Rekha Ramesh

Automotive Software Engineering Leader with 19+ years of experience delivering safety-critical software for Gateway, ADAS, BMS, and Powertrain ECU platforms. Proven expertise in Verification & Validation, end-to-end software delivery, engineering leadership, AUTOSAR, ASPICE, ISO 26262, and program management. Experienced in leading global engineering teams, managing $6M+ program budgets, driving operational excellence, and delivering high-quality software across global automotive programs.

Head of Engineering | Startup Leader at SMIROX - NemiLink (2026-02 – Present)

Freelancing

• Increased product innovation by 30%, resulting in ~$0.25M in new revenue, by leading AI-driven development.
• Driving business development, customer acquisition and strategic growth initiatives.

Senior Program Manager at Mercedes Benz Research & Development India (MBRDI) (2024-09 – 2026-02)

• Led platform software integration and testing for ADAS (L2+/L3), managing a 55+ member engineering team and delivering ASPICE and ISO 26262-compliant software using Agile methodologies
• Managed end-to-end delivery of Platform Software (PSW), SWE.5/SWE.6 work products, Infineon AURIX TC39x software integration, vECU validation, BSW defect management, CI/CD pipelines, software releases, and cross-functional stakeholder management
• Defined the test strategy for SWE.5/SWE.6, implemented test automation and CI/CD validation pipelines, and achieved HIL release sign-off for a next-generation ADAS ECU platform
• Reduced validation costs by €120K through test optimization and Test Target Farm (TTF) consolidation, optimizing 40 HIL test benches and implementing Lean 5S lab standards
• Established KPI-driven governance, integration pipelines, and metrics enhanced integration, achieving 90% first-time quality.
• Defined the GenAI roadmap for SWE.5/SWE.6 automation and led innovation initiatives, securing approval for 3 IPs and 8 Kaizen improvements

Engineering Group Manager at Bosch Global software Technologies (2022-07 – 2024-08)

• Led a 60+ member engineering team delivering Central Gateway ECU software for platforms based on Infineon AURIX TC39Dx, ensuring on-time, high-quality releases for Commercial Trucks.
• Directed three large-scale automotive software programs to achieve ASPICE and ISO 26262 compliance, successfully delivering through SOP
• Managed end-to-end program delivery, including roadmap planning, risk, quality, scope, budget ($6M+), resource planning, and stakeholder management
• Collaborated with global stakeholders across North America, Europe, and APAC to drive software delivery, customer satisfaction, and program success
• KPI-driven governance and process improvements, enhancing engineering productivity, software quality, and operational efficiency
• Built and mentored high-performing engineering teams, fostering technical excellence, collaboration, and continuous improvement

Sr. Systems Manager at Blue Binaries Engineering and Solution Ltd (2021-03 – 2022-06)

The practice head for vehicle EE architecture for design of functional and network architectures while overseeing a technical team in three separate zones (Chennai, Pune, and Bangalore)

• Successfully expanded team from 6 to 40+ engineers, scaling capabilities and delivering multiple OEM projects deliveries on time with high-quality Agile environment
• Managed end-to-end delivery of multiple automotive software programs, ensuring on-time delivery in Agile, ASPICE, and ISO 26262-compliant environments
• Delivered AUTOSAR configuration, integration, and validation of DEM, DCM, NVM, Ea, EeP, and BSW modules for multiple OEM platforms
• Led cross-functional teams, driving resource planning, stakeholder management, and engineering excellence to achieve high-quality software delivery

Solution Architect at KPIT Technologies Limited (2019-11 – 2021-02)

• Led BMS base software development as Solution Architect across multiple regions, analyzing customer requirements for CAN, LIN, Ethernet, and Diagnostics; configuring AUTOSAR modules (COM, LIN, CAN, DEM, DCM, NVM, Ea) got RH850 MCU; establishing standardized processes, guidelines, and best practices to ensure on-time delivery and first-time quality. Follow agile methodologies and ASPICE process
• Implement lessons learnt, User guide manual, testing strategy and defining best practices for project specific
• Develop review checklist for various development stages, configuration, test plan, integration and test reports and stack review

Lead Network Design Engineer at General Motors Technical Center, Bangalore (2008-05 – 2019-10)

• Led release engineering for Global Vehicle Platform ECUs, ensuring on-time delivery, Agile execution, and first-time quality while mentoring 20+ engineers
• Designed vehicle network architectures (CAN, LIN, Ethernet, Diagnostics) and developed AUTOSAR ECUC configurations using PREEvision for multiple ECU platforms
• Developed LIN communication stack and introduced automated design consistency checks, improving design quality and reducing development effort
• Performed UDS (ISO 14229), GMW14241, GMW3110, FIU, DID/PID, and diagnostic protocol validation, including on-vehicle ECU testing and test automation
• Established remote North America test bench infrastructure, reducing validation costs and improving global engineering collaboration
• Developed engineering process documentation, best practices, and mentored graduate engineers to improve productivity and technical competency

Design Engineer at Hindustan Aeronautical Limited (2006-07 – 2008-04)

• Managed the complete embedded software development lifecycle for MCU-based aerospace systems, from requirements to field validation
• Developed software design, SRS, and MISRA-compliant embedded software using IBM Rational Rose
• Performed software verification, static/dynamic analysis, debugging, and acceptance testing (ATP)
• Executed system integration and aircraft field testing, ensuring quality and reliability

BE in Electronics & Communication – Malnad college of Engineering, Hassan