IHUB-Data, IIIT Hyderabad, India, Chief Technology Officer, August 2023 - Present

• Leading the technology vertical at the IHub-Data, a Technology Innovation Hub (TIH) established by IIIT Hyderabad as part of the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS) scheme of Department of Science and Technology, Govt of India. 

Fabrum Advisors LLC, Remote (part-time), Technology Advisor, August 2023 - Present

• Providing technical consultancy services through https://fabrumadvisors.com/.

Stealth Mode Startup, Remote, Founder, May 2023 - August 2023

• Exploratory market research and discussions with potential stakeholders/VCs on AI-driven solutions for climate change issues using remote sensing data.

• Intention is to create a product based entity leveraging the outcomes of the above work. WIP.

Career Break, India, Personal Goal Pursuit, November 2002 - April 2023

• Relocating to India, recharging the batteries a bit, spending quality time with family and friends, travel.

Sylvera Ltd, UK, VP of Data Science, April 2022 – November 2022 (contract/remote position based in US)

• Led a team of 35 data science professionals and 5 managers remotely, while overseeing Machine Learning, Multi-Scale Lidar, and Advanced Projects team functions.

• Successfully transformed research-oriented functions into a production-focused approach, driving innovation and maximizing scalability.

• Spearheaded the establishment of agile processes to harmonize the efforts of cross-functional teams and promote collaboration.

• Worked closely with cross-functional architects, technical architects, and solution managers to identify business needs and develop effective solutions.

• Held accountability for org-level resource planning, budgeting, and execution within the data science division, ensuring optimal resource allocation and performance.

Capella Space, USA, Head of Data Science & Analytics, November 2019-March 2022

• As the first Principal Data Scientist on the Product Engineering team, I established a team of highly skilled Data Scientists and DevOps Engineers.

• Leading multiple projects on global change detection and analytics using deep learning and statistical methods, with a focus on Synthetic Aperture Radar technology.

• Acted as Principal Investigator for several projects sponsored by US government agencies, driving innovation and delivering impactful results.

• Actively involved in multiple grant proposals, successfully securing funding to support cutting-edge research initiatives.

• Contributed to the broader scientific community by publishing articles and presenting innovative R&D work at leading conferences.

NIO, USA, Senior Manager, Perception, Autonomous Driving, January 2017-September 2019

• Successfully built and managed a team of 25 R&D Engineers with diverse expertise in Calibration, LiDAR Algorithms, Sensor Fusion, Localization, RADAR Algorithms, and Novel Sensor Evaluation, generating 15+ patent applications and 4 IEEE papers.

• Collaborated with cross-functional teams to explore and evaluate novel technology solutions, manage vendor engagements for L2 and L4 programs, and oversee the development work of trifocal cameras used in ESx programs.

• Led a team to develop production-intent calibration for a trifocal camera sensor, which was challenging both technologically and schedule-wise. The solution is now successfully deployed on the camera production line, with products being shipped with ESx programs (ES8, ES6, etc.).

• Provided technical guidance and mentorship to an MS student's thesis work on vision-based localization, which was published in IEEE IV 2018 conference and invited to speak at Matlab Expo in 2017.

• Developed and mentored team members, including multiple summer interns, supporting their career development and consistently achieving top 1% performance reviews globally.

• Actively participated in budget and resource planning and contributed significantly to the success of the organization.

• Implemented streamlined processes and methodologies to enhance team productivity through weekly, monthly, and quarterly review meetings and effective performance management.

Faraday Future, USA, Senior Software Engineer, Automated Driving, May 2016-December 2016

• Led design, development, and implementation of sophisticated image processing and computer vision algorithms for automated driving and vehicle automation.

• Authored multiple patent applications demonstrating technical expertise and innovation in the field.

• Provided subject matter expertise to upper-level management.

• Conducted interviews for potential interns and full-time hires.

• Certified as a Functional Safety Certified Automotive Engineer (ISO 26262) by TÜV NORD Systems GmbH & Co. KG, ensuring safety and reliability in all work.

