BALIRAM BAWANKULE

Highly accomplished Mechanical Engineer with over 13 years of expertise in Prototype vehicle development, Testing, and Validation. A proven track record of leading projects from proto stage to production, ensuring seamless product evaluation and testing.  A results-oriented professional with a passion for delivering excellence in every aspect of vehicle development and quality assurance. 

Key Skills

Leadership
Decision Making
Project management
Critical Thinking

Professional Experience

Mar 2023
Present
Sr. Manager Proto Build, Benchmarking & Test Lab
Simple Energy Pvt. Ltd. Bangalore Urban, IN
SimpleEnergy Private Limited is a dynamic and innovative company based in Bangalore, India.
 As a Senior Manager Prototype Build and benchmarking:

  • Spearheading the end-to-end planning and execution of prototype vehicle builds with precision and efficiency. 
  • Developing the detailed build timing plans to meet program team requirements.
  • Perofrminig Sign off of Prototype vehicles to agreed quality standards.
  • Delivering prototype vehicles that exceed Testing and homologation requirements, showcasing compliance and excellence.
  • Streamlining assembly sequences and manufacturing processes to maximize productivity and minimize waste.
  • Nurturing a high-performing team of engineers and technicians, empowering them to excel.
  • Managing and guiding the Vehicle benchmarking team to do the competitor vehicles benchmarking: Features comparison, Vehicle level measurement, Teardown, and Weight measurement.
  • Leading  Managing  JIRA boards: AIMS system, Vehicle Build History, Vehicle request form, Equipment slot booking - For test lab

 As Vehicle Test Lab Incharge: 

  •  Test Facility Management: Oversee the overall operations and maintenance of the vehicle testing lab, ensuring it is well-equipped and adheres to safety standards.
  • Test Planning and Coordination: Collaborate with different departments to plan and schedule testing activities based on project requirements and timelines.
  • Testing Execution: Ensure the accurate and precise execution of vehicle tests, including Chassis dyno, Cam drum, Vibration Shaker, and Environmental chambers.
  • Budget Management: Managed the budget allocated for the vehicle testing lab, ensuring cost-effective operations.
Feb 2022
Mar 2023
Deputy Manager Proto Build & Benchmakring
Simple Energy Pvt. Ltd. Bangalore Urban, IN
Well known startup of Electric 2 wheeler manufacturer.
  • Led and managed Prototype vehicles Build planning & execution with a focus on efficiency and timely completion.
  • Conducted daily stakeholder meetings, providing regular updates and addressing their requirements.
  • Supervised Proto assembly sequences and vehicle build, adhering to the Bill of Materials (BOM).
  • Tracked parts and resolved issues during the build process, contributing to smooth operations. Build AIMS system for issue tracking and resolution in JIRA system.
  • Collaborated closely with Testing & Engineering teams, meeting their requirements during prototype vehicle build.
  • Optimized assembly processes through effective coordination with plant teams.
  • Led DFMEA activities, ensuring proactive risk management in the development process.
  • Conducted thorough benchmarking to drive continuous improvement and innovation.
  • Provided guidance and leadership to the Proto build and benchmarking team.
  • Ensured successful Homologation trial preparation, meeting regulatory standards.
Apr 2021
Feb 2022
Proto Build & Validation Engineer(Lead)
Bajaj Auto Limited Pune, IN
Research and Development center, carried out a Designing and testing of 2, 3, and 4 wheeler.
  • Preparation and execution of Vehicle Proto Build plan, 
  • DVP plan preparation and execution. 
  • Team Handling for proto Build and validation. Vehicle Development trials execution. 
  • Vehicles testing as per DVP plan( Water wading, Mud trial, Gradeability, External projection, shower test, Gaps and flushness, Fall down test, ROV/ROS test, Side stand stability test)
  • Providing vehicles to different test agencies.
  • Tacking test updates from the component testing team to ensure the DVP compleiton on time.
Projects:
Triumph-BAL  Motorcycle 

