Curriculum Vitae in latin means “course of life”. True to the meaning of the word, this is not just a high level overview of my background like a resume but am gonna dive deep! *Why I did what I did. If you are strapped for time, please download my resume here!*
Rochester, NY
2007-11
GPA - 8.1/10
Vellore, India
2014-16
GPA - 3.8/4
Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering
Aug 2007 - Dec 2013
Honestly, I struggled a bit in college. Mechanical Engineering was challenging. Not so bad that I failed, but I had to work hard. I was an above average student. I throughly enjoyed learning everything but hated the exams. Nevertheless, I would not change my major if I went back in time.
Masters in Packaging Science
Jan 2014 - Aug 2016
Distribution dynamics was my favorite class in school. Who cares what the outside looks like? Does it protect the contents while being being cost effective? Thats a good challenge, finding the sweet spot. That’s engineering!
Back home (India, if thats not already obvious) we choose college majors based on the highest likelihood of a well paying job. Mechanical engineering was notorious for having the least paying and grueling jobs out of college. I still chose the field, because I wanted to learn how things worked. May be I am biased, but I strongly believe that a background in mechanical engineering lays a solid foundation for learning everything else. And packaging, well I worked for a bit in IT industry after college while I was trying to figure out what to do next. I am not particularly proud of this period as I still feel it was quiet wasteful but I did not force anything (wu wei baby!).
When i decided I wanted to come to the US for higher studies, mechanical and industrial engineering were my 1st and 2nd choices, then I got in touch with one of my undergrad friends who was in the US at the time, studying packaging at RIT. I spoke to him for a bit on google chat (yes, am not very young). I was intrigued, then I spent the next few weeks learning about the field and I was committed. I thought with a background in Mechanical engineering and Master’s in packaging, I will have a solid background and well set for a job in the future (was not as easy landing my first job with a visa which I learnt about later). I ran with that decision! No regrets.
<aside> 📈 Career Timeline
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Engineering Manager Jan 2024 - Present
Principle Packaging Engineer (CPI/PME Team lead) June 2022 - Jan 2024
Senior Packaging Engineer II Dec 2019- Jun 2022
Senior Packaging Engineer I Oct 2017 - Dec 2019
Packaging Engineer I Sep 2016 - Oct 2017
I started my professional career in the US as a full time engineer at Zimmer Biomet (ZB). I am not one to get super excited about life events but I vividly remember the day I got the call offering me a job at ZB. I initially did not understand the challenges of landing a job as someone here on a visa, but within a couple of months after well over a hundred rejections it became quiet apparent. I am and will forever be grateful for the team that hired me here. I started as an entry level engineer and as evident by my career progression within the company, I believe I have done a decent job. I was promoted 4 times in a little over 7 years and now manage a team of excellent engineers.
I manage a team of 6 full time engineers and 6 contractors of varying levels of experience. Below are all of the aspects of packaging I work on and manage at Zimmer Biomet.
Packaging Dynamics Lab Technician Feb 2014 - June 2016
Choosing the packaging industry was a decision that truly resonated with me during my time at the RIT Packaging Dynamics Lab. I extend my deepest gratitude to Mr. Tom Kausch for offering me the opportunity to work at the lab during my time at RIT.
As an international student with an F1 Visa, I was technically limited to 20 hours of paid work each week. However, I found the lab so interesting, leading me to spend virtually every possible moment there. My routine started in the lab each morning, was punctuated by classes, and concluded again at the lab in the evenings. The lab wasn't just a workplace; it was a second home where I thrived among the test equipment and engaged in running distribution tests for a diverse array of companies nationwide.
The interactions with visiting engineers were particularly enlightening, offering me a window into the vast career opportunities within the industry. These conversations, coupled with hands-on experience, significantly broadened my understanding and fueled my passion for the field.
Reflecting on my time at the lab, it was more than just an employment opportunity during college; it was a cornerstone experience that affirmed my career choice and profoundly shaped my professional ethos in the packaging industry.
Packaging Engineer Co-op Jun 2015 - May 2016
I purchased my first car, a 2006 Honda Civic, right after I joined this co-op at CooperVision for $4k. The decision was based on the need for commuting, as the company was a 30-minute drive from the campus, not because I was earning a hefty salary. The car still runs like a dream! Returning to the main topic, at CooperVision, I was part of the packaging and labelling team. My role involved a lot of travel between the corporate office and the distribution center. I was given the opportunity to carry out material testing, coordinate distribution studies, and assist the warehouse manager with automation lines and logistics. Since I worked on multiple long term projects, the management let me return to CooperVision part-time for a second term to continue working on them!
Mechanical Engineering Intern Jan 2011 - May 2011
Mechanical Engineering Intern Nov 2009 - Dec 2009
As a mechanical engineering student, I interned at two of the largest manufacturing companies near my hometown.
At Caterpillar, I spent two months shadowing the plant manager and learning about OSHA regulations. I grasped the importance of maintaining a safe workplace and the potential hazards machine operators could face daily. This experience was eye-opening. It allowed me to understand the practical realities of heavy equipment use, something that studying theory or campus work could never fully convey.
At WABCO-TVS, a collaboration between WABCO Germany and TVS Motors India focusing on commercial vehicle brake systems, I dedicated five months to enhancing lathe coolant system efficiency. My role involved integrating an advanced in-tool coolant dispensing system, aligned with 3R sustainability principles (reduce, reuse, recycle), to optimize the manufacturing process and minimize environmental impact. This initiative not only improved operational efficiency but also contributed to the company's commitment to sustainable manufacturing practices.