Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Accomplishments
Timeline
Generic
Ramapandiyan Thanikodi

Ramapandiyan Thanikodi

Chennai

Summary

Senior Manufacturing Engineering Leader with 14+ years of experience in global automobile and EV manufacturing across Daimler, Stellantis, Renault-Nissan, and Ford. Proven expertise in end-to-end assembly process planning, greenfield and brownfield project execution, and electric vehicle program launches. Recognized for driving cost savings, capacity enhancements, lean manufacturing, and global cross-functional leadership. Certified in EV Assembly Process, MTM-2, with deep proficiency in digital factory tools and virtual validation.

Overview

14
14
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Divisional Manager – EV process engineering

Daimler India Commercial Vehicles
Chennai
10.2022 - Current
  • Lead the end-to-end EV assembly process and facility planning for upcoming truck programs.
  • Managed project budgets, supplier sourcing, and facility installation to meet SOP readiness.
  • Drive budget planning and supplier negotiations, achieving a 15% capex optimization.
  • Developed layouts, contingency plans, and capacity studies, ensuring cost and quality targets.
  • Coordinated with global teams to align EV manufacturing standards across regions.
  • Implemented process improvements to increase efficiency and reduce operational costs.

Manager – EV Assembly Process

Stellantis India Pvt Ltd
Chennai
11.2020 - 10.2022
  • EV assembly shop process planning and facility implementation.
  • Improved line capacity by 20% through cycle time optimization and layout rebalancing.
  • Drove PFMEA and DFx practices, ensuring launch readiness with zero major quality issues.
  • Managed PFMEA and virtual validation, ensuring zero launch delays for new EV models.
  • Introduced ergonomic tooling and automation, reducing operator fatigue, and improving quality.

Lead manufacturing engineer – Process Planning & Facility Implementation

Renault Nissan Technology & Business Centre
Chennai
01.2017 - 11.2020
  • Developed trim and chassis assembly lines for multiple new models.
  • Supported China and Korea launches onsite, solving quality and process bottlenecks.
  • Implemented lean improvements, cutting cycle time by 12%.
  • Delivered successful launches with strong collaboration across global engineering teams.

Senior manufacturing engineer – Vehicle Assembly Process Planning

Ford Motor Company
Chennai
09.2013 - 01.2017
  • Trim & Chassis shop assembly process planning and facility implementation.
  • Executed digital validation, MBOM simulation, and layout planning for new model launches.
  • Successfully launched the Figo Aspire MY17 in a greenfield project, winning the Asia Pacific award.
  • Ensured PFMEA, process control plans, and ergonomic compliance in Trim and Chassis.

Design Engineer

Hirotec India
Coimbatore
05.2011 - 09.2013
  • Designed and detailed BIW welding fixtures, robotic arm concepts, and process layouts.
  • Delivered cost-effective and ergonomic solutions, supporting production ramp-up.

Education

B.E. - Mechanical Engineering

VMKV Engineering College
01-2011

Diploma - Production Engineering

Govt. Polytechnic
01-2008

Skills

  • EV assembly process engineering and project execution
  • Facility planning and equipment development, digital factory and virtual validation
  • PFMEA, control plan, and process capability (Cp, Cpk)
  • Line balancing and cycle time study
  • Lean manufacturing and layout design
  • New model introduction (NPI) management
  • Stakeholder communication and negotiation
  • Software: CATIA, NX, Teamcenter, Jack Ergo Study, AutoCAD

Certification

  • EV assembly process level-2 – TUV (Germany)
  • MTM 2 Certified – MTM Association

Accomplishments

  • Global launches: supported programs in China, South Korea, and India, ensuring flawless SOPs
  • Cost optimization: reduced investment cost by 15% through process optimization and design standardization
  • Received the Ford Asia Pacific Award for greenfield project execution
  • Capacity enhancement: enabled 30 to 60 JPH ramp-up at Renault China

Timeline

Divisional Manager – EV process engineering

Daimler India Commercial Vehicles
10.2022 - Current

Manager – EV Assembly Process

Stellantis India Pvt Ltd
11.2020 - 10.2022

Lead manufacturing engineer – Process Planning & Facility Implementation

Renault Nissan Technology & Business Centre
01.2017 - 11.2020

Senior manufacturing engineer – Vehicle Assembly Process Planning

Ford Motor Company
09.2013 - 01.2017

Design Engineer

Hirotec India
05.2011 - 09.2013

B.E. - Mechanical Engineering

VMKV Engineering College

Diploma - Production Engineering

Govt. Polytechnic
Ramapandiyan Thanikodi