PRADEEP PANGALA SUKUMAR
Bangalore
Summary
To lead a high-impact Robotics & Automation vertical, aligning global strategy with local execution and driving scalable, sustainable growth.
Senior Robotics & Automation Leader with 18+ years of global experience across India, China, Europe, and the US OEM ecosystem. Proven track record in building and scaling engineering organizations, leading greenfield robotics automation programs, and acting as single-point owner for end-to-end delivery from concept to SOP. Strong expertise in customer leadership at senior management level, proposal & costing, supplier localization, and global delivery models, with deep understanding of the India engineering ecosystem.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Engineering Manager – Robotics Automation
ABB India Limited
08.2019 - Current
- Own end-to-end engineering and delivery for robotics automation programs, from process concept and costing through installation, commissioning, and customer buy-off.
- Act as single-point customer interface, managing expectations, risks, escalations, and delivery commitments.
- Build and lead multi-disciplinary engineering teams across design, process, simulation, manufacturing, and site execution.
- Drive proposal creation, technical concepting, and cost estimation for new automation opportunities.
- Establish engineering standards, governance, and review mechanisms aligned with global OEM requirements.
- Enable supplier onboarding and localization strategies to optimize cost and delivery.
- Selected Programs: - Autoliv – USA: Engineering Lead for Side Curtain Airbag robotic automation line (assembly to packaging). - Faurecia – India & France: Engineering Lead for thermoforming automation line. - Tata Motors – India: Engineering & Operations Lead for BIW bodyshop programs (Sanand).
Senior Mechanical Engineer – BIW / Technical Design Leader
ABB Engineering Shanghai Ltd.
06.2011 - 08.2019
- Led global BIW automation programs across China, India, and Europe, supporting OEM customers including Volvo, Ford, Renault, VW, BMW, and Daimler.
- Served as technical leader and customer SPOC during design, manufacturing, installation, and SOP phases.
- Guided multi-location engineering teams through concept definition, layout strategy, and capacity planning.
- Supported throughput optimization, quality compliance, and final OEM buy-off.
- Key Leadership Programs: - Volvo – China & Belgium: Global BIW automation leader for underbody and main line. - Ford – India / Turkey: Technical and site leader for bodyside and framing lines. - Renault / VW – Europe & Russia: Design leadership for BIW and handling systems.
Senior Design Engineer – BIW
Augen Technologies Software Solutions Pvt. Ltd.
11.2007 - 05.2011
- Early career experience in BIW design leadership and global onsite coordination for BMW, VW, and Daimler programs across China and Germany.
Education
Bachelor of Engineering - Mechanical
VTU
PPAC - Project Management
Project Planning & Analysis Control
Leadership Training - undefined
IGNITE
CATIA Certification - undefined
Mandarin - Business Communication
Skills
Project management
Leadership Capabilities
- Robotics & Automation Vertical Setup and Scaling (India)
- Engineering Organization Building, Mentoring & Governance
- Customer Leadership & Escalation Management (Global OEMs)
- Proposal Development, Costing & Bid Support
- Supplier Development, Localization & Partner Management
- Greenfield Project Execution & Program Governance
- Global Delivery Model (US/EU Strategy – India Execution)
- Quality, Safety, Compliance & OEM Buy-off
Robotics And Automation Domain Exposure
- BIW Automation: Underbody, Bodyside, Framing, etc
- Robotics Integration & Simulation
- OEM Standards: Ford, Volvo, BMW, VW, Daimler, Tata
- Project Governance: FMEA, Ergo Studies, Buy-off Documentation
Leadership Objective
To lead a high-impact Robotics & Automation vertical, aligning global strategy with local execution and driving scalable, sustainable growth.
Leadership Profile - Summary
Senior Robotics & Automation Leader with 18+ years of global experience across India, China, Europe, and the US OEM ecosystem. Proven track record in building and scaling engineering organizations, leading greenfield robotics automation programs, and acting as single-point owner for end-to-end delivery from concept to SOP. Strong expertise in customer leadership at senior management level, proposal & costing, supplier localization, and global delivery models, with deep understanding of the India engineering ecosystem.
Timeline
Engineering Manager – Robotics Automation
ABB India Limited
08.2019 - Current
Senior Mechanical Engineer – BIW / Technical Design Leader
ABB Engineering Shanghai Ltd.
06.2011 - 08.2019
Senior Design Engineer – BIW
Augen Technologies Software Solutions Pvt. Ltd.
11.2007 - 05.2011
PPAC - Project Management
Project Planning & Analysis Control
Leadership Training - undefined
IGNITE
CATIA Certification - undefined
Mandarin - Business Communication
Bachelor of Engineering - Mechanical
VTU