Denny Nickolas profile photo 1 on Tal

Denny Nickolas

Automotive Embedded Systems & Power-train Software Leader | Release & Validation Expert

Chennai

11+ years of work experience

KPIT
Apr 20233 yrs 7 mosPresent

Hybrid

▸Lead end-to-end software configuration and release management for fuel and electric commercial vehicle programs, governing baselines, change control, and multi-variant releases; consistently deliver on-time releases with 98% schedule adherence while ensuring full compliance with OEM quality standards. ▸Manage and mentor cross-functional teams spanning requirements, diagnostics, validation, and integration, establishing structured planning, sprint tracking, and issue triage mechanisms; improve overall delivery efficiency by 20% and significantly reduce turnaround time for critical defects. ▸Drive enterprise-wide adoption of ALM/PLM tools (Siemens Polarion, Teamcenter, dSPACE Synect) to strengthen traceability from requirements to release; enhance configuration governance and visibility, resulting in 30% reduction in release cycle time and audit readiness improvement. ▸Implement robust release governance frameworks and validation strategies, including automated checks, coverage tracking, and defect triaging; reduce defect leakage into production by 25% and improve first-time-right quality across multiple software releases.
Alexander Dennis
Jul 20244 mosOct 2024

Larbert

▸Managed offshore coordination, issue resolution, and project scoping. ▸Contributed to commercial vehicle software development and release.
KPIT
Apr 20194 yrsMar 2023

Chennai

▸Lead model-based development transformation initiatives, converting LogiCad models into standardized Simulink architectures; improve model scalability, re-usability, and testability, accelerating development timelines by 20% while ensuring alignment with system requirements. ▸Perform deep-dive root cause analysis and advanced debugging across embedded systems, CAN communication (J1939), and control logic; resolve high-severity issues and reduce recurring defects by 30%, strengthening system robustness and reliability.
KPIT
Oct 20171 yr 6 mosMar 2019

Chennai

Develop and validate auto-generated embedded software (fixed and floating point) using MATLAB/Simulink, ensuring compliance with MCDC and boundary coverage requirements through BTC Embedded Tester; consistently achieve 100% coverage benchmarks for safety-critical modules.
VNS Automation Solutions PVT. LTD.
Aug 20122 yrs 4 mosNov 2014

Greater Chennai Area

▸Developed embedded software solutions for automotive control systems, contributing to reliable module performance and supporting on-time delivery of multiple project milestones. ▸ Designed and implemented embedded C code for real-time applications, improving execution efficiency and ensuring adherence to defined system specifications and coding standards. ▸Supported system-level testing and validation activities, identifying and resolving defects early, which helped reduce downstream integration issues by 20%. ▸Collaborated with cross-functional teams during integration phases, enabling seamless interaction between hardware and software components and improving system stability. ▸Conducted debugging and root cause analysis of embedded systems issues, accelerating defect resolution cycles and enhancing overall product reliability. ▸Assisted in test case execution and verification processes, ensuring compliance with functional requirements and contributing to improved test coverage and quality outcomes.

Denny’s AI Stack

gemini
gemini

Education

Heriot-Watt University

Masters in Science, Embedded Systems Engineering

Heriot-Watt University

20092 yrs2011
Edinburgh Napier University

Masters in Science Diploma, Business Management

Edinburgh Napier University

20101 yr2011

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Headline

Automotive Embedded Systems & Power-train Software Leader | Release & Validation Expert

About

Automotive embedded systems professional with 13+ years of experience delivering high-performance power-train software for fuel and electric commercial vehicles. Specialized in model-based development, embedded C, diagnostics (J1939), and end-to-end release management across complex automotive programs. Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams, optimize software quality through rigorous validation (MCDC, boundary testing), and ensure compliance with industry standards. Adept at leveraging tools such as MATLAB/Simulink, Polarion, Teamcenter, and dSPACE to drive scalable, reliable solutions. Recognized for resolving critical issues, enhancing development efficiency, and consistently delivering robust, production-ready software.

Location

Chennai

AI stack

gemini

Work experience

Associate Technical Project Manager at KPIT, Apr 2023 - Present · 3 yrs 7 mos, Hybrid, ▸Lead end-to-end software configuration and release management for fuel and electric commercial vehicle programs, governing baselines, change control, and multi-variant releases; consistently deliver on-time releases with 98% schedule adherence while ensuring full compliance with OEM quality standards. ▸Manage and mentor cross-functional teams spanning requirements, diagnostics, validation, and integration, establishing structured planning, sprint tracking, and issue triage mechanisms; improve overall delivery efficiency by 20% and significantly reduce turnaround time for critical defects. ▸Drive enterprise-wide adoption of ALM/PLM tools (Siemens Polarion, Teamcenter, dSPACE Synect) to strengthen traceability from requirements to release; enhance configuration governance and visibility, resulting in 30% reduction in release cycle time and audit readiness improvement. ▸Implement robust release governance frameworks and validation strategies, including automated checks, coverage tracking, and defect triaging; reduce defect leakage into production by 25% and improve first-time-right quality across multiple software releases.

Onsite Engineer at Alexander Dennis, Jul 2024 - Oct 2024 · 4 mos, Larbert, ▸Managed offshore coordination, issue resolution, and project scoping. ▸Contributed to commercial vehicle software development and release.

Technical Lead at KPIT, Apr 2019 - Mar 2023 · 4 yrs, Chennai, ▸Lead model-based development transformation initiatives, converting LogiCad models into standardized Simulink architectures; improve model scalability, re-usability, and testability, accelerating development timelines by 20% while ensuring alignment with system requirements. ▸Perform deep-dive root cause analysis and advanced debugging across embedded systems, CAN communication (J1939), and control logic; resolve high-severity issues and reduce recurring defects by 30%, strengthening system robustness and reliability.

Senior Software Engineer at KPIT, Oct 2017 - Mar 2019 · 1 yr 6 mos, Chennai, Develop and validate auto-generated embedded software (fixed and floating point) using MATLAB/Simulink, ensuring compliance with MCDC and boundary coverage requirements through BTC Embedded Tester; consistently achieve 100% coverage benchmarks for safety-critical modules.

Embedded Engineer at VNS Automation Solutions PVT. LTD., Aug 2012 - Nov 2014 · 2 yrs 4 mos, Greater Chennai Area, ▸Developed embedded software solutions for automotive control systems, contributing to reliable module performance and supporting on-time delivery of multiple project milestones. ▸ Designed and implemented embedded C code for real-time applications, improving execution efficiency and ensuring adherence to defined system specifications and coding standards. ▸Supported system-level testing and validation activities, identifying and resolving defects early, which helped reduce downstream integration issues by 20%. ▸Collaborated with cross-functional teams during integration phases, enabling seamless interaction between hardware and software components and improving system stability. ▸Conducted debugging and root cause analysis of embedded systems issues, accelerating defect resolution cycles and enhancing overall product reliability. ▸Assisted in test case execution and verification processes, ensuring compliance with functional requirements and contributing to improved test coverage and quality outcomes.

Education

Masters in Science, Embedded Systems Engineering, Heriot-Watt University

Masters in Science Diploma, Business Management, Edinburgh Napier University

Denny Nickolas - Associate Technical Project Manager in Chennai | Tal