Niraj Bhatt
San Ramon,CA
Summary
Dynamic Product Manager at Chevron Shipping Company with a proven track record in fleet modernization and connectivity optimization. Expert in Cisco technologies and Agile methodologies, I successfully led initiatives that enhanced operational efficiency and reduced failure rates. Passionate about driving product development and fostering stakeholder engagement to meet market demands.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Product Manager
CHEVRON SHIPPING COMPANY
San Ramon, CA
11.2020 - Current
- Fleet Modernization & Strategy: Lead technical architect for the "Future of Shipping" initiative, integrating complex navigation systems (ECDIS, VDR, Radars) and connectivity solutions (Starlink, VSAT) to maximize fleet efficiency.
- Asset Lifecycle Management (ALM): Developed a data-driven Preventative Maintenance Strategy in Maximo. Collaborated with reliability SMEs to enforce protocols that drastically reduced failure rates for critical bridge equipment.
- Project Leadership: Serve as Technical Lead and Project Manager for cross-functional initiatives, including OT Gateway firewall deployments and reliability data feeds. Utilized Agile frameworks to deliver complex milestones on aggressive timelines.
- Managed $2M+ operational budget and vendor portfolio (Mackay, Marlink). Negotiated contracts and oversaw service delivery, achieving 99.9% uptime for vessel business operations.
- Redesigned antenna architecture (Starlink/VSAT) to maximize bandwidth, transitioning support services to Central IT, optimizing resource allocation.
- Led product development initiatives for maritime solutions at Chevron Shipping Company, aligning product strategies with market needs.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to align product strategies with market needs.
- Managed product lifecycle from concept through launch and post-launch evaluation.
- Developed product roadmaps to prioritize features and enhancements for shipping technologies.
- Facilitated stakeholder meetings to gather feedback and refine product offerings continuously.
- Analyzed competitor products to inform strategic decisions on new features and improvements.
Network Design and Consulting Architect
Chevron
San Ramon, CA
06.2018 - 11.2020
- Designed and deployed secure network fabric for PKI encryption team within two weeks, ensuring disaster recovery compliance.
- Re-architected B-Hub sites to segment Corporate, User, and Industrial traffic, improving security posture.
- Upgraded Richmond Technology Center with Core Routers and WiFi 6 technology to enhance network performance.
- Executed cutover of 50+ access switches, ensuring seamless transition without unplanned downtime.
Network Design Engineer
Chevron
San Ramon, CA
01.2016 - 06.2018
- Engineered 'Direct Egress' solution for vessel internet traffic, reducing latency by 50%.
- Architected QoS solution using Cisco WLC and Aruba ClearPass to enhance BYOD traffic segregation from VoIP data.
- Executed 'NextGen' fleet overhaul, deploying over 150 devices to unify global shipping infrastructure.
- Enabled Microsoft Dynamics synchronization with Azure Cloud through innovative integration techniques for improved data coherence.
Network Operations Engineer
Chevron
08.2010 - 01.2016
- Ensured 99.999% uptime for Data Center infrastructure in San Ramon and Houston.
- Improved Data Center reliability by implementing proactive maintenance strategies.
- Acted as Tier-3 escalation point for routing and switching incidents, facilitating quick resolution on West Coast.
- Resolved complex network issues, streamlining incident management procedures.
Telecom Analyst/Business Analyst
Chevron
10.2007 - 08.2010
- Oversaw MPLS deployment across 280 domestic sites, ensuring timely execution and performance.
- Coordinated logistics for MPLS rollout across 280 domestic sites, ensuring alignment among stakeholders to meet tight deadlines.
- Executed strategic contract renegotiations, enhancing cost-effectiveness and operational efficiency.
- Realized over $1.5M in OPEX savings through comprehensive contract auditing and renegotiation efforts.
Education
B.S. - Management Information Systems
San Jose State University
Skills
- Cisco (Nexus, Catalyst, WLC) and Juniper
- Palo Alto firewalls and Starlink
- SD-WAN and MPLS
- BGP and OSPF
- WiFi 6 and VPN
- TCP/IP and QoS
- Azure cloud integration
- Maximo (EAM) and SAP
- SolarWinds and Apstra
- Agile project management methodologies
- Vendor management and stakeholder engagement
- Product development and strategy
- Budget management and financial oversight
- Project planning and execution
- Technical leadership and prioritization
- Competitive analysis and improvement metrics measurement
Timeline
Product Manager
CHEVRON SHIPPING COMPANY
11.2020 - Current
Network Design and Consulting Architect
Chevron
06.2018 - 11.2020
Network Design Engineer
Chevron
01.2016 - 06.2018
Network Operations Engineer
Chevron
08.2010 - 01.2016
Telecom Analyst/Business Analyst
Chevron
10.2007 - 08.2010
B.S. - Management Information Systems
San Jose State University