Dhanush Sivadas
Chennai
Summary
Over 15 years of experience in the Automotive Industry, spanning Tier 1 Automotive Product Development, Marketing, Branding, and Digital Strategy. Proven expertise as a Project Engineering & Program Lead for multiple Special
Purpose Vehicles.
Specialized in Vehicle Development and All-Terrain Capability/Traction Engineering - from defining and implementing 4WD/AWD systems, Slip Control Technologies, and Vehicle Architecture Optimization, to hardware selection and validation for peak off-road performance.
Experienced in conceptualizing and organizing large-scale off-road competitions, integrating automotive passion into successful professional projects.
A motorsports champion translating racing expertise into innovation and
performance in product development.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Lead Engineer - Vehicle Development
Mahindra & Mahindra
Chennai
06.2022 - Current
- Leading a passionate team to ensure all-terrain capability of the Mahindra product portfolio.
- Spearheaded the All-Terrain Capability Development in the Thar ROXX. Starting from defining architecture, selecting hardware, and leading the testing and validation of technologies and hardware.
- Developed India's first features, like Intelli Turn Assist and Crawl Smart Assist, leveraging the ESP system.
- Spearheaded the Project BUJJI special vehicle for Vyjayanti Movies. From vehicle architecture, simulations, packaging, definition of mechanical systems, and project management.
- Leading the creation and implementation of All-Terrain Chassis technology on 4WD/AWD projects, including Electronic Differential Lock, Dynamic Torque Vectoring, Brake Torque Vectoring, Torque On Demand Transfer Case, Power Take Off Units, Terrain modes, and more. )
- Working closely with vehicle integration and advanced architecture on hardware selection and finalization for 4x4 systems and vehicle architecture.
- Designing and developing concepts and prototypes to take 4x4 to the next level for maintaining a leadership position.
- Leading All-Terrain Capability Attributes (Define, Conduct Jury, Evaluate, Confirm, Develop).
- Leading the creation of testing standards and procedures for vehicle and system-level evaluation.
- Leading the Benchmark team for global competition analysis and futuring for all new vehicle programs involving 4WD systems.
Founder & Technical Director
Verge Racing
Wayanad
04.2010 - 05.2022
- Founded and led a 40-member racing team to achieve success in national-level off-road motorsports.
- Organizing and executing extreme off-road trail drives and competitive events.
- Constructing specialized 4x4 vehicles for Extreme Off-Road competitions.
- Establishing and maintaining a seamless network and business partnership with sponsors, participants, and vehicle builders.
- Developing top-tier, world-class extreme off-road competition tracks.
- Achieving success in multiple extreme off-road national-level competitions.
- Implementing weight reduction strategies for competitive, and engineering advantage.
- Dealing with off-roading specific parts and accessorie
Head of Digital Strategy
Prodealer Social
Wayanad
06.2016 - 04.2022
- Delivered 360° digital marketing strategies for 50+ automotive clients, increasing lead generation by 30% via targeted social campaigns.
- Built and mentored a team managing over 100 social media accounts, improving client retention by 40% through data-driven optimizations.
Assistant Engineer
Simplex Infrastructures LTD
Hyderabad
07.2007 - 04.2008
- Successful in designing and setting up a systematic approach to load cement into the batching plant, which saves hundreds of man-hours of labor every day, and which also did away with workers working in a hazardous environment.
- Performed routine maintenance inspections on equipment to respond to and identify problems with breakdowns in a timely manner.
- Provided solutions, and escalated equipment malfunctioning, system faults, corrective actions, modifications, and the replacements and/or new installation.
- Managed the equipment storage and mentored on the safety measures.
Education
Bachelor of Technology - Mechanical Engineering
Cochin University of Science & Technology
Cochin, Kerala04-2007
Skills
- Systems engineering
- Vehicle development
- All-terrain capability
- Vehicle architecture
- Cross-functional leadership and stakeholder management
- Hardware selection
- Slip control and traction engineering
- Vehicle integration
- Event conceptualization and motorsports organization
- Critical thinking
- Product strategy
Languages
English
Native
Native
Malayalam
Proficient (C2)
C2
Tamil
Proficient (C2)
C2
Telugu
Beginner
A1
Kannada
Beginner (A1)
A1
Accomplishments
2024 Kerala Adventure Trophy - Winner of Jimny Class
Timeline
Lead Engineer - Vehicle Development
Mahindra & Mahindra
06.2022 - Current
Head of Digital Strategy
Prodealer Social
06.2016 - 04.2022
Founder & Technical Director
Verge Racing
04.2010 - 05.2022
Assistant Engineer
Simplex Infrastructures LTD
07.2007 - 04.2008
Bachelor of Technology - Mechanical Engineering
Cochin University of Science & Technology