Palani M

Mechanical Testing and Validation Engineer with 10 years of experience in product validation, reliability testing, environmental qualification, mechanical characterization, and laboratory operations across aerospace, automotive, polymers, composites, coatings, rubber, and plastics. Experienced in planning and executing validation and reliability test programs, developing test plans/procedures, analyzing test data, preparing qualification reports, coordinating external vibration testing, and supporting failure investigations. Strong hands-on experience with laboratory instrumentation, calibration and maintenance, customer coordination, technical documentation, and ISO/IEC17025 / NABL compliance.

NABL Authorized Signatory for Mechanical Testing, with experience leading laboratory testing activities, mentoring technical personnel, and delivering projects to customer and quality requirements.

Assistant Engineer B at Shriram Research Institute (2016-06 – Present)

Lead laboratory testing activities for reliability, durability, mechanical performance, and environmental qualification of aerospace, automotive, polymer, and composite materials/products.

• Plan and execute validation and qualification tests based on customer requirements, applicable ASTM/ISO/EN standards, aerospace specifications, and defined acceptance criteria.
• Develop test plans, test procedures, work instructions, and qualification reports; analyze results and prepare technical reports supporting product qualification and customer decisions.
• Conduct tensile, flexural, shear, drum peel, traction load, hardness, impact, corrosion, UV resistance, weather resistance, colorimetric, and related mechanical/material characterization tests.
• Knowledge and practical exposure to sine and random vibration testing, including test planning, sample preparation, test requirement review, and interpretation of vibration test results.
• Perform environmental qualification and durability assessments including thermal shock, UV weathering, cyclic corrosion, corrosion resistance, and long-term weathering evaluations.
• Operate and maintain UTM, CTM, Xenon Arc Weatherometer, UV Weathering Chamber, Thermal Shock Chamber, Cyclic Corrosion Chamber, X-Rite Sphere Spectrophotometer, Melt Flow Index Tester, Impact Tester, and HDT/VST equipment.
• Analyze test data, interpret results, identify abnormal observations, and support failure investigations and corrective actions in coordination with customers, quality teams, and external laboratories.
• Ensure testing activities, records, equipment status, calibration, maintenance, and technical documentation comply with NABL and ISO/IEC 17025 laboratory requirements.
• Support laboratory quality management through calibration coordination, equipment maintenance, document control, sample/test traceability, and review of technical records.
• Provide technical guidance and mentoring to laboratory personnel on test execution, equipment operation, data interpretation, safety, and documentation practices.
• Coordinate with customers, engineering/quality teams, and external laboratories to deliver testing within agreed timelines and requirements.

Validation Engineer at Castor Engineering Pvt. Ltd. (2014-07 – 2016-05)

• Managed clean-room and AHU installation projects from execution through commissioning, coordinating activities against design specifications.
• Verified HVAC installation activities and performed clean-room/AHU validation in accordance with applicable industry requirements.

Trainee Quality Engineer at SL Lumax Limited (2013-03 – 2014-03)

• Conducted inspection of automotive lighting components and supported quality improvement and defect-reduction activities.

Bachelor of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering – Karpagam College of Engineering (2012)