Nairitya Tarnekar

Automotive engineer with a deep passion for vehicle dynamics, structural chassis design, and hands-on manufacturing. I bridge the gap between complex engineering theory and track-ready reality a mindset that helped lead my team to a National Championship and the "Best CAD Design" award at HFKC Bhopal, and currently guides my role steering complete vehicle architecture and FSAE design documentation for GTU Motorsports. Beyond the track, my industrial internship background in Supplier Quality Assurance (SQA) at Raicam Automotive has given me a strong corporate foundation in GD&T precision metrology, component testing, and managing high-stakes client quality audits. Moving forward, my goal is to step into a core Automotive R&D or Vehicle Dynamics role where I can utilize my experience in multi-system integration, advanced simulation, and technical leadership to design and build high-performance vehicles.

Head of Chassis & Design | FSAE Vehicle Design Project | GTU Motorsports

March 2025 – Present

As Head of Chassis & Design (Chassis, Design, & Static Lead), I direct complete vehicle architecture and Vehicle Dynamics optimization, collaborating with Powertrain and Drivetrain divisions for multi-system hardpoint integration. I serve as a Core Team Mentor, managing technical knowledge packaging and training recruits through our structured Team Selection Procedure. My leadership culminates at Supra SAE India 2026, Formula Bharat 2026, and Formula Bharat 2027 preparations, spearheading the strategy to defend our Vehicle Dynamics simulations and design reports before industry judging experts.

Technical Design & Engineering

• CAD Architecture & Rulebook Execution: Transformed the vehicle concept from a single-line sketch to a fully realized SolidWorks space-frame structure; engineered every structural node using AISI 4130 Chromoly Tubing to strictly satisfy foundational automotive theory, physical formulas, and strict FSAE safety constraints.
• Suspension Packaging & Component Integration: Translated complex suspension kinematics data into 3D CAD to locate precise hardpoints and custom Rocker Arm Positioning for the Decoupled Suspension System; adapted the chassis frame to cleanly house Powertrain layouts, solid Drivetrain components, and driver cockpit Ergonomics.
• Advanced FEA Simulation & Precision Fabrication: Performed rigorous structural Finite Element Analysis (FEA) in Ansys under severe torsional loading to validate frame rigidity and a safe Factor of Safety (FOS); managed the physical manufacturing phase by designing custom Jig and Fixture Layouts to prevent welding distortion during the fabrication of all suspension, steering, and powertrain mounts.
• Scrutineering Documentation Leadership: Governed and defended the team's top-tier technical submissions as the Static Lead; supervised the direct creation and compliance tracking of the mandatory Structural Equivalency Spreadsheet (SES), Engineering Design Presentation (EDP), and TSDV records for evaluation at Supra SAE India 2026 and Formula Bharat.

Feb 2024 – Oct 2025

Strategic Leadership & Management

• Operations & Budget Management: Coordinated daily workflows, task assignments, and Financial Budget Planning for a 22-member team, ensuring a smooth manufacturing transition from computer modeling to full garage fabrication.
• Championship Team Direction: Managed trackside operations and sudden technical challenges under high pressure, leading the team to secure the National Championship and Best Racing Team titles at the Hindustan Formula Karting Championship (HFKC) Season 5 in Bhopal.

Technical Design & Engineering

• Chassis Design & Flex Optimization: Modeled a high-performance space-frame chassis layout using premium AISI 4130 Chromoly Steel Tubing to achieve an ultra-light vehicle frame that balanced torsional stiffness with planned frame flexing to act as a built-in suspension system for enhanced cornering grip.
• FEA Structural & Safety Validation: Performed comprehensive crash-impact stress testing using SolidWorks Simulation to run Finite Element Analysis (FEA), mapping stress distribution levels across critical weldments to validate a reliable Factor of Safety (FOS) baseline.
• Ergonomics & Weight Distribution: Utilized specialized adjustable setup rigs to optimize cockpit space, Driver Ergonomics, and steering layout comfort while maintaining an ideal, balanced weight distribution over the front and rear tires.
• Award-Winning Compliance Blueprints: Authored strict rulebook compliance blueprints and technical CAD reports that successfully defeated engineering scrutiny to win the prestigious "Best CAD Design" National Award at the HFKC Bhopal Event.

• Certificate of Participation - HFKC Season 5, Certificate awarded for winning the National Championship title in HFKC Season 5. It recognizes our overall victory along with the Best Team and Best CAD Design awards.
• Certificate of Participation - FKDC Season 8, Official certification acknowledging my role as Head of Chassis in the National Formula Kart Design Challenge.
• Motorsports Workshop Certificate, Acquired foundational knowledge in Formula Student design and manufacturing practices.

• National Championship in Formula Kart Design Challenge
• Best CAD Design
• Best Racing Team