Priyank Nandu
About Priyank Nandu
Priyank Nandu is a Composite Manufacturing Engineer at Joby Aviation, with a background in vehicle dynamics and simulation. He has held various engineering roles and has published vehicle models while contributing to tire development and control algorithms.
Current Role at Joby Aviation
Priyank Nandu serves as a Composite Manufacturing Engineer at Joby Aviation since 2020. In this role, he focuses on the development and optimization of composite materials and manufacturing processes. His work is essential in advancing Joby Aviation's goals in the electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft sector. He collaborates with various engineering teams to ensure that the composite components meet performance and safety standards.
Previous Experience in Engineering
Prior to his current position, Priyank Nandu worked at Altair as a Vehicle Dynamics and Simulation Engineer from 2018 to 2020. He generated tire development targets based on virtual assessments, which played a critical role in the development of model-specific tires. He also held roles at UTA Racing, where he served as Chief Engineer and Ergonomics and Chassis Deputy Lead, contributing to vehicle design and performance optimization.
Education and Academic Background
Priyank Nandu earned a Master of Science (MS) in Mechanical Engineering from The University of Texas at Arlington, completing his studies from 2016 to 2018. He also holds a Bachelor of Engineering (B.E.) in Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology from the University of Mumbai, where he studied from 2011 to 2015. His educational background provides a strong foundation in engineering principles and practices.
Research and Teaching Experience
During his time at The University of Texas at Arlington, Priyank Nandu worked as a Graduate Research and Teaching Assistant from 2017 to 2018. In this role, he contributed to academic research and supported undergraduate students in their learning. His experience in academia complements his engineering expertise and enhances his ability to communicate complex concepts effectively.
Technical Skills and Contributions
Priyank Nandu has developed control algorithms and optimized active chassis features using MATLAB/Simulink, verifying them through co-simulation. He has also recommended spring and damper rates to enhance vehicle performance. His ability to generate and optimize mechanical designs considers factors such as size, performance, weight, durability, and cost, demonstrating his comprehensive engineering skill set.