Nikhil Thite

NPD Lead with 13+ years of industry experience, including 10+ years in New Product Development (NPD), product design and development, specializing in oil pumps and engine components. Expert in managing end-to-end NPD programs from customer RFQs and technical feasibility through design, prototyping, validation, APQP/PPAP, and serial production release. Proficient in cross-functional team coordination, technical costing, DFMEA/PFMEA, and advanced engineering software like SolidWorks and SAP.

NPD LEAD – Product Development at Laxmi Drucken Komponents Pvt. Ltd. (2023-05 – Present)

• Lead the design and development of oil pumps and engine components based on customer specifications and functional requirements.
• Review and approve design inputs, engineering calculations, material selection, 3D models, assemblies and 2D drawings.
• Conduct design reviews covering dimensions, tolerances, fits, GD&T, materials, interfaces, strength and manufacturability.
• Lead DFM/DFA reviews with manufacturing and quality teams and implement design improvements.
• Guide design engineers in component and assembly design, drawing preparation and technical problem solving.
• Support reverse engineering through pump performance testing, dismantling, dimensional inspection, 3D scanning, STP model generation, material verification and drawing development.
• Analyse prototype/testing issues and support root-cause analysis, design modifications and validation.
• Ensure engineering drawings and design documents are updated and controlled through the ECN/ECR and revision-control process.
• Lead end-to-end NPD projects from customer enquiry/RFQ and feasibility through prototype development, validation, PPAP and serial production release.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams including Design, Manufacturing, Quality, Sourcing, Suppliers and Customers to achieve project quality, cost and delivery targets.
• Prepare and monitor project plans, timelines, milestones, responsibilities and action items and conduct regular development review meetings.
• Manage customer requirements, technical discussions, project status reporting, design reviews and requirement clarifications.
• Drive feasibility studies, costing, prototype planning, testing, validation and customer approval.
• Coordinate APQP, PPAP, DFMEA/PFMEA, DFM/DFA, DVP&R, PFD, QAP and process documentation.
• Identify project risks, technical issues and delays, coordinate corrective actions and ensure timely closure.
• Manage ECN/ECR, BOM and SAP-related engineering activities and coordinate final product release for serial production.

SENIOR ENGINEER- NPD at Laxmi Drucken Komponents Pvt. Ltd. (2013-08 – 2023-05)

• Executed NPD projects from concept through PPAP approval for multiple OEM customers.
• Created, modified, released and maintained engineering drawings with revision control.
• Supported supplier development and aligned supplier process capability with project quality requirements.
• Supported APQP activities at supplier end and ensured timely prototype and pilot-batch development.
• Contributed to cost-reduction projects and process-improvement initiatives.

GRADUATE ENGINEER TRAINEE (GET) at Bharat Forge Ltd. (Kalyani Group) (2011-07 – 2013-08)

• Gained practical exposure to manufacturing, machining, inspection and automotive component development.
• Supported production and quality teams with problem-solving and process-improvement activities.

BE in Mechanical Engineering – Solapur University (2011)