Feb 2015
Apr 2021
Prototype Build & Validation Engineer 3 &4WH
Bajaj Auto Limited Pune, IN
Research and Development center, carried out a Designing and testing of 2, 3, and 4 wheeler.
  • 3WH & 4WH EV development - Led and managed a team of Engineers for proto-build & validation, overseeing electric vehicles and product design projects.
  • Developed and implemented strategies to optimize proto-build and validation processes.
  • Contributed to the development of cutting-edge prototypes for various vehicle models.
  • Conducted Design for Manufacturing (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA) studies with the Cross-Functional Team (CFT).
  • Provided corrective actions and solutions to enhance product designs and performance.
  • Resolved field failures with a strong focus on product quality and customer satisfaction.
  • Co-ordinating with external test agencies to conduct Development tests like Water wading, dust ingress.
  •  Played a key role in benchmarking exercises to assess product performance against competitors.
  • Collaborated with the design team and also took part in DFMEA  to evaluate product designs and provide constructive feedback.
  • Prepared comprehensive reports after DVP trials and testing phases, ensuring accurate documentation.
  • Tracked and resolved validation concerns to achieve product quality and compliance.
Projects:
1. Compact EV - 3Wh
2. RE compact, Maxima Z, Maxima Wider, RE Cargo - BSIV & BSVI - 3Wh
3. RE QUTE - EV and conventional
Jun 2011
Mar 2015
Vehicle Testing & Validation Engineer
Bajaj Auto Limited Pune, IN
Research and Development center, carried out a Designing and testing of 2, 3, and 4 wheeler.
  • Extensive experience in Durability testing for 3 & 4-wheeler vehicles, covering Structural(Pavement test), Mix cycle, Highway, and City durability evaluations.
  • Proficient in preparing detailed vehicle testing plans and ensuring thorough vehicle preparation for various tests. 
  • Preparation of internal testing standards based on the field failure scenarios and by referring to IS standards.
  • Prepared vehicle level measurement matrix to collect the testing data after fixed intervals. 
  • Capable of independently handling all requirements for product testing and validation.
  • Expertise in conducting Fuel economy trials for different conditions, including design load and overload scenarios.
  • Successful execution of Vehicle development trials at VRDE.
  • Thoroughly conducted Wire & Tube audit and Functional Audit for 3 & 4 wheeled vehicles.
  • Proficient in conducting critical trials, such as Dust ingress, Water wading, Mud trail, and impact assessments.
  • TPM and safety management at the workplace.
Projects:
1. RE compact, Maxima Z, Maxima Wider, RE Cargo - BSIV & BSVI - 3Wh
2. RE QUTE 

Jun 2010
Jul 2011
Trainee Quality Assurance Engineer
Bajaj Auto Limited Aurangabad, IN
Two and Three wheeler manufacturer within country and abroad.
  • Assuring the Quality of Product by taking daily Product, Process Audit on vehicle assembly line, Chassis shop, and paint shop. 
  • Ensuring product quality by conducting audit on production pass vehicles.
  • In process Inspection & preparing report for the same. 
  • Special attention towards customer complaints. 
  • TPM
  • Torque audit
  • Co-ordination with Line Manager/Engineer
  • Implementation of 5S. 

Education

Dec 2022
Dec 2023
Diploma in Data Science (online Mode) in IIT Madras
IIT Madras
Aug 2021
Dec 2022
Foundation in Data science and programming in IIT Madras
IIT Madras
May 2019
Jul 2021
MBA(Business Analytics) in PIBM, Chinchwad
SPPU
Feb 2013
Dec 2018
Bachelor Of Engineering (AMIE) in Institution Of Engineers (INDIA)
IEI(India)
May 2007
Jun 2010
Diploma in Mechanical Engineering in Government Polytechnic Sakoli
MSBTE

Certifications

2020
Python for data science
NPTEL- IIT M
2020
Writing Skills for Engineering Leaders
Coursera
2021
Excel skills for business: Essentials
Coursera
2020
Basic -Data analysis using R
Skyfi Lab
2020
Presentation skills: Designing Presentation Slides
Coursera
2020
Speaking Effectively
NPTEL - IIT K
2020
Presentation skills
Coursera

Achievements

2023
Certificate of Appreciation
Certificate of Appreciation : In recognisation of outstanding contribution to Exceptional performance in Proto Buiild and vehicle development team.

Hobbies & Interests

  • Reading Books
  • Poem writing

Languages

English
(Fluent)
Marathi
(Native)
Hindi
(Fluent)

Get in touch with BALIRAM