Harshavardhan Vibhandik

About Harshavardhan Vibhandik

I’m a & with ~ of combined professional experience, including R&D internships and full-time engineering roles. I\'ve designed, built, and deployed robotics hardware and embedded systems for domains ranging from medical devices to industrial automation, directly improving efficiency by up to 80% and cutting defects by 30–50% in some deployments.I specialize in bringing together real-world sensor data, intelligent embedded platforms, and agile robotics hardware to solve autonomy challenges. Recently, I:• /: Designed a dual-mode robot with 4-wheel mobility and quadcopter flight, integrated using ROS2, LiDAR, ultrasonic, and camera-based perception for warehouse and construction site inspection missions.• : Built a mechatronics-based, ergonomically aligned exoskeleton using high-torque BLDC actuators, motion tracking sensors, and adaptive impedance control — delivering ±0.1 Nm precision for neurorehabilitation.• & : Automated a sensor manufacturing line to 80% throughput by integrating pick-and-place and reflow oven systems; produced 15+ MCUs and multilayer sensor boards with embedded quality control:• ROS2, Gazebo, SLAM, and control algorithms for autonomous navigation• Real-time sensor fusion using IMU, LiDAR, camera, and embedded MCU stacks• Hands-on development of robotics hardware, including 4-layer PCBs and fine-pitch soldering• Rapid prototyping in Fusion 360, SolidWorks, Altium PCB, and implementation on Jetson Nano & Raspberry Pi platforms• Algorithm development in Python, MATLAB/Simulink, and Embedded CI get excited about opportunities where I can solve end-to-end robotics challenges, from system modeling to field testing, and thrive in fast-paced environments where sensors meet software. Currently exploring opportunities in robotics hardware, embedded autonomy, and field-ready intelligent systems.I love connecting with new people. You can reach me at @.

Experience

1. Automation Systems Engineer

   Photonect

   Sep 2025 — Present · Rochester, NY, US

   Leading end-to-end development of PIX Attach, a precision benchtop machine for photonics fiber alignment and packaging, transitioning the system from lab-run setup to functional prototype to a market-ready product- Designed and integrated mechanical subsystems to achieve high-precision multi-axis positioning (up to 1 μm) for photonic packaging applications- Developed embedded firmware for motion control, limit switch logic, laser and LED control, and safety interlocks via a custom USB command protocol- Designed a custom PCB for power distribution and full machine electronics, integrating the microcontroller onboard for a consolidated control architecture- Built a Windows-based industrial GUI for real-time machine control, featuring motion control, motor and laser management, and power configuration- Driving product strategy and customer discovery as Co-Lead in the REV MHA 2026 Cornell Engineering Manufacturing Hardware Accelerator, informing a key design pivot from standalone to modular architecture based on interviews with industry partners.

Education

• NYU Tandon School of Engineering

  MS in Mechatronics and Robotics, Mechatronics, Robotics, and Automation Engineering

• MIT Academy of Engineering, Alandi, Pune

  Bachelor of Technology - BTech, B Tech Electronics

  2018 — 2022