Shahid Sandhu
Bradenton,FL
Summary
Dynamic engineering leader with over 20 years of experience in top technology-driven organizations, including General Electric and Lucent-Alcatel. Consistently delivers operational excellence and transformative results across engineering, supply chain, and advanced manufacturing. Expertise in leveraging Lean methodologies, digital process optimization, and strategic initiatives to accelerate innovation, scalability, and sustainable growth in fast-paced tech environments. Renowned for building and leading high-performing global teams, driving cross-functional collaboration, and forging trusted partnerships with stakeholders to deliver customer-centric solutions. Certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt and PMP, recognized for aligning technical strategies with business objectives while mentoring talent and achieving measurable improvements in performance, agility, and business continuity.
Results-driven leader with strong background in strategic management and organizational growth. Skilled in developing and implementing effective business strategies, optimizing processes, and driving team performance. Known for adaptability, effective collaboration, and delivering measurable outcomes in dynamic environments. Strong communication and problem-solving abilities, coupled with focus on fostering productive and positive team culture.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Director - Product Industrialization
Ralliant - Qualitrol
05.2025 - Current
- Directed implementation of electrical substation monitoring devices to enhance quality standards.
- Achieved alignment of portfolio strategy and annual planning through effective collaboration with product management. Delivered comprehensive cross-functional requirements in partnership with R&D operations and supply chain. Established industrialization standards that enhanced product readiness and accelerated market entry.
- Facilitated application of DFX, DFM, and lean methodologies by leading a diverse, global team to optimize operational processes.
- Led cross-functional collaboration to design and implement strategic initiatives aimed at advancing corporate objectives.
- Optimized interdepartmental operations by executing targeted process improvements and adopting industry best practices.
- Supervised financial planning and resource allocation to maintain alignment with strategic objectives and enhance operational efficiency.
- Orchestrated collaborative efforts across departments, focusing on refining decision-making strategies.
- Streamlined project execution by applying strategic planning techniques and managing resources and time effectively.
- Oversaw the formulation of strategic initiatives through cross-functional teamwork, ensuring alignment with corporate objectives.
- Successfully launched five high growth potential products with 60% CM's.
Director - Engineering Operations
General Electric - Aerospace Defense Systems
07.2022 - 05.2025
- Led engineering operational transformations by implementing strategic programs and continuous improvement initiatives across all organizational levels.
- Directed process optimization efforts to enhance reliability, efficiency, and resource utilization at multiple engineering centers.
- Oversaw productivity improvements through lean practices, workforce development, and waste elimination.
- Deployed lean and continuous improvement frameworks across three sites to strengthen NTI and NPI processes, supported by data analytics to identify growth opportunities.
- Developed and delivered web-based training and workshops aligned with GE's Flight Deck fundamentals to build project management and operational excellence capabilities.
- Key Achievements:
- Product Launch Leadership: Spearheaded NTI and NPI programs, optimizing gate review processes and accelerating time-to-market for critical aerospace and defense systems.
- Lean Transformation: Deployed lean frameworks and continuous improvement initiatives across engineering centers, reducing waste and improving SQCD metrics by 30%.
- Process Optimization: Improved labor utilization from 70% to 85%, enhanced ECR first-pass yield by 20%, and implemented automation and simulation tools to streamline workflows.
- Operational Excellence: Delivered web-based training and workshops aligned with GE Flight Deck fundamentals, building project management and operational capability across teams.
- Performance Impact: Achieved 30% improvement in on-time delivery, 20% MOM improvement through Bowler tracking, and cost avoidance initiatives contributing to significant savings.
Regional Operations Director (MENASA)
General Electric - Power (Vernova)
03.2016 - 07.2022
- Directed engineering operations for GE Power across the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia, with a focus on transformation, Lean, and continuous improvement.
- Established and led the Total Plant Solutions Group to drive operational excellence, innovation, and customer satisfaction.
- Played a key role in shaping the business plan and promoting Lean principles across all organizational levels.
- Spearheaded major improvement initiatives targeting service cost optimization, efficiency, and quality.
- Led problem-solving efforts, value stream mapping, COPQ reduction, and RCCA activities, fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
- Operational Excellence: Led a cross-functional team focused on Operational Excellence, overseeing key areas including field operations, maintenance, fleet management, and project engineering.
- COPQ Improvement - 30% YOY ($ 220M → $30MM within 3 years)
- Issue Resolution Improvement - 15% → 20% → 25% YOY
- Labor Productivity Improvement - 20% YOY (Applied Hours)
- Parts Availability Improvement to support outages - 9% → 20% → 35%
- Leadership and Management: Led engineering operations supporting a $3.0B Power Services business, managing a $28MM resource budget and overseeing 170 personnel across five global technology centers.
- Resources Budget Improvement - 12% within 15 months (Flat HC)
- Outage execution Improvement - 30% duration reduction
- Outages FPY - 10% YOY (Implemented Standard Work)
- Business Transformation: Collaborated with senior leadership to develop and execute a business transformation and continuous improvement strategy.
- CXI Improvement - 30% customer satisfaction score improvement YOY
- New business - $450MM generated due to equipment upgrades by utilizing TPS Site Assessment initiatives.
- Customer Management: Maintained continuous engagement with customers to ensure reliable power plant operations, minimizing interruptions and delivering world-class responsiveness through metric-driven performance and operational rigor.
- Streamlined operational processes to enhance efficiency across multiple departments.
- Led cross-functional teams in implementing strategic initiatives, driving organizational goals.
- Developed and monitored KPIs to assess performance and identify improvement areas.
- Collaborated with senior leadership to optimize resource allocation and reduce costs.
