Harshavardhan Upendram
Novi,MI
Summary
Complex problem-solver with analytical and driven mindset. Dedicated to achieving demanding development objectives according to tight schedules while producing impeccable results. Hardworking and passionate job seeker with strong organizational skills eager to secure engineering position. Ready to help team achieve company goals.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
Work History
Staff Design & Release Engineer
Rivian Automotive
04.2021 - Current
- Led design and development of Seat complete systems from concept to SOP for R1S - 2nd & 3rd row seats and EDV driver & jump seats.
- Led multiple sub-system product development activities from concept to PPAP from 1st engineering principles and extensive supplier engagement.
- Led packaging studies of interior features & accessories e.g. comfort systems, driver & second row seats, tow hook storage, first aid kit box in EDV.
- EE sub-system packaging, Wire harness routing in jump seat & low voltage battery within the driver seat pedestal structure.
- Supplier sourcing via SOW, management from nomination, design milestones to PPAP sign-off and SOP
- Requirements management for performance, packaging and attributes, interfaced with studio, styling and concept teams for technical specifications.
- Led CAE, mold flow, DFM/DFA to optimize design, feasibility of plastic and structural components
- Successfully led problem-solving activities for design, manufacturing & supplier quality issues for SOP
- Responsible for developing & executing DVP&R, DFMEA per component technical specifications
- Led CFT, supplier forums for product development deliverables with system-based tracking and release management processes in Jira.
- Led continuous improvement activities for cost reduction and design optimization
Product Engineer
Ford Motor Company
07.2020 - 01.2021
- Core Seat Complete Engineer responsible for engaging in all aspects of work from pre-programming through launch
- Responsible for all phases of engineering and interacting with other engineers on the design team to coordinate CAD, CAE, & manufacturing operations
- Successfully conducted problem solving activities by applying 8D problem solving methodology.
- Led design reviews to review & sign-off on 2D & 3D Tool data & mold flow simulations.
- Applying DFMEA, DOE, tolerance design tools; signing-off on CAD models, drawings and related geometric dimensioning & tolerancing
- Liaising with design studio & package engineering to ensure correct surfacing, package and theme
- Responsible for developing & executing DVP&R, DFMEA per component technical specifications
- Championed continuous improvement initiatives within the engineering team, driving ongoing enhancements to both processes and products.
- Led prototype development efforts, refining designs based on user feedback and testing data.
- Assessed potential risks associated with design changes, making informed decisions that balanced innovation with practicality.
- Evaluated vendor proposals for component sourcing, selecting partners that provided the best value and reliability.
Product Engineer
Faurecia
09.2018 - 04.2020
- Lead Seat Complete Engineer for Nissan Rogue & Titan, responsible for producing designs that are feasible and economical to produce in the manufacturing facilities and processes available
- Spear headed projects related to seat structures, occupant safety, cushion & back foam and trim
- Provide alternative design solutions, analyses, justifications, and recommendations at the conceptual stage
- Facilitate selection of designs that achieve best possible trade-off of cost, timing, innovation and performance
- Lead root cause analysis and produce permanent corrective actions to solve quality & warranty issues related to seat structures, trim, foam, plastics and features like heating & ventilation
- Ensured that product designs meet customer requirements through direct consultation with customer technical personnel to determine their needs and wants
- Developed & executed DVP&R and ensured that the tests are completed and approved by the customer at the appropriate time
- Supported the sales team with technical data and customer presentation material as needed
- Formulated and implemented phases of a project to complete it within budget and to meet customer determined project milestones and completion target dates
- Successfully developed a process for Nitride Coating & welding of structural components.
Product Engineer - TVM
Ford Motor Company
10.2015 - 09.2018
- Lead seats value management (Cost Reduction) Projects for “Body-on-Frame” & “Unibody” Programs
- Ownership of Bill of Material (BOM) review for triage of all new and existing cost reduction ideas
- Responsible for complete seat components that includes trim, foam, plastics, structure & seat features (heat & cool systems, power and manual lumbar, headrest & guide sleeves, Armrests)
- Led a series of cross vehicle line cost reduction projects through the change control process
- Led Market alignment activities for Seating Department & identified best in class designs through competitive benchmarking studies
- Develop and Lead Design Validation Tests for engineering changes
- Led discussions with Core Product development teams on New Product feasibility and implementation plans
- Led discussions with studio, marketing, purchasing, financial and program teams to obtain change approvals as required
- Manage CR (WERS Concern) generation and approval process for TVM ideas
- Ford Motor Company Recognition award for implementing a new styled seat in just 79days and saving $1.1M annually in the year 2018
- Ford Motor Company “Body-on-Frame Body Interior Achievement Award” for delivering the 1st quarter Seat TVM target in the 1st quarter of 2017.
Vehicle Test Technician
Autoliv
08.2015 - 10.2015
- Worked with product design teams & associated engineers to deliver assigned work tasks on time and of high quality
- Conducted tests to evaluate the performance of radar systems (BLIS, Lane Change Assist, and Reverse Aid Sensing)
- Actively involved in troubleshooting vehicle test equipment (V-Box)
- Analyzed & verified problems discovered through CAN & DAQ, and reviewed the data with the development team.
- Tabulated detailed records of test results and statistics to report to development team.
- Provided feedback to production team regarding product quality.
- Played a crucial role in new product launches by ensuring seamless integration between design specifications and actual device performance.
- Implemented comprehensive test plans to evaluate product functionality, safety, and performance according to industry standards.
- Supported engineering teams in making data-driven decisions by providing timely and accurate test results.
Education
Master of Science - Automotive Systems Engineering
University of Michigan - Dearborn
Dearborn, MIBachelors of Technology - Mechanical Engineering
Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University
Hyderabad,IndiaSkills
- Product and Project Development
- Design Release from Concept to Launch
- 1st Principles based Engineering
- Requirements, Change Management with JAMA/Doors, JIRA, ENOVIA
- PLM/PLC Processes
- Supplier Management, PPAP
- DFMEA, PFMEA, DVP/PVP, GDT, DFM/DFA, DOE
- 3D, 2D CAD Management with CATIA, 3DX, AutoCAD, Teamcenter, ENOVIA
- Design/Analysis Tools: CATIA, 3DX, AutoCAD, Autodesk Inventor, ANSYS, Altair Suite
Patents
- Seat Back Heater Mat Attachment - US 11091076B1
Timeline
Staff Design & Release Engineer
Rivian Automotive
04.2021 - Current
Product Engineer
Ford Motor Company
07.2020 - 01.2021
Product Engineer
Faurecia
09.2018 - 04.2020
Product Engineer - TVM
Ford Motor Company
10.2015 - 09.2018
Vehicle Test Technician
Autoliv
08.2015 - 10.2015
Master of Science - Automotive Systems Engineering
University of Michigan - Dearborn
Bachelors of Technology - Mechanical Engineering
Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University