Ramachandra M H.

About Ramachandra M H.

Engineering excellence is achieved when performance, safety, cost, and manufacturability align without compromise.”This belief has guided my 25+ years of leading complex product development, New Product Introduction (NPI), validation, and manufacturing programs across the automotive sector. My focus has always been to transform engineering depth into measurable business outcomes — delivering quality, reliability, and cost competitiveness at scale.I lead cross-functional global teams bridging design, CAE, manufacturing, and suppliers to achieve First-Time-Right launches. I specialize in NPI execution — managing part trials, pre-release validation, risk mitigation, and production ramp-up. Whether it’s enabling 5-star safety, optimizing product cost, or digitizing production workflows, I focus on solutions that improve quality, reduce risk, and accelerate industrialization.I’m passionate about developing high-performing teams—mentoring engineers to think systemically, act decisively, and connect technical excellence with operational execution and business strategy. Having worked across India, Australia, China, and North America, I bring a global perspective on supplier engagement, NPI governance, and operational transformation.Key strengths include:• Leadership in Product Development, NPI & Manufacturing Industrialization• APQP, DFMEA/PFMEA, 4M Planning, Lean Six Sigma, and Quality System.• Delivered $400K annual savings and 12 kg weight reduction through cross-domain optimization• Expertise in Capex planning, ROI alignment, and vendor negotiations for strategic investments• End-to-end NPI ownership: tooling, part trials, pre-production validation, and SOP readiness• Pioneering use of AI/ML, Digital Twins & Industry 4.0 for predictive design and process automation• Strengthened in-house CAE & digital manufacturing capabilities, reducing external dependency• Tooling, process, and assembly validation using Teamcenter, Vismockup, and MPP Planner• Sustainability-driven approach—embedding lightweighting and energy-efficient design principlesI thrive where engineering precision meets operational strategy—leading transformation in product design, NPI, manufacturing systems, and digital industrialization. I believe the future of automotive engineering leadership lies in uniting human ingenuity with digital intelligence, and I’m committed to leading that evolution.

Experience

1. Product Development Manager

   Ford Motor Company

   Sep 2023 — Present · Chennai, IN

   Manager - Body Exterior front-end systems & Quality - Active Grill Shutter, Radiator Grill Support and TVM projects- Achieved $400K in annual global savings by leading AGS vane material optimization, with zero tooling investment and full validation across PV, regulatory, and functional tests- Avoided $300K in obsolescence by repurposing 889 surplus aluminum side steps into a special edition variant, ensuring seamless production and timely Australian market launch- Resolved a critical global Bliss Radar failure using 8D methodology and data analytics, saving $100K and implementing permanent quality fixes across multiple vehicle platforms- Improved multi-program milestone tracking efficiency by 40% through Power BI and Power Automate-based dashboard, enhancing cross-functional visibility and reducing manual errors- Recovered $200K through strategic supplier warranty negotiations, driving accountability and improving cost-efficiency for recurring quality and manufacturing issues.

Education

• Gogte Institute of Technology, Belgaum

  Bachelor of Engineering - BE, Mechanical Engineering

• H S Kotambri science college

  Pre University, STEM subjects

  1991 — 1993

• Indian Maritime University, Chennai

  Master of Science - MS by Research, Mechanical Engineering

• Kendriya Vidyalaya

  Higher secondary school, All subjects

  1981 — 1991

Skills

• Autocad
• Mechanical Engineering
• Unigraphics
• Product Development
• Cad
• Product Lifecycle Management
• Finite Element Analysis
• Dfmea
• Project Engineering
• Engineering
• Team Management
• Teamcenter
• Automotive Engineering
• Engineering Management
• Components
• Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (Fmea)
• Management
• Catia
• Gd&T
• Vehicles
• Sheet Metal
• Injection Molding
• Hypermesh
• Ptc Creo
• Automotive
• Simulations
• Manufacturing Engineering
• Pro Engineer
• Machining
• Apqp
• Product Design
• Testing
• Fmea
• Cae
• Project Management
• Manufacturing