The Journey Continues....

Two Decades and Counting

?I have worked for Visteon for over two decades. When I look back, I have indeed come a long way -- from a village in Tamil Nadu (India) to a software leader, supporting teams across the region in Visteon.

Humble beginnings

As a son of a farmer from a remote village in Tamil Nadu, I had very limited exposure to English during my education. My part-time job was to share my mother's workload of cleaning the cattle field which entailed getting water from a nearby well and transporting it to the cattle and supporting my father in farming. My world was confined to my home, school, farm and the village market.

The support and encouragement from my parents and the hardship I faced in my childhood were shaping me with a strong determination to succeed in life. I became the first graduate in my village, bringing my parents joy and pride. My parents were determined to provide me with the education I wanted; I went on to complete my masters in electronics.

Rejecting the offer

In 1998, I had the opportunity to attend an interview with Visteon in Chennai. It was a great and an enlightening experience for a young village lad like me.

I cleared the various assessment process and finally received an offer letter along with shocking news: Visteon wanted me to travel to the United States for training in 15 days! Shocked, because, at a time when I was overwhelmed to even step out of my village to Chennai, I was being asked to travel all the way to the US, and I did not even have a passport.

Because of that, I told my parents that I was not going to join Visteon. However, my father advised me to express my concerns before submitting my decision. The meeting with my perspective manager at Visteon is still green in my memory. He spent considerable time removing my apprehensions and even asked his driver to take me to the passport office to submit the application.

Overcoming the language barrier

I joined Visteon in July 1998, with a mix of awe and trepidation. That is when I met the first Software Engineering team - there were seven of us who were all new. Though I started settling in with the team, my level of English proficiency didn't help me come out of my discomfiture. I was fortunate to have a considerate manager and a helpful project mate who understood the challenges I was struggling to overcome.

Epitomizing Visteon’s behavior, they took care of me in every possible way. The entire training had been a great learning experience; be it on leadership, determination to make things happen, how to interact with people, or consideration for coworkers, besides the technical aspects.

Fast Forward to today

Over the last 20 years, Visteon continuously provided me with stretch opportunities before I become comfortable with any role, opportunities include technical leadership, people leadership, global assignments, deputation to sister companies, new organizations to realize the vision of the company. I am proud to say that I lead the global software team with 1000+ members that helped drive Visteon’s vision as a technology leader in the mobility industry.

Before I ask you to view our open positions and apply, I must tell you what we do here and why these roles should excite you.

SmartCore? cockpit domain controller

SmartCore? is a solution designed to enable global automakers to deliver a more connected, personalized and safe driving experience.????

The modern intelligent cockpit experience includes traditional cluster information display, safety inputs (internal and external camera feeds), as well as Android Automotive infotainment ranging from maps and parking to charging locations along with enjoyable entertainment experiences for passenger displays.?

Visteon’s fourth-generation SmartCore? cockpit domain controller brings all of this information together seamlessly across multiple displays in the cockpit, and can deliver feature upgrades wirelessly over-the-air, eliminating the need to replace hardware to further extend the platform’s lifecycle.

Reconfigurable instrument clusters

I can proudly say, Visteon’s cockpit solution provides the punch when it comes to the technology in instrument clusters. Some of the latest 12.3-inch customizable instrument cluster displays deliver more than just speed and RPM. With the very latest Ethernet features, ASPICE Level 3 and security compliance, the clusters incorporate next-level navigation with high-definition maps, ADAS visualization features and in-vehicle infotainment elements with music and album art. They support driver monitoring systems and software upgradeability – allowing the potential for future model year updates.

HMI and graphics capability development

The automotive industry is adopting consumer electronics trends. We are already seeing displays that look more like the iPad and tablets. OEMs ask for enhanced image quality with increased resolution.

Therefore, graphics and imaging are core to what Visteon has to offer and differentiate us in the industry. We are on the cusp of a big change in the auto industry with autonomous cars, while HMI is moving to sensory and environmental perception. We have a dedicated User Experience center of competence (CoC) – the team that powers the graphics for our products in collaboration with the PD and design teams.

Technology for the Two-wheelers

We are also making waves in the two-wheeler space with our innovative cluster and display technology. Our technology equips riders with voice-powered access, connected apps and over-the-air software download capabilities—based on our Android-based SmartCore? technology platform, keeping them safe and informed while on the road.

Electrification

Our digital cockpit solutions are already on several battery-electric and hybrid cars today. We have made tremendous progress with our electrification business. Starting with the electric Hummer, we have a busy launch cadence with these OEMs leading all the way up to 2024.?

Our BMS technology offers best-in-class performance with respect to cell measurement accuracy, reliability and safety. The wireless capability eliminates the need for complex and costly wiring harnesses which also improves safety as there are connections for high current flow. In addition, it simplifies the assembly of battery packs with fewer connectors to attach, also improving reliability and reducing cost.?For these reasons, we believe that over time most OEMs will make the switch to wireless BMS.

Our goal in electrification is to build a broad base of customers with BMS, then extend into power electronics solutions.?

And the journey continues

It is amazing to see how this organization continuously enriches the lives of so many people like an Oyster nurturing a pearl. I am proud to share that Visteon provides equal opportunity for everyone to contribute, develop and succeed.

The products/ technologies that I have mentioned here are only the tip of the iceberg. My colleagues Rahul Singh, Karthik Shanmugam, Gopal, Shan and Mohan are building other elements of the future of mobility.

Have a look at our careers page to learn more.

If you have questions, you can directly message me, our team is growing and you could be part of it!