PONNELAN PANDIYAN
Yokohama,japan
Summary
Client Partner-level leader in automotive engineering services with extensive on-site experience in Japan, owning customer relationships, revenue growth and delivery for Japanese OEM and Tier-1 accounts including Honda, Nissan and Marelli. Founded the Honda ER&D account from the ground up and expanded it across multiple service lines (CAE, CFD, 1D & MBD, NVH simulation, harness, thermal, and benchmarking & costing) through RFQ wins and proposal-led selling. Previously held revenue responsibility for a business unit, launching offshore CAE and automation offerings that grew and diversified revenue. Combines technical depth in powertrain, electrification, interiors and seating with commercial strengths: presales, account planning, costing and pricing, SOW/SLA management and senior stakeholder relationships. Bridges Japanese customers and global delivery teams with business-level Japanese and English. Leads client partnerships in automotive engineering services, owning revenue growth, delivery governance and senior stakeholder relationships across Japanese OEM and Tier-1 accounts. Builds new business lines from the ground up through RFQ-led selling, presales support and cross-functional account expansion across CAE, CFD, NVH, electrification and interior programmes. Bridges Japanese customers and global delivery teams with business-level Japanese and English.
Overview
1
1
Language
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
Project Manager / SPOC – E-Axle, Thermal, Harness
Honda ER&D (deputed from KPIT Technologies)
Yokohoma, Hondas ER&D, Utsunomiya
11.2023 - Current
- Account founder: First member on the account; on-boarded as the client-side SPOC representing KPIT to Honda ER&D, succeeded in RFQ pilots and converted them into regular business.
- Drove revenue growth and account expansion by acquiring additional business in Harness, Thermal (Battery Management), and Benchmarking & Costing, significantly broadening account scope beyond E-Axle while pursuing new opportunities with Honda and other clients.
- Service-line expansion: Scaled the team from a single contributor to 30+ engineers across multiple verticals: CAE, CFD, 1D & MBD and NVH simulation, alongside E-Axle design.
- Managed end-to-end RFQ processes for presales support.
- SOP) presales support; prepared and presented business proposals to customers and partners.
- Relationship management: Single point of contact for Honda ER&D; gather and document stakeholder requirements and problem statements; organize project meetings and manage requirement changes; build long-term relationships that improved satisfaction and delivery transparency.
- Managed onsite and offshore operations for Offshore Development Center (ODC), overseeing budgeting, resource and vendor management, SOW/SLA compliance, and KPI monitoring while ensuring 100% on-time delivery through VA/VE, quality, cost, and time control.
- Innovation: Introduced VA/VE into automation and established GSN cloud data systems for ODC operations.
- Technical credibility: Directed E-Axle system design and analysis (layout/CAD, meshing, CAE structural, oil-flow/CFD) covering mounting, lubrication, sensors and brackets.
- Received recognition for contributions to team projects.: KPIT Manager Discretion Spot Award – Distinguished Contributor (Mar 2024); KPIT Team Award (Sep 2024).
Project Consultant – Interior Trims (IBU)
Marelli (deputed from L&T Technology Services)
06.2019 - 07.2023
- Stakeholders: Nissan, Marelli, L&T Technology Services | Projects: P42R, P42Q, C53D, J344, RFQ W33C
- Owned 10–12% of L&T's overall business revenue and 30–40% of the Interior Business Unit (IBU); developed the business plan end-to-end, including ROI for new business opportunities.
- Presales & new-logo wins: Won RFQs against competitors to acquire new projects as Presales for the IBU.
- New service lines: Introduced CAE as a new vertical business in offshore (15%
- 20% of revenue) and formed a new Automation team across all business units, diversifying revenue beyond CAD into Testing, Automation, PLM and Data.
- Offshore team building: Led a 25-member offshore team; managed SOW review, outsourcing and work transfer to offshore India, DOU monitoring, resource management and supplier follow-up.
- Customer relationship: Direct SPOC with Nissan and Marelli; accountable for product delivery at the client end and business/revenue for the parent company; coordinated with sales, purchasing, testing and production.
- Automation & productivity: Delivered automation tools that improved yield and reduced cycle time; positioned E2E digital engineering support as a repeatable, revenue-generating offering.
- Costing & risk: Prepared production-process cost estimates, QCT analysis and risk assessments; drove mold optimization and process reviews.
- Program lifecycle: Managed interior trim programs from concept through SOP and after-sales support, including styling feedback, feasibility, DCS/KFD/OFD, homologation and CAE rigidity analysis.
Seat Layout & Packaging Engineer – Nissan Fuga
Tachi-S (deputed from HU ENGG Japan)
02.2019 - 06.2019
- Managed layout packaging for front and rear seats, ensuring compliance with Nissan NDS at RFQ stage to support project goals.
- Coordinated with global suppliers on prototype and production schedules, facilitating timely delivery and alignment with project timelines.
- Organised production timetables to enhance workflow, minimising production downtime and optimising resource allocation.
- Prepared reports detailing data analysis and prospective solutions, benefits and costs.
- Planned and organised repairs for faulty production equipment repairs, independently fixing minor problems.
Exterior Trim & FEM Engineer – Nissan Navara
Nissan Motor Corporation (HU ENGG Japan)
02.2018 - 02.2019
- Led design and development of exterior trims and front-end modules.
- Prepared DFMEA/PFMEA, PPAP and QMS documentation for audits; coordinated testing, validation, and certification teams to ensure SOP readiness.
