Siddharth Ravichandran

As a Lead Data Scientist at the Energy and Electrification Solutions (E + ES) Division of Caterpillar Inc, I develop digital tools, apps and products in the areas of electrification, battery degradation modelling, battery management, energy management for electrified worksites, etc. for Cat's expanding suite of Battery Electric Machines. I work closely with specialists from a wide range of disciplines such as Battery science, Engineering, Pricing and Business Development to develop and optimise Cat's offerings in batteries-as-a-service (BaaS) and Charging as a Service (CaaS) that enable customers outline their end-to-end site electrification journey, plan their battery machines and chargers and optimise their Total Cost of Ownership.

As a Data Scientist at the Civil Aerospace Digital Operations team I lead data-driven investigations with teams across the business. Some examples include analysing and modelling engine safety, operational and service issues using EHM and image data, building physics-informed ML models to predict engine performance using component manufacturing records and improving engine fleet planning. I am Proficient in sprint planning, EDA and statistical analysis, extracting insights using ML models and explainable AI, MLOps, and presenting and explaining my findings to the customer teams. I'm the Product Owner for a large project to onboard various on-prem EHM and operational datasets to the cloud to enable users across the business to leverage the advantages of cloud analytics tools as part of a company-wide push to build a unified cloud Data Platform. My experience has taught me that keeping the users at the heart of what you're building is the most important, and the biggest business benefit is to be unlocked by enabling the Data Scientist within each of the users with the right data and appropriate tools for their persona.

The UltraFan® is the biggest architectural step-change for Civil Large Jet Engines in a generation and is a core part of Rolls-Royce's thrust to deliver world class technology and pioneer the power that matters. As a Sub-System Integrator in the Fans Sub-System team for the UltraFan® demonstrator, I was involved in facilitating the various components and interfaces that comprise the sub-system to be taken through Rolls-Royce's rigorous gated Design Approval process to support the Project timescales. This was a multi-disciplinary role that covered aspects of component and system design, design for tooling and assembly, requirements and system engineering and technical PM.

As Design Lead for Trent 1000 Seal Segments, I was accountable for the Technical aspects of Delivery, Quality and Safety of Design schemes. I led team of Designers while interfacing with the wider Sub-System and Project teams as well as Manufacturing Engineers and External Suppliers. My focus in this role was on emerging materials and manufacturing techniques such as Additive Layer Manufacturing (ALM). I was a recognised expert within Turbines on ALM, as part of which I have written several Design Guides and Stress Method documents. My work in this led to the publication of a journal paper and a patent.

Professional Excellence Graduate Engineer in a program consisting of six different intensive placements in core areas of the Gas Turbine Supply Chain Organisation in Rolls-Royce's Civil Aviation Business Area. The Graduate Program gave me a valuable opportunity to involve myself first-hand in various technical areas on live projects before choosing a permanent position based on my interests and desired career path. It was also a valuable insight into how the different areas in a global company work together to produce something as intricate and complex as a Jet Engine.

At the Advanced Technology Operations (ATO) Aerodynamics Group in GE Wind Energy, I was involved in Using Wind Tunnel and Simulation results to create an Airfoil Library, and processing field test data from a GE-ECN Test Wind Park. This internship gave me a valuable insight into how Aerodynamics is translated from theory into technology, as well as an opportunity to get hands-on experience with test and measurement.

During the final year internship for my undergraduate studies at Vestas R&D's main centre in India, I was part of two different technical teams for half a year each, working on different aspects of the Wind Turbine. This was my first professional experience in a large multi-national company, and was instrumental in setting my sights towards moving abroad to pursue higher studies and a career in Engineering. At the Turbine Verification Department, I used the latest IEC measurement standards to code and develop an automated algorithm for correcting Nacelle Power Curves using a calculated Nacelle Transfer Function. At the Pitch and Yaw group within the Mechanical Systems Department I worked on the fatigue and failure testing of Yaw Gearboxes using a specially designed test rig.

Responsible for holding viewing sessions for students and Astronomy related events during the University's annual Technical Festival, Apogee. I was involved in importing a Celestron telescope (C11-SGT) for this purpose in 2006-2007 with alumni and University funds.

I attended the Delft University Technology to obtain a Masters degree in Aerospace Engineering from one of the top European universities. But the experience gave me more than just a degree - I was able to take part in various aspects of student life such as cultural exchange and being a part of a sports association, as well as travel and learn a new language. My specialisation was in Aerodynamics, and my Master Thesis was in the area of experimental Flow Control using Plasma Actuators.

I picked up various technical and personal interests over the course of my study at BITS Pilani, one of the most renowned universities in India. The former include MEMS and Nanotechnology, Astronomy and Theoretical Physics. This exposed and enabled me to take part in several research-oriented summer internships at various renowned institutes across India. Personal interests that I developed include quizzing, campus journalism and astronomy.