R&D Engineer at Kraton Polymers India Pvt. Ltd. (2024-04 – Present)
Started with Kraton Research & Development- Process Development and Scale Up Team. Feb-2025 transferred to Breakthrough Technologies Team, Notark Corporation, which develops polymer products for energy & electronics sector.
- Led multiple innovative projects on Process Development Pilot Plant at Vizag to optimize the polymer finishing processes & reduce energy consumption in Kraton's manufacturing facilities.
- Conducted process modifications, prepared trial plan, executed trials, prepared mass & energy balance
- Collaborated with pilot plant operations, quality & engineering team to ensure knowledge transfer.
- Prepared the R&D reports with relevant process data & analytical results. Presented findings to US team.
- Worked on Epoxidized HSBC polymer process development at CDMO partner in Bangalore
- Oversaw cationic polymerization trials for production of Notark Resin for CCL application.
- Oversaw ion conducting polymers casting trials for AEM and PEM application.
- Managed technology transfer activities with external manufacturing partners for pilot and commercial trials.
- Collaborated on Capex installations at tollers, plant commissioning, planning & execution of product trials.
- Developed PFD, P&ID, mass balances, SOPs & Checklists, Performed RCA for pilot plant and scale-up trials.
- Ensured product trials conducted as per SOP, quality standards and product specifications are met.
- Developed QMS with customer collaboration for products to ensure traceability.
- Prepared reports with relevant process data from trials for global stakeholders.
- Supported overseas shipments & related compliances.
Shift Officer at Oriental Yeast India Pvt. Ltd. (2019-09 – 2024-03)
Training in Oriental Yeast Corporation (OYC), Tokyo plant, Japan for 6 months as secondment. Involved in the operations from pre-commissioning to fully running Yeast manufacturing plant.
- Conducted in pre-commissioning and commissioning activities for startup of yeast plant.
- Ensured cross-functional collaboration for equipments installation and conducted successful trials.
- Worked closely for commissioning with AYESA, TOYO, Alfa-Laval, Shimizu, Thermax, Atlas Copco
- Monitored, measured and reported production related process performance.
- Performed Process calculations, mass & energy balance. Provided inputs on fermentation recipe.
- Collaborated with other departments to avoid downtime, improved efficiency in the processes.
- Prepared technical documentations, SOPs, Log sheets, Check sheets, Work instructions.
- Responsible for production planning, troubleshooting, effective utilization of manpower & raw material.
- Trained subordinates, technicians and workers in the process. Handled team of engineers and technicians.
- Performed periodic tests on the processes & product to ensure parameters are within specifications.
- Performed quality check of raw materials. Supported successful ERP implementation.
- Ensured product quality and safety in the shift, implemented GMP, GHP guidelines.
- Involved in HACCP implementation. Assisted for certifications FSSC22000, ISO45000, ISO14000.
- Performed RCA, also implemented changes to the process, process parameters & optimization.
R&D Officer at KK Enterprises, Phospholipids Division (2018-09 – 2019-09)
- Performed lab trials for Phosphotydle choline product development from Soya lecithin.
- Led process scale-up activities from laboratory to pilot Plant, Conducted Pilot plant installations.
- Conducted process development, Prepared PFD, P&ID, mass balance, & technical documentation.
- Conducted Pilot Plant trials, collected & analyzed analytical & process data for yield improvement.
- Managed pilot plant activities, troubleshooting, de-bottlenecking for process improvement.
- Developed analytical testing procedure at ICT & TIFR. Ensured product quality and workplace safety.
