Niraj Merchant
About Niraj Merchant
Niraj Merchant is a Mechanical Test Lead for Ground Systems at Zipline, with a background in mechanical engineering and extensive experience in manufacturing roles at Tesla and Applied Materials.
Current Role at Zipline
Niraj Merchant serves as the Mechanical Test Lead for Ground Systems at Zipline. He has held this position since 2022 and is based in South San Francisco, California. In this role, he is responsible for overseeing mechanical testing processes and ensuring the reliability of ground systems used in Zipline's operations.
Previous Experience at Tesla
Niraj Merchant worked at Tesla in various engineering roles from 2018 to 2022. He started as a Manufacturing Equipment Engineer for two years in Fremont, California. He then advanced to the position of Senior Manufacturing Engineer for one year, followed by a role as Manufacturing Engineering Lead for seven months. His experience at Tesla focused on manufacturing processes and equipment optimization.
Experience at Applied Materials
Before joining Tesla, Niraj Merchant was employed at Applied Materials as a Senior Mechanical Engineer from 2012 to 2017. He worked for five years in Santa Clara, California, where he contributed to the development and improvement of mechanical systems within the semiconductor manufacturing industry.
Educational Background
Niraj Merchant earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science from the University of California, Berkeley. He studied there from 2008 to 2012. Prior to this, he completed his International Baccalaureate Diploma at Dhirubhai Ambani International School from 2006 to 2008.
Internship Experience
Niraj Merchant gained early industry experience through internships. He interned at Bosch in 2010 for one month in Bengaluru, India, and later at HATCI in 2011 for three months in Chino, California. These internships provided him with foundational skills in mechanical engineering and exposure to different engineering environments.