- Mentored managers in best practices for operational excellence and team development.
- Monitored budget and utilized operational resources.
Sr. Engineering Leader (North America)
General Electric
04.2007 - 03.2016
- Drove enterprise-wide initiatives to optimize cost efficiency and elevate operational performance within the Controls & Power Electronics product line, targeting cost reduction, service productivity, quality enhancement, and process excellence.
- Oversaw Sustaining Engineering and provided strategic direction for new product introductions, upgrades, global manufacturing transfers, and supplier qualification programs.
- Designed and implemented talent development strategies while monitoring KPIs across safety, quality, cost, and delivery to ensure continuous improvement.
- Led a global team of hardware, software, and field service engineering professionals across three technology centers, ensuring strategic alignment, technical rigor, and flawless execution.
- Product Development and Enhancement: Oversaw and facilitated initiatives concerning New Product Development, Sustaining Engineering, Fleet Upgrades, Product Enhancement, New Application Development, and Productivity Improvement.
- Product Cost Management: Spearheaded initiatives in Product Cost Reduction, Enhancement of Services Productivity, Upgrades, Quality Assurance, and Lifecycle Management to enhance product costs and improve overall product quality.
- Business Plan Development & Deployment: Led strategic initiatives across Product Industrialization, Cost Optimization, Service Productivity Enhancement, Product Upgrades, Quality Assurance, and Lifecycle Management-resulting in improved product quality and reduced overall costs.
- Year Over Year Improvement Delivered:
- Direct Material Productivity - 15% average on all products ($15MM → $20MM → $28MM)
- Power Services Productivity - 10% →15% →22% ($7.5M → $9.0M → $11.8MM)
- Material Deflation Initiatives - Supported Sourcing Organization to generate average 5% - 7% Deflation YOY
- HW & SW Releases Quality - Product Upgrades 8% Improvement & Software Applications 15% on each release.
- Led cross-functional teams to enhance product development processes and reduce time-to-market.
- Directed engineering initiatives to improve operational efficiency and drive cost reductions.
- Mentored junior engineers, fostering skill development and promoting knowledge sharing within teams.
- Established best practices for engineering processes, resulting in increased compliance with industry standards.
Sr. Engineering Leader
Lucent - Alcatel
07.1999 - 03.2007
- Directed strategic planning, leadership, and execution for the successful New Product Introduction (NPI) of the CDMA product line.
- Directed all launch-related activities, ensuring seamless manufacturing readiness and pilot build management.
- Partnered with R&D to spearhead development and implementation of operational strategies for new products.
- Facilitated collaboration and problem-solving to enhance operational efficiency across program teams and external partners.
- Ensured component availability by establishing robust manufacturing processes, conducting cost analyses, managing resources, overseeing budgets, and preparing for full-scale production.
- Led cross-functional teams to develop innovative engineering solutions, enhancing product performance and reliability.
- Streamlined project workflows, improving efficiency in engineering processes and reducing time-to-market for new products.
- Successfully launched a minimum of three products at global level with 85% meeting SQCD.
Education
Master of Science - MANUFACTURING & OPERATIONS ENGINEERING
NEW YORK UNIVERSITY
NEW YORK, NY06.1999
Skills
Operational Excellence
Lean Fundamentals
Continuous Improvement
Value Stream Management
Standard Work
Operating Cadence
Business Process Management
Manufacturing Processes
Strategy Deployment
Strategic Planning
Program Management
Change Management
Performance Management
People Leadership
Talent Acquisition
Matrix Teamwork
Issues Resolution
Risk Management
Budget Management
Contract and Vendor Management
Contract Negotiation
Certification
- GENERAL ELECTRIC JACK WELCH INSTITUTE - SIX SIGMA BLACK BELT CERTIFICATION
- GENERAL ELECTRIC JACK WELCH INSTITUTE - GREEN BELT CERTIFICATION
- GENERAL ELECTRIC JACK WELCH INSTITUTE - MANAGEMENT AND PROGRAM MANAGEMENT CERTIFICATION
- PROJECT MANAGEMENT INSTITUTE - PMP CERTIFICATION
- MANAGEMENT AND STRATEGY INSTITUTE - LEAN SIX SIGMA BLACK BELT
- MANAGEMENT AND STRATEGY INSTITUTE - CERTIFIED CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT PROFESSIONAL
Training
- General Electric Jack Welch Institute - Leadership Development 'Leadership from the Core' Program
- General Electric Jack Welch Institute - Leadership Development 'Manager Development' Program
- General Electric Jack Welch Institute - Product Development 'FAST WORK' Program
- GE Aerospace - Lean & Continuous Improvement Seminar
- GE Aerospace - Structured Problem-Solving Seminar
- GE Aerospace Flight Deck Enterprise Fundamental - Standard Work
- GE Aerospace Flight Deck Enterprise Fundamental - Daily & Visual Management
- GE Aerospace Flight Deck Enterprise Fundamental - Value Stream Management
- GE Aerospace Flight Deck Enterprise Fundamental - Operating Cadences
Languages
English
Native or Bilingual
Hindi
Professional Working
Arabic
Limited Working
Timeline
Director - Product Industrialization
Ralliant - Qualitrol
05.2025 - Current
Director - Engineering Operations
General Electric - Aerospace Defense Systems
07.2022 - 05.2025
Regional Operations Director (MENASA)
General Electric - Power (Vernova)
03.2016 - 07.2022
Sr. Engineering Leader (North America)
General Electric
04.2007 - 03.2016
Sr. Engineering Leader
Lucent - Alcatel
07.1999 - 03.2007
Master of Science - MANUFACTURING & OPERATIONS ENGINEERING
NEW YORK UNIVERSITY