---
title: "Karthikaa Kothandapani - Senior Associate Engineer in Bengaluru | Tal"
description: "Meet Karthikaa Kothandapani, Building AI-Driven Quality & Automation Systems | Agentic AI @ Ascendion | M.Tech AI/ML – BITS Pilani | Build Bold. Lead Loud. Stay Human. based in Bengaluru."
image: "https://tal.club/meet/karthikaa-kothandapani/share-image"
---

# Karthikaa Kothandapani on Tal

## Headline

Building AI\-Driven Quality & Automation Systems \| Agentic AI @ Ascendion \| M\.Tech AI/ML – BITS Pilani \| Build Bold\. Lead Loud\. Stay Human\.

## About

I’m an AI/ML\-focused Quality Engineering Lead at Ascendion, building AI\-driven, scalable quality and automation systems for large\-scale B2B and B2C platforms, including GCash\. My work sits at the intersection of artificial intelligence, automation engineering, and quality strategy, where I focus on transforming traditional workflows into intelligent, data\-driven systems\. I currently lead 18 squads \(30\+ engineers\) across multiple tribes, designing scalable test architectures, optimizing execution efficiency, and enabling predictive and adaptive quality practices across cross\-functional teams\. I balance hands\-on engineering with technical leadership, ensuring that automation, APIs and quality metrics evolve together as a unified system\. My technical foundation includes Java, Python, Selenium, TestNG, API automation, Postman with a growing focus on AI\-assisted testing, intelligent test orchestration, and data\-driven quality analytics\. I actively work on AI\-based frameworks that combine automation with adaptability, resilience, and learning\-based decision making\. I’m currently pursuing an M\.Tech in Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning from BITS Pilani, deepening my expertise in machine learning, intelligent systems, and predictive quality engineering\. This academic journey complements my industry experience, enabling me to apply AI concepts directly to real\-world engineering challenges\. Beyond engineering, I previously served as President of the Entrepreneurship Development Cell \(2023–2024\), leading innovation\-driven initiatives under Startup India and Smart India Hackathon, and mentoring teams to convert ideas into scalable, impact\-driven solutions\. My journey includes winning the Best Mini Project Award \(MICORO 2022\), securing AIR 20 in the SAE Aero Design Challenge, authoring a published book, and contributing to projects that blend AI, automation, and system thinking\.

## Location

Bengaluru

## Work experience

Senior Associate Engineer at Ascendion, Nov 2025 \- Present · 6 mos, Hybrid

Associate Engineer at Ascendion, Nov 2024 \- Nov 2025 · 1 yr 1 mo, On\-site, Leading Testing as a Service \(TaaS\) delivery for the GCash platform, architecting and scaling quality operations across 18 squads \(30\+ engineers\) spanning B2B and B2C tribes, with a focus on intelligent, data\-driven quality systems\. Spearheading cross\-team defect governance and quality analytics in collaboration with client QA and development teams, contributing to reduction in release defects and faster sprint readiness through structured insights and continuous feedback loops\. Implementing Generative AI–assisted testing capabilities, including intelligent test data generation and defect trend prediction, to improve test coverage, execution efficiency, and decision\-making across test cycles\. Collaborating closely with Philippines onshore counterparts to align quality engineering deliverables with Agile sprint goals, release timelines, and business priorities, ensuring consistency across distributed teams\. Actively mentoring and upskilling QA engineers on modern Quality Engineering practices, automation frameworks, AI\-assisted testing concepts, and quality metrics tracking to foster a high\-performance, future\-ready QE culture\.

Data Science Intern at Shiash Info Solutions Private Limited, Jul 2024 \- Oct 2024 · 4 mos, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, Applied Python \(Pandas, NumPy, Scikit\-learn\) for data preprocessing, visualization, and predictive model design\. Built data\-driven dashboards and performed exploratory data analysis for real\-world datasets\. Learned to integrate data analytics into QA metrics and performance reporting\.

Trainee \- SAP Sergeant at KaarTech, Jun 2024 \- Oct 2024 · 5 mos, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, Underwent structured training on SAP modules, automation integration, and enterprise data workflows\. Participated in cross\-team projects to simulate SAP\-based test case management and process automation\.

Technical Program Manager at Bharat FIH, May 2024 \- Sep 2024 · 5 mos, Sunguvarchatram, India, Served as Technical Project Manager \(iPhone Project\) in OSS Department — managed 300\+ employees through daily technical datasheet training and KPI monitoring\. Drove failure reduction initiatives for the Google Pixel Project by applying data analytics and root\-cause analysis, lowering failure rates by 20%\. Coordinated between design, manufacturing, and customer teams to optimize product assembly workflows and ensure timely production milestones\. Gained hands\-on exposure in Business Intelligence dashboards, data visualization, and performance tracking for manufacturing processes\.

Graduate Engineering Trainee at Bharat FIH, Apr 2024 \- May 2024 · 2 mos, On\-site

President at E\-Cell REC, May 2023 \- Jun 2024 · 1 yr 2 mos, On\-site, It has been a great adventurous journey of 3 years, where learning and exploring technologies and innovations has become a part of my routine\. I thank each and everyone of the cooperation\. And I thank REC for this great opportunity\!

Secretary at E\-Cell REC, Jan 2021 \- Aug 2023 · 2 yrs 8 mos, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, Apart from curriculum, the Entrepreneurship Development Cell has provided me a wonderful platform to enhance my attitude and my professional skills\. Marketing, Event managing, Public Relations, Accounting, etc, I'm directly connected to Tamilnadu's EDII hub as an E\-Leader\.

## Education

Master of Technology \- MTech, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani

Bachelor of Engineering \- BE, Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering, Rajalakshmi Engineering college

[View the original profile](https://tal.club/meet/karthikaa-kothandapani)

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