Abhishek Softa
Windsor,Ontario
Summary
Highly skilled and accomplished professional with 15 years of experience in Product Design, New Product Development, and Project Management. Demonstrated expertise in designing and developing exterior and interior body systems in sheet metal and plastic components for automotive applications. Proven track record of delivering end-to-end product life cycle management, from initial feasibility to concept generation, layout, packaging, costing, and cross-functional team coordination. Adept at enhancing research and development operations, optimizing resource utilization, and increasing design process efficiencies.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Propulsion System Release Engineer
Stellantis (MI) -USA /Kyyba -CA
01.2023 - Current
- Managing the design and development of vehicle Ignition and peripheral systems
- Owning the development and implementation of single and double boot ignition coils, spark plugs, and related electrical connectors
- New supplier development, APQP, PPAP, project execution, product validation, and delivery control activities
- Assessing the supplier's quality management system to ensure that they have methods in place to maintain uniform and dependable product quality
- Reviewing pricing proposals and contract terms to ensure they align with your organization's budget and requirements
- Continuous monitoring of the performance, testing results, level and overall capabilities, and alignment with the organization's values and long-term goals
- Maintaining open communication, and addressing subjects that arise pre or post the project execution.
DGM Product Development
NTF India Pvt Limited, Gurgaon-India
09.2019 - 03.2021
- Managing Engineering and Development departments combined with a team of 20 engineers for the design and development of various Automotive Interior and Exterior Parts
- Responsible for developing and implementing internal product design and development processes systems
- Determining key criteria and prerequisites that suppliers must meet including quality standards, pricing, delivery capabilities, financial stability, capacity, certifications, compliance with regulations, and sustainability practices
- Pre-screening and qualification filing by preparing request for information (RFI) documents to collect necessary data about their capabilities and processes, approving the RFQs for product feasibility
- Conducted supplier audits including visiting the supplier's facilities to evaluate their operations, quality control measures, and overall capabilities
- Evaluation of the potential risks associated with each supplier, including financial, operational, and supply chain risks
- Analyzing the scope of work and estimating the strategic milestones for the product and project deliverables
- Identify the design and development department's annual goals, KRAs, and talent deficits.
Assistant manager/Deputy manager/ Manager – Exterior Trims
Maruti Suzuki India Limited (MSIL), Gurgaon-India
03.2010 - 07.2019
- Led initial feasibility studies to evaluate the viability of new projects and provided valuable styling feedback to enhance the design concepts of exterior trim system parts
- Coordinated with cross-functional teams to release accurate engineering data and drawings, facilitating efficient manufacturing and production processes
- Ensured compliance of products with European and Global regulatory requirements, ensuring the homologation layout met all necessary standards
- Prepared Statement of Requirements (SOR) and performed design cost estimation, resulting in the successful sourcing of parts within budget constraints
- Created detailed engineering designs, drawings, and technical specifications, ensuring smooth project execution within prescribed timeframes and cost parameters
- Conducted technical reviews, design meetings, and specification discussions with suppliers and toolmakers, guaranteeing the product's high quality and feasibility
- Managed knowledge management documentation and reports, effectively addressing observed failures and integrating lessons learned into future projects
- Facilitated effective communication and timely resolution of development issues with Suzuki, Japan's design team, leading to faster project completion
- Conducted benchmarking and teardowns of competitor vehicles and parts, gaining valuable insights into design philosophies, and implementing weight and cost reduction strategies (VA-VE)
- Performed tests and experiments, producing reliable data for investigations, resolving market quality issues, and implementing effective countermeasures
- Coordinated techno-commercial project activities and conducted requirement analysis, finalizing specifications, validating designs, and reviewing detailed documents for superior product quality
- Collaborated with the Quality Team to address customer complaints, monitor manufacturing processes, and troubleshoot issues in coordination with other departments.
Assistant Manager
Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd, Mumbai, India
10.2008 - 03.2010
- Offered technical support in creating benchmarking documents involves conducting research and comparing products, processes, or performance metrics to identify best practices and areas for improvement
- Created Engineering Intent Sheets to provide detailed information about the design and engineering specifications for a particular component or system to serve as a reference for the styling studio and other stakeholders involved in the design process
- Data generation related to Product and Manufacturing Information (PMI) that is used to define the product's geometry, dimensions, tolerances, and other essential information for manufacturing processes.
Graduate Engineer Trainee, Engineer
International Cars and Motors Limited, Hoshiarpur, India
01.2007 - 04.2008
- Started by understanding the requirements and specifications for the pillar trims in the MUV RHINO
- Used (CAD)CATIA software to create 3D models of the pillar trims
- Collaborated with the engineering team to ensure the designs met safety, aesthetics, and functional criteria
- Conducted feasibility studies and virtual simulations to validate the designs before physical prototyping
- Analyzed the current assembly line process to identify potential bottlenecks and inefficiencies
- Participated in implementing tools like 5S, Kanban, and Poka-Yoke to enhance productivity and quality
- Trained assembly line workers on the new processes and provided them with the necessary support for implementing new products Trim Design by understanding the requirements of the new rear cooler and collaborated with the HVAC engineer to design the necessary trim components (vents, ducts, control panels) to accommodate the rear cooler.
Education
Masters of Engineering in Mechanical -
University of Windsor
Windsor, CanadaBachelor of Technology in Mechanical -
Punjab Technical University
Jalandhar, IndiaSkills
- Design Optimization
- Project Management
- Supplier Management
- Problem-Solving
- Benchmarking & Idea Generation
- New Product Development
- Planning & Operations
- Liaison & Coordination
- Unigraphics NX/CATIA/Team Center
- Cost reduction & VAVE
- Research & Development
- Microsoft Office & MATLAB
Accomplishments
- Successfully led the design and development of six full model and facelift changes within challenging 24-to-18-month timelines, resulting in cumulative 500000 annual sales volumes.
