What made you transition to the automotive sector?

When Aptiv approached me, I researched the automotive industry extensively. Modern vehicles have about 100 million lines of code, compared to a fraction of that a generation ago. Software now drives much of a vehicle's functionality, from exterior and interior features to safety, infotainment, usability, and car controls.

My experience in building, scaling, and leading large product organizations using best-in-class engineering tools and processes is highly relevant to Aptiv as we transform into a software-led product organization.

You started your career in tech in the early 1990s. How did that come about?

I grew up in a Defence township focused on research and development, surrounded by scientists. My progressive parents, like many middle-class families, believed education was key to a successful life. They encouraged my siblings and me to study hard and pursue professional careers.

I excelled in math and science. With India's IT and software industry just emerging, choosing a STEM career seemed natural.

What do you love most about your work at Aptiv?

My team and I tackle challenging problems for global OEMs, working on perception systems, infotainment, interior sensing, and software-defined vehicle architecture. It's gratifying to tell family and friends that specific features in their vehicles, like seat-belt detection algorithms or infotainment systems, were created by my team.

I also appreciate working with a brilliant team of intelligent people who are not just creating excellent software but leading the world in developing it right here in India.

Why is mobility tech the most exciting space for engineers?

Vehicles are rapidly evolving, becoming more like our phones. As they become more intelligent and autonomous, machine learning, cybersecurity, and over-the-air updates are becoming essential.

This leads to challenging and interesting problems in requirements, architecture, design, coding, and testing. The pace and scale of innovation create constant learning and development opportunities for engineers within the same domain.

What makes Aptiv the best place for women engineers?

Aptiv fosters innovation and collaboration, providing excellent infrastructure, great benefits, and inspiring leaders and technologists to mentor you.

The abundance of opportunities to learn and grow, both laterally and in cross-functional roles, offers an intrinsic path to building a long-term career within the organization. Aptiv provides the stability and support needed for career success while allowing continuous skill development.

I encourage people, especially women, to explore this domain and Aptiv as an organization. You can build a successful and fulfilling career here while constantly learning new skills.