Sandeep Somasundaran
Quincy
Summary
Results-driven Industrial Engineering professional with over 12 years in National Sales, Application Engineering, Product Management, and Project Management in industrial automation. Expertise includes sensor technologies, robotics, AGV/AMR systems, and pneumatics. Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and drive scalable automated solutions focused on customer needs and operational efficiency.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
Lead Applications Engineer - Vacuum Conveying
PIAB Inc.
09.2025 - Current
- Lead and supervise a team of Application Engineers, providing technical guidance, mentorship, and performance support.
- Oversee engineering activities related to vacuum conveying systems, ensuring compliance with company standards, quality requirements, and customer specifications.
- Collaborate with sales, product management, R&D, customer support, operations, procurement, logistics, and finance teams to deliver effective customer solutions and support business objectives.
- Design and develop vacuum conveying system solutions that are manufacturable, integratable, cost-effective, and aligned with customer requirements.
- Provide technical application support throughout the sales cycle, including pre-sales consultation, quotation development, order processing, startup assistance, troubleshooting, and post-sales support.
- Prepare and deliver detailed customer quotations, including system configurations, technical specifications, accessories, CAD drawings, and supporting documentation.
- Gather and evaluate application data required for laboratory testing and product validation activities.
- Schedule, coordinate, and conduct laboratory tests and product trials; document results and communicate findings to customers, channel partners, and internal stakeholders.
- Serve as a subject matter expert on vacuum conveying products and related technologies.
- Develop, organize, and deliver technical training programs for internal personnel, channel partners, and customers.
- Create and maintain technical sales support tools, training materials, and application resources.
- Resolve complex technical and customer issues escalated by Application Engineers, customers, and channel partners.
- Provide ongoing technical assistance and application support to customers, distributors, sales personnel, and internal stakeholders.
- Utilize Salesforce and other business software systems to document customer interactions, sales activities, and project information.
- Collect and analyze competitive intelligence and market information to support sales and marketing initiatives.
- Support ISO compliance requirements and maintain adherence to established engineering and operational procedures.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives by implementing best practices, evaluating lessons learned, and optimizing engineering processes and team performance.
- Lead organizational and technological change initiatives while promoting team adaptability, collaboration, and productivity.
- Participate in trade shows, exhibitions, customer demonstrations, and industry events, including booth setup, technical presentations, and product demonstrations.
- Travel to customer sites to perform system assessments, troubleshooting, startup support, technical training, and application evaluations.
- Promote a customer-focused culture by ensuring timely communication, responsive service, and delivery of high-quality technical solutions.
- Exercise independent judgment in prioritizing projects, allocating resources, resolving conflicts, and supporting strategic business objectives.
- Perform additional duties and special projects as assigned.
Senior Warehouse Design Manager (Global Solutions and Greenfield Projects)
Balyo
Chicago
10.2024 - 04.2025
- Provided thought leadership and creative alternatives during solution development, enhancing Sales' ability to deliver a superior value proposition for customers.
- Read and understand Descriptions of Operations provided by the Sales team as well as all customer-provided technical specifications; seek appropriate engineering or R&D analysis of customer-provided specifications when required.
- RFI documents and assess the technical feasibility and technical issues.
- Visited customer sites during the sales process for technical analysis and surveys to validate proposed solutions.
- Provide in-depth data analysis, parsing, and simplification for product flows and complex throughputs.
- Propose technical solutions and associated proposed performance, including robot types, and quantities validated through simulation.
- Prepare accurate drawings, descriptions of operations of our automated solutions, the scope of work, document and include clarifications and exceptions to customer technical specifications on Balyo proposals and other documentation as required to produce Balyo proposals.
- Analyze the Customer Option demands from our OEM partners for the Americas markets, provide CO quotations.
- Prepare thorough cost estimates, utilizing E-Budget and other Balyo tools as required.
- Prepare simulations and be accountable for their completeness and ensure that each simulation accurately reflects the proposed solution, and is included in all proposals and offers where a simulation was completed.
- Complete accountability for all elements of PoCs that are assigned, with responsibility for the complete process including preparation and execution, arranging shipment of robot(s), mapping, circuit, startup, operation, breakdown and return.
- Provide thought leadership and creative solution designs, with primary responsibility within the department for greenfield site opportunities, and for assisting other SEs with opportunities that require or include other peripheral equipment, software, and/or where top-level logistic-flows analysis and design creation are required.
- Collaborate with clients as required by Sales, according to BALYO process, to collect comprehensive information about client needs and site conditions, ensuring the proposed solution meets client expectations and operational needs.
- Assist in identifying necessary modifications to ensure proposed BALYO solutions meet all client requirements.
- Developed precise benchmark digital twin/simulation of proposed solutions, defining customer requirements and facilitating integration for commissioning.
