Varun Pokala profile photo 1 on Tal

Varun Pokala

Postgraduate in Automotive Engineering @ Oxford Brookes University | Ex-Project Intern @ Mahindra Last Mile Mobility | Motorsport Powertrain and Aerothermal Engineer |

Oxford

3+ years of work experience

Oxford Universities Motorsport Foundation
Sep 20241 yr 10 mosPresent

Oxford, England, United Kingdom

• Identified suboptimal damping ratio for Elva Courier. Vehicle exhibited poor chassis in cornering. • Selected dampers by calculating per-wheel loads and using mounting ratios from control arm geometry. • Performed precise engine timing and synchronization on Riley engines to ensure optimal ignition and valve operation. • Enabled full race-prep functionality through hands-on restoration across mechanical, structural, and aesthetic domains.
Oxford Brookes Racing
Sep 20241 yr 1 moSep 2025

Oxford, England, United Kingdom

Part of Firewall team and worked on material selection and testing of firewall for Formula Student car
Mahindra Last Mile Mobility
Mar 20244 mosJun 2024

India

• Manual endurance testing of throttle systems lacked repeatability and repeated physical intervention. • Designed Arduino-controlled automated rig to simulate throttle actuation over extended periods. • Built a custom test setup integrating sensors, electric circuits and embedded Arduino logic. • Achieved consistent, repeatable, and hands-free testing cycles, enabling robust endurance validation of throttle mechanisms.
The Garage
Mar 202310 mosDec 2023

India

• Swapped 1.2L Gypsy engine with 1.6L Baleno engine by redrilling mounts to accommodate differing bolt patterns. • Restored key components of Mercedes W123/W124 including engines, interiors, and body kits. • Assisted in Engine rebuild of Skoda Octavia 1.6L TDI with carbon cleaning. • Built cross-functional expertise across engine swaps, restorations, and automotive customization.
Ziegler Aerospace
Jun 20222 mosJul 2022

Hyderabad, Telangana, India

● Studied aircraft aftermarket industries and acquired knowledge of aircraft components. ● Designed Airbus A300 and Boeing 777 components using Catia, AutoCAD, and SolidWorks. ● Proposed and executed cabin modifications, incorporating market trends and innovative ideas. ● Implemented 3D printing of Drone using Ultimaker Cura.

Education

Oxford Brookes University

Master of Science - MS, Automotive Engineering

Oxford Brookes University

20241 yr2025
Mahindra University

Bachelor's Degree

Mahindra University

20204 yrs2024

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Headline

Postgraduate in Automotive Engineering @ Oxford Brookes University | Ex-Project Intern @ Mahindra Last Mile Mobility | Motorsport Powertrain and Aerothermal Engineer |

About

I’m not your classic behind the desk, tweak a spreadsheet kind of engineer. I’m the guy who wants to model it, build it, test it, break it (just a bit), and then fix it better. I like getting my hands dirty just as much as running clean simulations. I’ve worked across powertrain simulation, regenerative braking, battery management, and vehicle dynamics using tools like GT-SUITE, MATLAB, Simulink, and Multisim. But tools are just tools. What excites me is seeing the theory come to life. At the end of the day, I don’t just want to be told how a system works, I want to prove it. I want to feel it. I want to see it do its thing, fail gloriously, and come back with a better version. That’s where the fun is. I’m the engine boy, obsessed with powertrains, gear ratios, and the magic that happens when mechanical and madness meet. I love working on next-gen engine tech, especially sustainable fuels.

Location

Oxford

Work experience

Technical Team Member at Oxford Universities Motorsport Foundation, Sep 2024 - Present · 1 yr 10 mos, Oxford, England, United Kingdom, • Identified suboptimal damping ratio for Elva Courier. Vehicle exhibited poor chassis in cornering. • Selected dampers by calculating per-wheel loads and using mounting ratios from control arm geometry. • Performed precise engine timing and synchronization on Riley engines to ensure optimal ignition and valve operation. • Enabled full race-prep functionality through hands-on restoration across mechanical, structural, and aesthetic domains.

Technical Team Member at Oxford Brookes Racing, Sep 2024 - Sep 2025 · 1 yr 1 mo, Oxford, England, United Kingdom, Part of Firewall team and worked on material selection and testing of firewall for Formula Student car

Project Intern at Mahindra Last Mile Mobility, Mar 2024 - Jun 2024 · 4 mos, India, • Manual endurance testing of throttle systems lacked repeatability and repeated physical intervention. • Designed Arduino-controlled automated rig to simulate throttle actuation over extended periods. • Built a custom test setup integrating sensors, electric circuits and embedded Arduino logic. • Achieved consistent, repeatable, and hands-free testing cycles, enabling robust endurance validation of throttle mechanisms.

Automotive Technician at The Garage, Mar 2023 - Dec 2023 · 10 mos, India, • Swapped 1.2L Gypsy engine with 1.6L Baleno engine by redrilling mounts to accommodate differing bolt patterns. • Restored key components of Mercedes W123/W124 including engines, interiors, and body kits. • Assisted in Engine rebuild of Skoda Octavia 1.6L TDI with carbon cleaning. • Built cross-functional expertise across engine swaps, restorations, and automotive customization.

Student Intern at Ziegler Aerospace, Jun 2022 - Jul 2022 · 2 mos, Hyderabad, Telangana, India, ● Studied aircraft aftermarket industries and acquired knowledge of aircraft components. ● Designed Airbus A300 and Boeing 777 components using Catia, AutoCAD, and SolidWorks. ● Proposed and executed cabin modifications, incorporating market trends and innovative ideas. ● Implemented 3D printing of Drone using Ultimaker Cura.

Education

Master of Science - MS, Automotive Engineering, Oxford Brookes University

Bachelor's Degree, Mahindra University

Varun Pokala - Technical Team Member in Oxford | Tal