Toyota InfoTechnology Center USA, Inc., Senior Researcher, Intelligent Computing Division, December 2012-April 2016

• Led research efforts in novel 3D Heads Up Displays, resulting in improved Human Machine Interaction in automotive applications.

• Project Leader for scouting new and innovative technologies, engaging with innovative companies, and studying and reporting on new technologies to Executives for future car applications.

• Led the development of advanced algorithms and models through expertise in Deep Learning for Scene Understanding, resulting in improved performance of automated systems.

• Authored numerous software design documents and prototyped new algorithms in Matlab, C/C++, resulting in increased efficiency and improved performance of key systems.

• Authored patent applications, published papers, and prepared funding proposals and company reports, demonstrating technical expertise and innovation in the field.

• As Project Leader and Lead Researcher, instrumental in driving innovation and improving safety and user experience in the automotive field.

• Advanced the field through R&D work in 3D data acquisition for Robotics applications.

Flashscan3D LLC,  USA, Research Manager, January 2009 -September 2012

• Managed and collaborated with R&D partner groups to advance the development of cutting-edge 3D biometrics and forensics technologies, utilizing Structured Light Illumination (SLI), shape from focus/defocus, and stereo vision techniques.

• Led the company's research efforts on key projects, including the Biometric Detector for DHS, 3D Ballistic Imaging Scanner for USACIL, and ARL Biometrics Task Force Miniature Non-Contact Rolled Equivalent scanner.

• Authored software design documents, prototyped and developed new algorithms in Matlab, C/C++, and implemented product code.

• Helped design and implement prototype 3D scanners, and contributed to funding proposals, company reports, published papers, and patent applications.

• Peer-reviewed project reports for National Institute of Justice (NIJ).

• Provided subject matter expertise to upper-level management, facilitated collaboration between R&D groups, and represented the company at career fairs and conferences. Additionally, conducted interviews for potential interns and full-time hires.

3VR Security Inc (acquired by Identiv), USA, Research Engineer, January 2007- January 2009

• Spearheaded the design and implementation of an innovative facial recognition system for video surveillance applications, which is now widely deployed across the globe, preventing check frauds in banks, airport video surveillance, and loss prevention in retail stores, and received widespread industry recognition for its exceptional performance and accuracy.

• Successfully implemented a License Plate Recognition (LPR) algorithm that is being used with regular CCTV and IP video cameras and currently being deployed at various customer locations worldwide.

• Led the prototype demonstration of a Video Privacy algorithm, which was featured in an article titled "Encrypted CCTV protects the innocent" in New Scientist magazine on July 18, 2009, demonstrating my technical expertise and innovation in the field of video surveillance technology.

 University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA

• Research Assistantship, Center for Visualization and Virtual Environments/Electrical Engineering, August 2002- December 2006

  • Conducted Research & Development on Optimized Structured Light Illumination algorithms and 3D scanner design/implementation as a Research Assistant under Dr. Laurence G Hassebrook.

  • Proposed and implemented Multi-Frequency Phase Measuring Profilometry for high speed and high accuracy 3D scanning.

  • Developed a prototype 3D touch-less finger and palm-print scanner which was licensed by FlashScan3D LLC.

  • Developed 3D scanning software for Toyota Corporation for assembly line inspection.

  • Conducted experiments in calibrating 3D scanner systems and implemented a polynomial based calibration method.

  • Implemented an OpenGL viewer to analyze the 3D scan data.

  • Mentored two graduate students’ research work and an undergraduate student’s summer research work.

  • Published journal and conference papers on various funded projects including "Real-Time, 3-D Finger and Palm-Print Scanner for Entry and Access Portal Security" funded by the Department of Homeland Security and "Three-Dimensional Data Conversion" funded by FlashScan3D, Inc.

• Summer Research Work, May 2004-August 2004

  • Developed a software framework in VC++ to automate rust classification based on AASHTO specifications in paint panels for the Kentucky Transportation Center.

  • Implemented software to control the simultaneous operation of multiple digital cameras for FlashScan3D LLC, enabling single-shot 3D face scans.

• Teaching Assistantship, 2003-2004:

  1. • Designed and developed digital circuit experiments, provided instruction, and evaluated lab reports and homework assignments for undergraduate students.