In our latest Day in the Life podcast, we sat down with Avinash K R, COO of Vyoda Pvt. Ltd., and former Bosch veteran, to uncover the real-world skills and mindsets that every aspiring engineer—student and faculty member alike—should cultivate to thrive in today’s dynamic industry.
1. Career Beginnings: Embrace the Shop Floor
After graduating with a mechanical engineering degree in 1995, Avinash joined Bosch at the height of the Y2K boom. Instead of being siloed, he rotated through every key department—production control, purchasing, quality, and more—learning the inner workings of large-scale manufacturing operations.
Key Takeaway: Hands-on experience beats theory alone. Dive in, get your hands dirty, and understand how the part works, how each process contributes to the final product.
2. Driving Quality: From 85% Rework to First-Pass Success
Early in his career, Avinash was tasked with a small shop producing components for single‑cylinder diesel pumps. There were significant quality issues with the component—85% of parts produced required rework. Over two years, he and his team methodically analyzed fixtures, redesigned components, and streamlined operations, ultimately achieving 100% first-pass yield.
Key Takeaway: Systematic problem solving and data-driven improvements can transform performance. Seek out root causes, collaborate with peers, and measure your impact.
3. Mastering Man‑Management: Beyond Technical Proficiency
Leading a mixed workforce of 72 blue‑collar and 6 white‑collar colleagues, Avinash learned that soft skills and clear rules are just as vital as technical mastery:
- Consistency Matters: Apply the same rules to everyone—no exceptions.
- Guard Professional Boundaries: Avoid personal financial transactions with subordinates.
- Mind Your Language: Words carry weight; never use careless or offensive language on the shop floor.
Key Takeaway: Engineering leadership is part process enforcement, part people care. Faculty can integrate these principles into capstone projects and labs.
4. Global Quality Control: Stakeholder Management in Action
A three‑year stint in Germany exposed Avinash to the challenges of customer quality and intercultural stakeholder management. He discovered that 80% of failures attributed to Bosch were actually issues at the customer’s end. By crafting detailed investigation reports, aligning cross‑functional teams in India, Germany, and Italy, and presenting evidence collaboratively, he not only defended Bosch’s reputation but also improved customer processes.
Key Takeaway: Ego has no place in problem resolution. Encourage students to focus on joint root‑cause analysis rather than blame games.
5. The Evolving Landscape: Why Mechanical Engineers Remain Indispensable
Despite the rise of AI and automation, Avinash argues that mechanical fundamentals are irreplaceable:
- Mundane tasks (drawing retrieval, CNC programming) may be automated, but creative design and innovative solutions—like Vioda’s sand‑resistant solar pump—require human ingenuity.
- Modern products interweave mechanics, electronics, and software. The next generation of engineers must be comfortable at this intersection.
Key Takeaway: Students should complement mechanical core courses with interdisciplinary learning—electronics, programming, and AI applications.
6. Actionable Advice for Students & Educators
- Curriculum Integration: Embed shop‑floor visits, industry internships, and soft‑skills workshops into degree programs.
- Project-Based Learning: Use real‑world case studies (like Avinash’s yield‑improvement initiative) to teach problem‑solving frameworks.
- Mentorship Programs: Pair students with experienced engineers to impart both technical know‑how and people‑management strategies.
Conclusion: Avinash K R’s journey underscores a timeless truth: while technologies evolve, the core competencies of curiosity, hands‑on practice, systematic thinking, and empathetic leadership remain the bedrock of engineering excellence. By adopting these lessons, students and faculty can prepare for a future where mechanical engineering continues to drive innovation on a global scale.
Stay tuned for more insights from industry leaders and executives on the Day in the Life podcast on the IndustryConnect Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCigsmE1ECFcG2Ky10i-QOkA