Akash Kadam

About Akash Kadam

I am an engineering leader with 10+ years of experience delivering complex mechanical and manufacturing systems across heavy equipment, automotive, aerospace, and commercial manufacturing environments. My work focuses on owning end-to-end engineering delivery and turning technical decisions into measurable business outcomes.I have led cross-functional and offshore teams through NPI and CPI programs, driving improvements in cost, quality, throughput, and supply-chain stability. I regularly collaborate with manufacturing, suppliers, and operations teams to resolve production challenges, mitigate launch risks, and improve overall system performance, leveraging Lean Six Sigma and data-driven improvement methods.Beyond my core engineering role, I actively contribute to AI-enabled manufacturing, smart supply chains, and Industry 4.0/5.0 initiatives through patents, publications, and industry engagement. I am interested in leadership roles where engineering execution, operational excellence, and people development intersect.

Experience

1. Senior Mechanical Design Engineer

   Caterpillar Inc.

   Jul 2021 — Present · Decatur, IL, US

   Designed structural components for Off Highway Trucks (OHT), Wheel Tractor Scrappers (WTS), Large Mining Trucks (LMT), Large Wheel Loaders (LWL).• Improved assembly line performance resulting in 40% time saving for LWL assembly line, 30% for WTS, 15% for OHT, and 10% for LMT.• Interacted with suppliers to root-cause manufacturing issues, improve product quality, and their manufacturing processes.• Led the root-cause efforts at assembly line to resolve manufacturing issues.• Led and mentored off-shore teams to develop innovative mechanical systems and components, ensuring alignment with project timelines, budgets, and technical requirements• Directed New Product Introduction (NPI) and Current Product Improvement (CPI) projects.• Utilized advanced CAD tools, including CREO, to create highly integrated mechanical designs for complex systems within machine platforms.• Collaborated with global teams, including manufacturing engineers, suppliers, and product managers, to integrate mechanical designs with broader product development goals.• Supported Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) and Concurrent Product and Process Development (CPPD) initiatives to optimize component designs for manufacturing efficiency and reliability.• Led continuous improvement efforts by identifying cost-saving opportunities, streamlining design processes, and driving innovation in component performance. Saved $200K a year with improved design and supplier collaboration for WTS Hood-structure.• Organized and facilitated design reviews to validate mechanical designs, ensure compliance with quality standards, and achieve product reliability.• Played a pivotal role in improving supply chain techniques, driving operational efficiency, and supporting cross-functional collaboration to achieve company objectives.

Education

• Savitribai Phule Pune University

  Bachelor's degree, Mechanical Engineering

• Texas A&M University-Kingsville

  Master's degree, Mechanical Engineering

  2016

Skills

• Hydraulic Design
• Molding
• Microsoft Office
• Design Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (Dfmea)
• Cost Reduction Analysis
• Solar System Design
• Pneumatic Design
• 2d Cad Drawing
• Pdmea
• Catia
• Ansys
• Fea
• Mechanical Systems
• Six Sigma
• Dfa
• Asme Y14.5
• Heat Exchangers
• Pro-E
• Extended Finite Element Analysis
• Casting
• Spreadsheets
• Abaqus
• Finite Element Analysis
• Dfm
• Punch Press
• Bom
• Tool & Die
• Bill Drafting
• Solidworks
• System Deployment
• Cnc Programming
• Thermal System Design
• Pid
• Technical Writing
• Design for Assembly
• Design for Manufacturing
• Bill of Materials
• Autocad