- Verify that proposed solutions align with client specifications and operational needs, ensuring the correct BALYO and peripheral products and features are selected to guarantee client satisfaction.
- Develop and nurture relationships with key market players for rack, conveyor, AMR, contouring, pallet rental, and other common peripheral suppliers.
- Work closely with both BALYO Marketing and Purchasing to set up and continuously improve BALYO's processes for selecting and working with peripheral suppliers to support the needs of the Sales cycle.
- Collaborate with other SEs to analyze the digital twin and client feedback to identify potential features or enhancements that could improve the solution and address any gaps or additional needs.
- Provide cross-functional Collaboration with BALYO R&D, Delivery and Service Teams to communicate client requirements and ensure that the solution is developed and delivered as per the defined specifications.
- Complete accountability for all elements of Proof of Concepts (PoC's) that are assigned, with responsibility for the complete process including preparation and execution, arranging shipment of robot(s), mapping, circuit, startup, operation, breakdown and return.
- Contributing to the Marketing and Communication initiatives (events, trade shows, digital...) in the Territory.
- Regular collaboration with the Americas and global Sales team and the Chief Sales Officer.
- Collaboration with BALYO Marketing to articulate and document industry/sector and client-specific Use Cases, which can be exploited to aid in Sales and vertical marketing.
- Led cross-functional teams in developing innovative design strategies, ensuring alignment with project objectives and client expectations.
- Collaborated with stakeholders to define project requirements and objectives.
- Oversaw design reviews, ensuring alignment with brand standards and goals.
Market Application Engineer (Product Management)
SICK Inc
Chicago
05.2018 - 10.2024
- Responsible for solving complex applications to customers in Automotive, Electronics, Consumer goods, Heavy Equipment and other industries.
- Support National Product Management resources in identifying and analyzing technology trends/developments and customer industry needs.
- Provide Tier 2 level and post-production technical support inclusive of customer, sales, marketing, and other support needs.
- Conduct technical training inclusive of customer, sales, and other training needs.
- Support National Product Management resources with information on new product/extensions/customization ideas & potential and carry out local technical implementation.
- Leverage tools like SICK Ideas to document use case and technical requirements.
- Manage the creation, review, and submittal of technical support documentation updates.
- Collaborate with Sales and National Product Management resources as a joint selling team.
- Use the CRM system to document Value Creation Path engagement activities to ensure visibility to all joint selling team members.
- Manage the support of National Product Management in the product launch process to assure the successful introduction of new products into the sales channel.
- Manage the design, development, and construction of demonstration equipment to support activities.
- Manage the support of National Product Management resources in the positioning of the broader SICK, Inc Solution inclusive of Serial Products, Systems, and Services.
- Provide Technical support on IO-Link, SOPAS, AppSpace, Safety Designer, and other protocols/software platforms.
- Technical support in sensor integration, Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) programming, Distributed Control System (DCS) & Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition (SCADA) programming, networking, database management, Asset Management System (AMS) & Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) integration, and cyber security.
- Manage Industry 4.0 enablement technical support activities.
- Manage Environment of Customer (EoC) technical support activities.
- Chicago, USA
Sales Engineer
Atlas Copco India Limited
Bangalore
05.2016 - 06.2016
- Engineered industrial turnkey solutions using Atlas Copco products based on customer needs and technical specifications, contributing to revenue growth from previous year.
- Developed customized solutions for key automotive accounts, enhancing client satisfaction and engagement.
- Managed key customer accounts and ensured deliverables were met within the committed timeline.
- Coordinated with project managers, business analysts, and sales leadership to analyze requirements from key accounts for successful execution of turnkey solutions.
- Bangalore, India
Sales-Application Engineer
Keyence India Private Limited
Bangalore
11.2014 - 05.2016
- Consultative, solution-based sales and manufacturing plant visits to solve customers' critical quality control, design, reliability, and research applications.
- Accomplished profitability objectives by 30% increase in sales revenue per quarter in South Indian Market.
- Generated RFQs, developed product proposals, conducted pricing analysis, negotiated terms, and finalized purchase orders.
- Collaborated with supply chain team to enhance schedule adherence and ensure timely product delivery.
- Data analysis through SFA tool with previous data on customers, region, sales, applications and decisions finalized based on these data patterns.
- Implemented continuous improvement initiatives using Lean methods.
- Technologies included Photoelectric Sensors, Fiber optic Sensors, Proximity Sensors, Safety Light Curtain Type4, Pressure Sensors, Multi-Function Sensors, Flow sensors, ultrasonic sensing, infrared temperature sensing, Machine Vision, Microscope.
Product Management, Project Management, National Sales Head
Future Technologies (Roehm Gmbh and AFAG Automation Products)
Bangalore
11.2012 - 11.2014
- Engineered automation solutions for robotics, gantry, and assembly in manufacturing industries, enhancing operational efficiency.
