R&D -Senior Manager- Material development
N. Sathishkumar
JK Fenner India Limited
Chennai,TN
1
Certification
19
Years of experience
Results-driven Senior R&D Manager specializing in elastomeric sealing systems for automotive, railway, and defense sectors. Leads technical initiatives from requirements gathering to prototype development and design validation, ensuring cost-effective and sustainable solutions. Collaborates with manufacturing and supplier networks to enhance product quality while fostering positive customer experiences.
Work History
Senior Manager - Research and Development
17 Years 1 Month- led R&D programs for JK Fenner rubber power transmission products.
- Directed new product development across belts, pulleys, and polymer components.
- Performed design support and validation of elastomer compounds for oil seal applications by tuning material selection performance and verifying compliance with OEM railway and defence standards for sealing efficiency, durability, and environmental resistance.
- Benchmarked and reverse-engineered elastomer components to align with function durability and cost targets.
- Executed compound formulation and optimization using analytical methods including TGA, DSC, FTIR, chromatography, and rheological testing.
- Conduct failure analysis on rubber products via root cause identification, then implement corrective and preventive actions to enhance field performance.
- supported alternate supply sourcing and material qualification for rubber polymers and chemicals to protect supply continuity and cost competitiveness.
- Set processing parameters and supported commercialization of compounds based on NR, NBR, CR, EPDM, HNBR, ACM, FKM, and silicone.
- Completed process improvement initiatives focused on rejection reduction, cycle-time improvement, and productivity enhancement.
- Managed IMDS submissions for automotive OEM compliance.
- Maintained calibration and reliability of laboratory testing instruments.
- Prepared and maintained technical reports, validation documents, QMS records, and EHS records.
- Served as internal auditor for IATF 16949, ISO 14001:2015, and ISO 45001:2018.
- Applied Design for Six Sigma methods for compound optimization and product robustness.
- Reviewed elastomer compound material specifications and reinforcement system requirements.
- Supervised prototype trials, validation tests, and design revisions.
- Guided failure analysis on field issues and product performance concerns.
- Supported compliance with internal standards and customer product specifications.
Quality Assurance Analyst
2 Years 1 Month- Supported product quality checks by testing metal samples with analytical equipment, including LECO oxygen and hydrogen analyzer, optical emission spectrometer, atomic absorption spectrometer, and LECO sulfur analyzer.
- Performed gas chromatography testing on emulsion samples.
- Performed chemical analysis for Tuticorin smelter laboratory at Vedanta division.
- Prepared ore, slag, and metal samples for quality testing.
- Conducted titration and spectrometer readings for plant samples.
- Calibrated laboratory instruments for routine process control checks.
- Supported equipment maintenance efforts to ensure reliability of analytical instruments.
- Defined core responsibilities for product quality assurance to ensure adherence to standards.
- Compiled NABL documentation for compliance and audit readiness.
Education
Ph.D. (Pursuing)
MBA - General Executive
M.Sc. - Polymer Science
B.Sc. - Chemistry
Skills
Rubber and polymer evaluation
Characterization of polymers and formulations
Thermal and mechanical assessments
Composition analysis of chemicals
Investigation of failures
Strategies for product development
Methodologies for research projects
Troubleshooting proficiency
Problem-solving with analytical skills
Collaboration across functions
Documentation in technical fields
Leadership capabilities in teams
Troubleshooting
Analytical thinking
Relationship management
Relationship building
Personal Information
Title: Senior Manager – R&D
Certification
- DFSS Black Belt – ADAPP
- Short term course of Rubber science and Technology -HASETRI
- Reverse Engineering & Advanced Rubber Testing – HASETRI
- Thermal Analysis (TGA & DSC) – TA Instruments
- REACH Regulations – Rubber Board of India
- Advanced Rubber Technology – IIT Kharagpur
- Modern Instrumentation (IRMRA)
- ISO 17025:2017 NABL internal Auditor
- IATF 16949: 2016 Internal Auditor
- ISO 14001 & ISO 45001 internal auditor
- AS 9100 internal auditor
- VDA 6.3 internal auditor
- ISO 50001 Energy Management internal auditor.
- IMDS compliance
Publications:
- Effects of Green Silica on NBR Composites and Enhanced Mechanical Characteristics
- Journal Name: Polymers for Advanced Technologie
Training & Certification
- Short term course of Rubber science and Technology -HASETRI
- Reverse Engineering & Advanced Rubber Testing – HASETRI
- Thermal Analysis (TGA & DSC) – TA Instruments
- REACH Regulations – Rubber Board of India
- Advanced Rubber Technology – IIT Kharagpur
- Modern Instrumentation (IRMRA)
- ISO 17025:2017 NABL internal Auditor
- IATF 16949: 2016 Internal Auditor
- ISO 14001 & ISO 45001 internal auditor
- AS 9100 internal auditor
- VDA 6.3 internal auditor
- ISO 50001 Energy Management internal auditor.
- IMDS compliance
Declaration
I hereby declare that all the details provided in this resume are true and correct to the best of my knowledge. Date- 24.07.2026 Place: Kanchipuram Signature
Key Achievements:
- Achieved 60% post-cure time reduction, significantly improving manufacturing cycle time.
- Reduced cure time for Poly-V belts and oil seals using DSC-based heat capacity analysis.
- Developed low-friction NBR, ACM, and FKM compounds with 30% friction reduction for oil seal applications.
- Distinguished FKM polymer types and determined ACN content in NBR using advanced analytical techniques.
- Published a technical research paper in Polymers for Advanced Technologies journal.
- Recognized for successful DFSS Black Belt certification (ADAPP methodology).
Timeline
Senior Manager - Research and Development
JK Fenner India Limited
09.2009 - CurrentRead More
Quality Assurance Analyst
Sterlite Industries (India) Ltd. Tuticorin, Division Group of Vedanta
07.2007 - 08.2009Read More
University of Madras, Guindy Campus
Ph.D. (Pursuing)
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Bharathiar University
MBA from General Executive
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University of Madras
M.Sc. from Polymer Science
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University of Madras
B.Sc. from Chemistry
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