Vishal Pillai

About Vishal Pillai

With 20 years leading automotive innovation across global OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers, I thrive at the intersection of technology and commercial strategy.I have worked across automotive OEMs, Tier 1s, and global tech firms. I help organisations innovate without an overflowing budget requirement.I excel in cultivating strategic alliances—building bridges between R&D, startups, and industry to foster sustainable growth. My approach blends a relentless drive for technical excellence with hands-on customer engagement.NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTSLed the team that won the FICCI Award for Innovation at Annual cost savings VA/VE for PACCARSustainability: Zero waste to Landfill making Headliner waste reusable-Antolin. Sustainable use of waste to make tiles, benches etc. collaborated with MITWPU.Intellectual Property@ KPIT: Published inventor of the patent – “Method for Manufacturing a Modular Structure (AU20••••••33)”.Embeds Wiring harness in structure, Uses carbon fiber cloth to reinforce structure making it light.IP proposed at Antolin: A method to light the headliner fabric using electromagnetic induction is proposed and in initial stages.Above all, I bring curiosity, optimism, and a collaborative spirit to every project. I take pride in developing talent, championing diversity of thought, and relentlessly pursuing solutions that elevate the entire ecosystem. Ready to lead the next wave of automotive transformation!

Experience

1. Senior Lead Trims Vms

   Mahindra Group

   Oct 2025 — Present

Education

• University of Mumbai

  BE MECH

  1999 — 2003

• Cornell University

  Executive Program in Management

  2021 — 2021

• University of Mumbai

  Bachelor's degree

  1999 — 2003

Skills

• Iso Standards
• Teamcenter
• Root Cause Analysis
• Manufacturing
• Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing
• Mechanical Engineering
• Unigraphics
• Continuous Improvement
• Catia
• Engineering
• Iso/Ts 16949
• Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (Fmea)
• Gd&T
• Nx Unigraphics
• Design Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (Dfmea)
• Product Development
• Cross-Functional Team Leadership
• Project Management
• Idea Incubation
• Idea Incubation
• Project Planning
• Design Thinking
• Dfmea
• Plastics
• Product Design
• Product Lifecycle Management
• Innovation Development
• Automotive Engineering
• Cad
• Team Management
• Fmea
• Vehicles
• Automotive
• Siemens Nx
• Ts16949