simulation models, to ensure smooth test execution, and worked closely with cross-functional teams to process test data and generate validation reports.
Education
M.S. - Electrical Engineering
Gannon University
Erie, PA05-2012
B.Tech - Electronics and Communications Engineering
Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University (JNTU)
India05-2010
Skills
- HIL Platforms: dSPACE (ControlDesk, AutomationDesk, SYNECT), NI TestStand
- Automation & Scripting: Python, CAPL, MATLAB/Simulink, ECUTest
- DAQ Tools: Vector CANoe, CANape; Oscilloscopes, Multimeters, NI MAX, Logic Analyzers
- Communication Protocols: CAN, CAN FD, LIN, Ethernet, FlexRay, UDS, I2C, SENT, SPI
- Requirements & Traceability: IBM DOORS, Excel
- Electrical Drawings: Wiring schematics, Harness Drawings, Network Diagrams
Certification
dSpace tools - ControlDesk, AutomationDesk , SYNECT, Real Time Systems training certifications
Timeline
HIL Engineer (Technical Lead – Network Validation)
Ford Motor Company
12.2025 - Current
Senior Systems Engineer – Electric Park Brake Applications
Akebono Brake Corporation
09.2021 - 12.2025
HIL Validation Lead Engineer – Electric Power Steering (EPS) & ADAS Systems
Nexteer Automotive
01.2016 - 09.2021
HIL Validation Engineer – Infotainment System Validation
Stellantis
06.2013 - 01.2016
HIL Simulation Engineer – Locomotive & Off-Highway Vehicle Projects
GE Transportation
05.2012 - 05.2013
B.Tech - Electronics and Communications Engineering
Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University (JNTU)
M.S. - Electrical Engineering
Gannon University
AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS
Awarded five Gold Level Recognitions for excellence in test planning and execution., Outstanding Student for Academic Excellence, Gannon University (ECE), Erie, PA., IEEE-HKN Honor Society Inductee