PRASHANTH KULAL
Mechanical Engineer
Bangalore,KA
Summary
Result-oriented engineering leader with 18+ years of experience across product design, development, and lifecycle ownership for high-speed gear units, hydrodynamic bearings, and rotating equipment in power, oil & gas, chemicals, and industrial sectors.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
Manager – Design & Development
British Engines India Pvt. Ltd.
01.2018 - Current
- Department leadership for engineering (team of ~10 design engineers); accountable for day-to-day delivery of tailored hydrodynamic bearing solutions, industrial gearboxes, and lubrication systems.
- Owned performance calculations, application engineering, and bearing selection at bid stage; authored and approved technical packages including BOM and manufacturing drawings.
- Delivered high-quality techno-commercial proposals with fast turnaround—translating technical concepts into customer value for pumps, power generation, oil & gas, and marine propulsion use-cases.
- Instituted roadmap thinking for product variants and design optimisation (cost/weight reduction, manufacturability, reliability).
- Led design reviews, checked engineering drawings, and governed concessions/deviations; closed feedback loops on non-conformance reports and field performance.
- Testing and validation of gearboxes, monitoring performances to meet the customer expecations. resolutions to temperarure issues,vibrations analysis,trouble shooting.
- Partnered with operations and sourcing to improve time-to-market, reduce rework/waste, and enhance on-time delivery through process controls.
- Customer-facing troubleshooting and application support; resolved issues on-site and ensured quick, accurate solution recommendations.
Deputy Manager – Design & Development (High-Speed Gear Units)
RENK Gears India Pvt. Ltd
01.2017 - 01.2018
- Managed delivery of standard and customised high-speed gearboxes to Indian market; aligned portfolio to customer applications.
- Performed gear rating (AGMA/API), bearing selection, and shaft analysis at bidding and detailed engineering stages; submitted data sheets and contractual drawings (GA, sectional, mass-elastic, instrument).
- Governed QAP per RENK standards, reviewed manufacturing deviations, and coordinated with vendors/suppliers for schedule adherence.
- Supported sales with commercial modelling and timely proposals; improved responsiveness for customer enquiries and deal shaping.
Assistant Manager – Design & Development (High-Speed Gear Units)
Elecon Engineering Co. Ltd
07.2015 - 01.2017
- Owned delivery of tailored high-speed gearing solutions; performed gear ratings, shaft/bearing analysis, rotor dynamic assessment, and lubrication/turning gear system design.
- Sized gear units using Ratex/KISSsoft; reviewed hydrodynamic bearing performance reports and led application engineering for layout and weight estimation.
- Chaired design reviews and cross-functional meetings; captured customer feedback and executed engineering implications during contracts.
- Ensured compliance with AGMA/API 613/677 standards; approved drawings, concessions, and design changes; managed workload, plan, and BOM release to manufacturing.
- Developed prototype 15 MW high-speed gearbox and in-house test infrastructure (200 kW motor test bench; 800 LPM forced lubrication system) for validation.
Team Lead – Oil & Gas Projects (High-Speed Gear Units)
David Brown Gear Systems
03.2012 - 06.2015
- Led new-build & HX high-speed gear units from order handover to delivery; created engineering programme plans and prioritised tasks.
- Trained and supported design/contract engineers; checked and approved designs, models, and drawings; governed document control and PMP reviews.
- Prepared GA/sectional arrangements, lubrication P&IDs, wiring and alignment diagrams; allocated analysis (load calculations, modelling) and consolidated reports for submission.
- Executed calculations: gear rating, shaft design, bearing sizing, oil flow, nozzle selection, power loss; approved contractual documents (GA, MED, gear/instrument data sheets, wiring, alignment, IOM).
- Created BOMs in SAP; supported UK sales/pre-order teams with unit size selection, weight estimation, and technical proposals.
Senior Design Engineer – Design & Development
Triveni Industries Ltd, Gears Division
04.2008 - 03.2012
- Led a team of 5+ engineers to design high-speed gearboxes per AGMA/API standards for power (steam turbine–generator) and process industries (pump–compressor).
- Delivered contractual drawings, technical/bought-out data sheets, manufacturing drawings, BOMs, and testing specifications; ensured standards compliance.
- Executed rotordynamic analysis for critical speeds and vibration; designed lubrication systems and drive elements (structures, couplings).
- Frontline customer support and on-site troubleshooting; delivered drop-in replacement solutions and retrofit designs (10+ successful replacements across multiple OEMs).
- Coordinated manufacturing processes for gear sets, heat treatment, assembly, testing, and validation.
Design Engineer
Sartorius India Pvt. Ltd (German MNC)
02.2006 - 03.2008
- Designed and drafted filter housings, cross-flow systems, and pressure vessels/fermenters per ASME Sec VIII (2004) and ASME BPE requirements.
- Calculated shell, flange, and lid thickness; worked with ISO/DIN/BS standards; ANSI and tri-clover flanges; DIN connectors and pipe fittings.
- Supported sales with preliminary drawings and size estimation during pre-order stage; managed ECR/ECN and drawing updates.
Education
Advanced Masters Program - CAD/CAM/CAE & Mould Design
CIPET
Mysore01-2006
B.E. - Mechanical Engineering
Malnad College of Engineering (VTU)
01.2005
Skills
Techno-commercial proposals & sign off; value-based pricing and margin optimization support through value engineering
Cross-functional leadership: R&D, engineering, operations, sourcing, service, and sales alignment
Customer engagement & application engineering: translating requirements into product specifications and clear value propositions
Market intelligence: competitor benchmarking, cost structures, and value-curve analysis to drive differentiation
Rotating equipment expertise: high-speed gearboxes, hydrodynamic bearings, lubrication systems, pipings & retrofit product development
Standards & compliance: AGMA, API 613/677, ASME, DIN,ISO; GD&T and drawing governance
Tools: MathCAD, KISSsoft/Ratex, SAP (BOM/engineering change), 2D/3D CAD, and document control
Timeline
Manager – Design & Development
British Engines India Pvt. Ltd.
01.2018 - Current
Deputy Manager – Design & Development (High-Speed Gear Units)
RENK Gears India Pvt. Ltd
01.2017 - 01.2018
Assistant Manager – Design & Development (High-Speed Gear Units)
Elecon Engineering Co. Ltd
07.2015 - 01.2017
Team Lead – Oil & Gas Projects (High-Speed Gear Units)
David Brown Gear Systems
03.2012 - 06.2015
Senior Design Engineer – Design & Development
Triveni Industries Ltd, Gears Division
04.2008 - 03.2012
Design Engineer
Sartorius India Pvt. Ltd (German MNC)
02.2006 - 03.2008
B.E. - Mechanical Engineering
Malnad College of Engineering (VTU)
Advanced Masters Program - CAD/CAM/CAE & Mould Design
CIPET