Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Earlier Career Highlights
Education Credentials
Technical Expertise
Select Achievements
Core Competencies
Personal Information
Timeline
Generic

NAGENDRA SOMANATH

South Windsor

Summary

Engineering expert with over 30 years of experience in aerospace, defense, and advanced technology systems at Raytheon, GE, and NASA. Demonstrated success in delivering innovative solutions through AI/ML integration and systems engineering. Proficient in translating complex technical requirements into actionable insights for mission-critical applications. Strong project management and problem-solving skills, with a focus on effective communication and teamwork to achieve successful project outcomes.

Overview

31
31
years of professional experience

Work History

HYGRADE ENGINEER

U.S. Navy, Naval Surface Warfare Center
Craderock
04.2024 - Current
  • Company Overview: Advance Mechanics and Composites Div, Platform Integrity Div, Craderock, MD 20817.
  • Developing advanced composite analysis module to verify and validate composite damping in naval structural artifacts.
  • Consulting and vendor assessment for naval composite structures for manufacturing and data driven compliance assessment.
  • Designing robust modeling frameworks for performance optimization and testing validation.
  • Advance Mechanics and Composites Grp., Platform Integrity Div., Carderock, MD 20817.

TECHNICAL CONSULTANT

11.2023 - 04.2024
  • Developing advanced sustainable drone technology concepts for Valor Robotics focused on military and commercial applications.
  • Consulting on AI-driven systems for defense applications with emphasis on technical feasibility assessments.
  • Designing robust modeling frameworks for performance optimization and testing validation

VISITING PROFESSOR

Indian Institute of Science
Bangalore
09.2023 - 11.2023
  • Company Overview: Bangalore
  • Conducted research collaborations across aerospace and mechanical engineering departments.
  • Developed and presented advanced optimization techniques with military applications.
  • Trained students in sensitivity analyses, genetic algorithms, and applied AI for real systems
  • Bangalore

TECHNICAL CONSULTANT

07.2022 - 09.2023
  • Developed AI and deep learning concepts for adaptable systems and robotic drones for defense applications.
  • Created assessment frameworks for system design optimization and performance validation.
  • Implemented data-driven decision analytics for critical system evaluation and improvement

SENIOR PRINCIPAL ENGINEER

Raytheon Technologies - Pratt & Whitney
04.2018 - 07.2022
  • Led neural network development for real-time test rig sensor anomaly detection, reducing critical failures and saving $2M+ per test cycle.
  • Managed technology portfolio across engineering disciplines, ensuring systematic assessment and execution of innovative technologies.
  • Established strategic research partnerships with academic institutions for risk assessment and mitigation in sustainable product development.
  • Implemented machine learning approaches for material alloy tailoring, enabling 4x life extension for critical components

PRINCIPAL ENGINEER

Raytheon Technologies - Pratt & Whitney
04.2016 - 04.2018
  • Pioneered machine learning techniques for rotor material optimization, integrating material history data with performance requirements.
  • Developed technology roadmaps and multi-generation proposals for defense and commercial applications.
  • Conducted comprehensive technical assessments for new alloy implementation, resulting in $4M savings per alloy

PRINCIPAL ENGINEER

Raytheon Technologies - Pratt & Whitney
03.2012 - 04.2016
  • Led technical assessment of ScCO2 technology for advanced aeropropulsion systems.
  • Co-led cross-disciplinary High Impact ACE Team, implementing streamlined design processes saving $2M.
  • Developed preliminary thermodynamic models for waste heat recovery in propulsion systems

SENIOR ENGINEER

Raytheon Technologies - Pratt & Whitney
01.2006 - 01.2012
  • Developed hierarchical integrated PMDO framework for aircraft engine architecture and optimization.
  • Created hybrid response surface models for predictive assessment of multi-dimensional design spaces.
  • Implemented physics-based modeling approaches for turbomachinery component architecture design

SENIOR RESEARCH ENGINEER

GE Corporate Research & Development
01.1998 - 01.2002
  • Developed successive optimization processes using generalized discrete-continuous variables.
  • Created probability-based techniques to minimize variability in composite shell structures.
  • Led design tool development for turbine blade life extension, improving high-temperature blade life by 4.5x

LEAD ENGINEER

GE Corporate Research & Development
01.1994 - 01.1998
  • Designed energy storage systems for hybrid electric vehicles with 20kW storage capability.
  • Developed discrete optimization algorithms for lightweight design of laminated solar panels for satellites

Education

Ph.D. - Mechanics

Virginia Tech (VPI&SU)

M.S. - Engineering Mechanics

Virginia Tech (VPI&SU)