- Ensured compliance with European and global safety and regulatory standards, including first-time requirements such as pedestrian safety and NCAP ratings.
- Worked as the Lead Designer for the exterior system on notable vehicles, including the small car Alto, and the compact SUV Vitara Brezza. Played a pivotal role in the successful launch of MSIL's indigenous vehicle projects "Vitara Brezza," "Celerio," "Alto 800," and Toyota "Urban Cruiser."
- Served as a key design team member for K car (Lapin), contributing to the development of Hood, Front, and Rear Bumper systems during a two-year assignment at Suzuki Motor Corporation Japan.
- Collaborated effectively with cross-functional teams, including engineers and stakeholders, to integrate safety features and design innovations seamlessly into the vehicle models.
- Implemented cost-effective design solutions while maintaining high product quality and performance standards.
- Conducted comprehensive design reviews and analyses to ensure design feasibility and adherence to technical specifications
- Led the design and development of various exterior and interior body systems, including Front and Rear Bumper Modules, Grille Assemblies, Energy Absorbers, Engine Undercovers, and more.
- Successfully managed multiple new product development projects from concept to production, ensuring on-time delivery and adherence to quality standards.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to develop innovative design solutions, streamlining the product development process, and enhancing overall efficiency.
- Possess US R B1/B2 Visa, needs H1B application for 2024.
Professional Development
- Certification in The Data Scientist’s Toolbox by Johns Hopkins University in 2020.
- Certification in Programming for Everybody (Getting Started with Python) from the University of Michigan in 2021.
- Certification in Fundamentals of Project Planning from the University of Virginia in 2021.
- Certification in Excel Skills for Business: Essentials from Macquarie University in 2021.
- Certification in a Basic Japanese language course in 2012.
- Certificate course in CAD/CAM (CREO/CATIA) in 2006.
Technical Publications
- Published and presented a technical paper on the Design of Roof Rack Rails with Cost and Weight Optimization at the SAE World Congress 2017 in Detroit, USA.
- Published technical review paper on Tissue engineering and its significance in healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic: Potential applications and perspectives in the Journal of Industrial Integration and Management.
- Patent: The vehicle's Front Bumper has an energy absorber for the protection of the pedestrian leg (Patent application No. 201611044087).
- Patent: An Integrated bumper Grille (Patent application No. 201811007620).
- Patent: Split-type air guide for a vehicle. (Patent application No. 201811003848).
- Patent: A dowel pin and panel bracket assembly (Patent application No. 201711046291)
- Patent: Vehicle Front Bumper with lower impact absorber for protecting pedestrian's lower leg. (Patent application No. 201711030736).
- Patent: Front Bumper Grille Assembly (Patent application No. 201911011770).
Projects
The Battery Fuel Gauging (BFG) to ensure the battery's state of charge (SOC). Study the rank of Open Circuit Voltage (OCV) estimation models based on accuracy and errors. Project on designing welding jigs for long and side members of car chassis. Daily inventory and scrap calculation for LHB rail coaches in Rail Coach Factory Kapurthala, India.
Languages
English
Full Professional
Japanese
Professional Working
Certification
Certification in The Data Scientist’s Toolbox by Johns Hopkins University in 2020.
• Certification in Programming for Everybody (Getting Started with Python) from the University of Michigan in 2021.
• Certification in Fundamentals of Project Planning from the University of Virginia in 2021.
• Certification in Excel Skills for Business: Essentials from Macquarie University in 2021.
• Certification in a Basic Japanese language course in 2012.
• Certificate course in CAD/CAM (CREO/CATIA) in 2006.
Patents
The vehicle's Front Bumper has an energy absorber for the protection of the pedestrian leg (Patent application No. 201611044087).
• An Integrated bumper Grille (Patent application No. 201811007620).
• Split-type air guide for a vehicle. (Patent application No. 201811003848).
• A dowel pin and panel bracket assembly (Patent application No. 201711046291)
• Vehicle Front Bumper with lower impact absorber for protecting pedestrian's lower leg. (Patent application No. 201711030736).
• Front Bumper Grille Assembly (Patent application No. 201911011770).
Timeline
Propulsion System Release Engineer
Stellantis (MI) -USA /Kyyba -CA
01.2023 - Current
DGM Product Development
NTF India Pvt Limited, Gurgaon-India
09.2019 - 03.2021
Assistant manager/Deputy manager/ Manager – Exterior Trims
Maruti Suzuki India Limited (MSIL), Gurgaon-India
03.2010 - 07.2019
Assistant Manager
Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd, Mumbai, India
10.2008 - 03.2010
Graduate Engineer Trainee, Engineer
International Cars and Motors Limited, Hoshiarpur, India
01.2007 - 04.2008
Masters of Engineering in Mechanical -
University of Windsor
Bachelor of Technology in Mechanical -
Punjab Technical University
Certification in The Data Scientist’s Toolbox by Johns Hopkins University in 2020.
• Certification in Programming for Everybody (Getting Started with Python) from the University of Michigan in 2021.
• Certification in Fundamentals of Project Planning from the University of Virginia in 2021.
• Certification in Excel Skills for Business: Essentials from Macquarie University in 2021.
• Certification in a Basic Japanese language course in 2012.
• Certificate course in CAD/CAM (CREO/CATIA) in 2006.
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