- Led South India team in technical support, focusing on pricing, quotations, and key account management for OEMs and end-users.
- Developed comprehensive technical solutions for customers, including installation planning that adhered to project timelines.
- Directed new product launch activities for all India market, contributing to a 50% increase in sales.
- Oversaw product lead and national head responsibilities for Afag Automation AG in India, driving market presence.
- Executed business development initiatives across India through market analysis and research, resulting in a 40% sales increase.
- Bangalore, India
Product Engineer
Schunk Intec India Private Limited
Bangalore
08.2011 - 08.2012
- Inspected engineering drawings and developed turnkey solutions by analyzing customer designs, specifications, technical requirements, and previous data.
- Tracked sales order progress, supply chain activities, and product delivery, leading to a 20% reduction in lead time and revenue savings from previous year.
- Product Quality confirmation, Solving Technical Queries to Customers all over India.
- Problem solving using data gained from product functionality, warranty, and customer reviews.
- Developed and facilitated internal corrective actions based on monitoring and measurement of internal and external process inputs.
- Technical Training through product and technical presentations to customers.
- Trained and Worked on Pneumatic, Hydraulic and Electrical Grippers, Rotary Modules, Linear Modules, Multi Axis Systems, Industrial Robotic Accessories.
- Bangalore, India
Education
Master of Science - Applied Engineering and Technology Management
Murray State University
Murray, Kentucky, USA12-2017
Bachelor of Engineering - Mechanical Engineering
Visvesvaraya Technological University
Bangalore, Karnataka, India08-2011
Skills
- Vacuum conveying design
- Process Automation
- Automation and robotics
- Sensors and actuators expertise
- AutoCAD
- Solid Work
- CAD software
- SOPAS
- Sensor software
- IO-Link Integration Tools
- Hypermesh
- Manufacturing Partners
- Material Handling
- Storage and Conveyor
- Project management
- Product management
- Supply Chain Management
- Excel
- Word
- Powerpoint
- Project
- Webex
- Technical support
- Problem analysis
- Product Demonstration
- Cross-functional collaboration
- Team leadership
- Effective communication
- Automation and robotics
- Sensors and actuators expertise
- Project management
- Product management
Accomplishments
- Product Strategy from Kellogg's Northwestern School
- Lean Six Sigma Green Belt
- Certified Assembly Automation Expert
- Best Salesman Award from Keyence India Private Limited for overall contribution to the company
Certifications And Awards
- Product Strategy from Kellogg's Northwestern School
- Lean Six Sigma Green Belt
- Certified Assembly Automation Expert
- Best Salesman Award from Keyence India Private Limited for overall contribution to the company
Academic Projects And Experience
- Graduate Assistant (Talent Search and AIMS), Murray State University, 01/01/17, 12/01/17, Maintaining the database of Students and maintenance of Webpage., Newsletter creation through Microsoft Publisher on a monthly Basis.
- Design, Finite element analysis of Space Shuttle mount fixture under gear wheel drive, 12/01/11, 07/01/11, Worked with AutoCAD, ANYSYS and Hyper Mesh.
- ISO 9001 implementation procedures for Mid-Size Firms, 01/01/17, 07/01/17
Volunteer Experience
- TRiO day Volunteer, 04/01/17, Assisted High School students from their Schools to Murray State University and guided them on courses, scholarships, Financial Literacy.
- Chicago Cares, Present, Volunteer at Chicago cares community and helps them with their initiative and services.
Languages
Full Professional
Industries
- Automotive
- Automotive parts suppliers
- Logistics
- Packaging
- Consumer goods
- Storage and Conveyor
- Electronics and Solar
- Heavy Equipment
Activities
I am a part of Chicago Cares Community and like to participate in volunteering activities., I play Cricket, Basketball and Badminton., I like to travel and try to visit one new country every year.
Timeline
Lead Applications Engineer - Vacuum Conveying
PIAB Inc.
09.2025 - Current
Senior Warehouse Design Manager (Global Solutions and Greenfield Projects)
Balyo
10.2024 - 04.2025
Market Application Engineer (Product Management)
SICK Inc
05.2018 - 10.2024
Sales Engineer
Atlas Copco India Limited
05.2016 - 06.2016
Sales-Application Engineer
Keyence India Private Limited
11.2014 - 05.2016
Product Management, Project Management, National Sales Head
Future Technologies (Roehm Gmbh and AFAG Automation Products)
11.2012 - 11.2014
Product Engineer
Schunk Intec India Private Limited
08.2011 - 08.2012
Master of Science - Applied Engineering and Technology Management
Murray State University
Bachelor of Engineering - Mechanical Engineering
Visvesvaraya Technological University