- Managed RF/RFQ, spec tenders, cost breakdown, MOB/MDR planning, and QCT analysis to ensure project alignment with stakeholder expectations.
- Oversaw supplier management and tooling budgets, ensuring effective allocation of up to $4M for optimal project delivery.
Ext/Int Component Engineer – MPV Program
Great Wall Japan Motor (deputed from SION 25)
07.2017 - 11.2017
- Facilitated development of exterior and interior components for MPV program, ensuring alignment with design specifications and project timelines.
- Implemented robust quality control measures for component testing, raising the standard of product reliability.
- Assessed component performance to verify quality standards and identify necessary adjustments for optimisation.
- Managed labour and material costs for projects, achieving timely and budget-compliant delivery.
Seating System Engineer – Nissan Navara
NHK Springs (deputed from Nikken Sogoyo)
09.2015 - 06.2017
- Developed 4-way/6-way/8-way seating systems (foams, trims, pipe frames, brackets, plastics, active headrest mechanisms).
- Coordinate with production engineering for welding line and final assembly setup to ensure seamless integration and efficiency.
- Performed benchmarking and cost modelling across tooling, manufacturing and supplier quotes; executed VA/VE to meet target cost.
Casting & Mold Engineer – Harley-Davidson Fork
Showa Corp. (deputed from Revo Tech)
03.2015 - 08.2015
- Led casting and mold development for Harley-Davidson fork assembly, ensuring design integrity and manufacturing feasibility.
- Produced and distributed drawings and documentation via SmartTeam PDM, facilitating project alignment and compliance.
- Tested equipment, machinery and instruments to assess proper functioning.
- Kept project leaders regularly updated with progress, maintaining open, productive communication.
- Managed maintenance data records and tracked maintenance and operating information for onsite reference.
Design Engineer – Powertrain & Tooling
HIVEC (Joint Venture of Rhino Global Technologies)
06.2011 - 12.2014
- Converted 2D models to 3D for rear wheel assembly, facilitating casting development for John Deere engine block.
- Designed tooling and patterns to meet specific mould requirements, ensuring production readiness.
- Utilised CAD software to create detailed engineering drawings and 3D models for complex mechanical components.
- Documented design processes and modifications meticulously, maintaining accurate records for future reference.
- Managed project timelines and resources efficiently, delivering projects within allocated budgets and deadlines.
Education
MBA - Business Administration
SRM University
12-2025
B.E. - Aeronautical Engineering
Anna University
01-2011
Diploma - Production Engineering
CNPT
01-2008
Skills
- Client & Account Management: Strategic account planning Executive & stakeholder relationships Customer satisfaction & escalation handling Account farming, cross-sell & up-sell Requirement analysis
- Business Growth: Presales & solutioning RFQ/RFI/RFP & proposal presentation Costing, pricing & commercial negotiation New service-line launch (CAE, CFD, NVH, automation) Revenue & margin management
- Delivery & Governance: Onsite-offshore / ODC delivery SOW/SLA & KPI governance Program lifecycle (concept ? SOP ? after-sales) Resource planning & team scaling Risk & change management
- Domain: Powertrain (E-Axle) Electrification (thermal, harness) Interior & seating Two-wheeler (Harley-Davidson fork) APQP, PPAP, DFMEA/PFMEA, VA/VE
- CAD: CATIA V5/V6, Unigraphics NX
- PDM: SmartTeam, Teamcenter
- Methods: DFMEA, PFMEA, APQP, PPAP, QMS, VA/VE, DFM/DFA
- Languages: Tamil (native) Japanese (business level) English (business level)
- Project management
- Client relationship management
- Stakeholder management
- Team leadership
- Agile project management
- Project lifecycle expertise
- Market and client analysis
- Supply chain logistics
- CRM Software proficiency
- Business outreach planning
- Business intelligence tools
- Accounting principles
- Leadership in team settings
TECHNICAL SKILLS & LANGUAGES
Languages: Tamil (native) | Japanese (business level) | English (business level)
TECHNICAL SKILLS & LANGUAGES
Personal: Date of Birth 28 April 1989 (37) | Male | Indian
Timeline
Project Manager / SPOC – E-Axle, Thermal, Harness
Honda ER&D (deputed from KPIT Technologies)
11.2023 - Current
Project Consultant – Interior Trims (IBU)
Marelli (deputed from L&T Technology Services)
06.2019 - 07.2023
Seat Layout & Packaging Engineer – Nissan Fuga
Tachi-S (deputed from HU ENGG Japan)
02.2019 - 06.2019
Exterior Trim & FEM Engineer – Nissan Navara
Nissan Motor Corporation (HU ENGG Japan)
02.2018 - 02.2019
Ext/Int Component Engineer – MPV Program
Great Wall Japan Motor (deputed from SION 25)
07.2017 - 11.2017
Seating System Engineer – Nissan Navara
NHK Springs (deputed from Nikken Sogoyo)
09.2015 - 06.2017
Casting & Mold Engineer – Harley-Davidson Fork
Showa Corp. (deputed from Revo Tech)
03.2015 - 08.2015
Design Engineer – Powertrain & Tooling
HIVEC (Joint Venture of Rhino Global Technologies)
06.2011 - 12.2014
MBA - Business Administration
SRM University
B.E. - Aeronautical Engineering
Anna University
Diploma - Production Engineering
CNPT