B.Tech. - Aeronautical Engineering

Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay

Skills

  • Computational mechanics
  • Aero-propulsion systems
  • Composite structures
  • Physics-based modeling
  • Neural network implementation
  • Anomaly detection algorithms
  • Predictive analytics
  • Machine learning applications
  • Multidisciplinary design optimization
  • Technology portfolio management
  • Cross-disciplinary integration
  • System validation and verification
  • Uncertainty quantification
  • Structural reliability
  • ACE/Six Sigma methodology
  • Failure mode analysis
  • Computational tools (ANSYS, UG, ISIGHT, STAGS, EAL, PASCO)
  • Deep learning and genetic algorithms
  • Statistical methods and techniques
  • Design for Six Sigma (FMEA)
  • Probability-based techniques and sensitivity analysis
  • Response surface methodology and MDO
  • Discrete-continuous variables and successive approximation
  • Advanced alloys in thermal systems and electromagnetic systems

Earlier Career Highlights

  • Senior Engineer, Raytheon Technologies - Pratt & Whitney, 01/01/06, 12/31/12, Developed hierarchical integrated PMDO framework for aircraft engine architecture and optimization., Created hybrid response surface models for predictive assessment of multi-dimensional design spaces., Implemented physics-based modeling approaches for turbomachinery component architecture design.
  • Senior Research Engineer, GE Corporate Research & Development, 01/01/98, 12/31/02, Developed successive optimization processes using generalized discrete-continuous variables., Created probability-based techniques to minimize variability in composite shell structures., Led design tool development for turbine blade life extension, improving high-temperature blade life by 4.5x.
  • Lead Engineer, GE Corporate Research & Development, 01/01/94, 12/31/98, Designed energy storage systems for hybrid electric vehicles with 20kW storage capability., Developed discrete optimization algorithms for lightweight design of laminated solar panels for satellites.

Education Credentials

  • Ph.D., Mechanics, Virginia Tech (VPI&SU)
  • M.S., Engineering Mechanics, Virginia Tech (VPI&SU)
  • B.Tech., Aeronautical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay
  • Fellow, Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering, 2020

Technical Expertise

ANSYS, UG, iSIGHT, STAGS, EAL, PASCO, Neural Networks, Deep Learning, Genetic Algorithms, Statistical Methods, Design for Six Sigma, FMEA, Probability-Based Techniques, Sensitivity Analysis, MDO, Response Surface Methodology, Discrete-Continuous Variables, Successive Approximation, Composite Structures, Advanced Alloys, Thermal Systems, Electromagnetic Systems

Select Achievements

  • Created neural network approach for real-time monitoring of test rig data, saving $2M+ per test.
  • Developed machine learning systems for material tailoring, saving $4M per alloy implementation.
  • Implemented hierarchical optimization framework for engine architecture, reducing design cycle time by 30%.
  • Improved high-temperature turbine blade life by factor of 4.5 using statistical methods.
  • Designed robust composite structures for extreme environments including magnetic fields and thermal loads.
  • Published 50+ papers in machine learning, deep learning, multidisciplinary optimization, and computational mechanics.

Core Competencies

Computational Mechanics, Aero-propulsion Systems, Composite Structures, Physics-Based Modeling, Neural Network Implementation, Anomaly Detection Algorithms, Predictive Analytics, Machine Learning Applications, Multidisciplinary Design Optimization, Technology Portfolio Management, Cross-Disciplinary Integration, System Validation & Verification, Uncertainty Quantification, Structural Reliability, ACE/Six Sigma Methodology, Failure Mode Analysis

Personal Information

Citizenship: U.S. Citizen

Timeline

HYGRADE ENGINEER

U.S. Navy, Naval Surface Warfare Center
04.2024 - Current

TECHNICAL CONSULTANT

11.2023 - 04.2024

VISITING PROFESSOR

Indian Institute of Science
09.2023 - 11.2023

TECHNICAL CONSULTANT

07.2022 - 09.2023

SENIOR PRINCIPAL ENGINEER

Raytheon Technologies - Pratt & Whitney
04.2018 - 07.2022

PRINCIPAL ENGINEER

Raytheon Technologies - Pratt & Whitney
04.2016 - 04.2018

PRINCIPAL ENGINEER

Raytheon Technologies - Pratt & Whitney
03.2012 - 04.2016

SENIOR ENGINEER

Raytheon Technologies - Pratt & Whitney
01.2006 - 01.2012

SENIOR RESEARCH ENGINEER

GE Corporate Research & Development
01.1998 - 01.2002

LEAD ENGINEER

GE Corporate Research & Development
01.1994 - 01.1998

Ph.D. - Mechanics

Virginia Tech (VPI&SU)

M.S. - Engineering Mechanics

Virginia Tech (VPI&SU)

B.Tech. - Aeronautical Engineering

Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay