Karthik Rajendran

About Karthik Rajendran

With more than 13 years of experience in software engineering, I specialize in leading the development and delivery of high-performance, scalable web applications. My core strengths lie in product roadmap planning, architectural design, team leadership, delivery ownership, and fostering a strong engineering culture through code reviews and mentoring.I’ve consistently delivered results across complex domains — from building and scaling B2B SaaS platforms to architecting rich, API-driven e-commerce solutions and crafting intuitive user interfaces using modern web technologies. My work has supported millions of transactions, emphasizing availability, performance, and security at scale.As a hands-on engineering leader, I’ve managed multiple high-impact teams, taking end-to-end ownership of delivery pipelines. I’m known for sound decision-making, conflict resolution, and ensuring clear, consistent communication with senior leadership — translating engineering progress into actionable business insights.I’m deeply passionate about building high-performing teams. I enjoy mentoring engineers, guiding them through growth paths, and helping shape future leaders. My strong analytical thinking supports both high-level systems design and low-level implementation strategies to solve complex technical challenges.Beyond execution, I actively contribute to team growth through performance reviews, headcount planning, and strategic hiring. I’ve conducted over 400 interviews for roles ranging from fresh graduates to senior architects, helping organizations attract and retain top-tier talent.My contributions have been recognized through several awards, including: “Best Mentor” across the organization (2015) “Star Performer” at SKAVA (2015, 2017, 2018, 2020) “Phenomenal Leader” and “Engauge Champion” at Freshworks (2022)I thrive at the intersection of engineering excellence and leadership — continuously learning, adapting, and driving impact through people, processes, and technology

Experience

1. Engineering Manager

   Freshworks

   Feb 2022 — Present · Chennai, IN

   In my role as the Manager of multiple teams within the Customer Experience business unit, I lead a dynamic group of professionals to achieve impactful results.One of my key responsibilities involves overseeing a team of mobile developers dedicated to the roadmap and delivery of Freshdesk\'s IOS and Android applications. Together, we navigate the intricacies of app development, ensuring our products meet and exceed user expectations.Furthermore, I take ownership of the performance engineering team, focusing on benchmarking, improving, and optimizing web products such as Freshbots and Freshchat. This involves strategic planning to enhance the overall user experience and elevate the performance of our web-based offerings.Additionally, I manage a team responsible for the Freshchat web product, where we collaboratively work on building new features. This entails constant innovation and a commitment to adding substantial value to the product, contributing to its continuous evolution.My role is defined by a comprehensive approach to team management, strategic planning, and a commitment to delivering high-quality results in the dynamic realm of customer experience.

Education

• Sri Krishna College of Engineering and Technology

  Master of Science (MSc), Software Engineering

  2007 — 2012