# Harish Rao > Enjoy engineering hardware products from concept to launch. Love moonshot projects. Startup Junkie. Served in leadership roles at several start ups at various stages of growth. Factory planning and NPI Location: San Francisco Bay Area, United States Profile: https://flows.cv/harishrao A natural self-starter with a love for technology, innovation and bringing new products to life. Over the last several years I have lead teams to deliver on exciting products in lighting, telecommunications, consumer appliances, and medical devices. With a PhD in Manufacturing Systems design based on Machine learning using genetic algorithms and neural networks, I bring an understanding of the use of AI to solve real-world problems. I bring broad-based experience in Program Management of Mechanical, optical, controls Hardware and Firmware design, NPI and transition of high technology products from concept to high volume manufacturing. Key Examples Include: Robotics, Manufacturing Automation and Micro fulfillment automation. Direct experience working with the World's Largest Retailer to help automate Robotic pick and dispense systems using AI Experience with concept, design, safety and implementation of pick and robopick systems. Experience implementing value added features to improve associate / customer interaction with APSD systems Developing IoT enabled Circadian Lighting fixtures with smart controls for FDA approval - Development of smart sensors for detecting Circadian bio-active wavelengths - Development of Autonomous control system for administering bio-active wavelengths in smart lighting applications -Lead effort to transitions developed products into high volume manufacturing using partners in the US and Asia Core Competency: Strong knowledge and background in setting up operations in a start up environment, leading NPI & innovation activities, establishing scalable processes, product development for FDA Medical device approvals, quality management systems, setting up CM/O services and lean systems. Other areas of expertise: High volume manufacturing, Contract Manufacturing (Far East), operations management, global supply chain management, LED lighting, Semi-conductor manufacturing, manufacturing automation, continuous improvement, process engineering, ERP/MES system implementation and enabling innovation in procurement. Ph.D in Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering experienced in the use of Machine learning algorithms for optimization of Manufacturing Automation and agent based intelligent systems ## Work Experience ### Manager, Technical Program Management @ Cobham Satcom Jan 2023 – Present Team lead for Rapid development of Antenna systems for Military and Commercial deployment. Responsible for driving all key deliverables within the product development process from concept, RTVM, Design Reviews, Product cost, Pilot, Test and project completion. ### Director, MFC Product and Optimization @ Albertsons Companies Jan 2021 – Jan 2023 Microfulfillment selection, design, build, deployment, & continuous optimization. Develop roadmap to realize MFC profitability while supporting full assortment & express delivery. ### Principal Product Team Lead @ ALERT INNOVATION Jan 2019 – Jan 2020 ### Senior Program Manager @ Keurig Green Mountain, Inc. Jan 2017 – Jan 2018 | Burlington MA - Responsible for execution of product development process to launch two new product platforms generating $500M+ in fiscal revenue - Drive deployment of Keurig Agile Product Development Process, using Agile and Rapid Learning Cycle Methodology to enhance Team’s ability to deliver programs to meet or exceed customer expectations while keeping on-cost and schedule - Responsible for interfacing with all outsourced partners for, change and requirements management, throughout the product development phase - Lead and conduct all tactical activities related to the design and manufacture of two new Milk based beverage platforms launching in June-2018 on Amazon and Walmart - Responsible for conducting sprint events, agile rapid learning cycles, and integration events ### VP Product Development & NPI @ CIRCADIAN Light Jan 2015 – Jan 2017 | Boston Lead product development activities for the design of a Circadian LED including the control system and BIG data architecture for non-medical and medical lighting applications. Work with researchers (from Harvard and MIT) with expertise in effect of light on human physiology and translate those requirements in LED product specifications Create autonomous and IoT enabled Circadian lighting fixtures and back end cloud architecture to enable monetization of risk and fatigue in 24x7 industries Create team and expertise needed to manufacture IoT enabled Circadian fixtures in ISO-13485 certified facilities for medical product launch Work with contract manufacturers to create reference designs for the adoption of Circadian Lighting fixtures in general and industrial illumination markets Provide leadership and program management to execute plans to complete production qualification and testing and ramp up production through a network of contract manufacturers ### Commodity Business Head @ Osram Sylvania Jan 2012 – Jan 2015 Lead Supplier Innovation, competitive benchmarking, BOM cost road map development (Lamps/Downlights and other applications) Work with R&D and Marketing to identify key problems that need to be solved to create product differentiation in the marketplace Clearly define innovation objectives for key problems and work with leading LED, IC and component manufacturers to create a pipeline of innovative solutions Support NPI and BOM cost optimization Coordinating & Negotiating Electronic and LED component purchases to support Osram's North American Operations Work with multiple manufacturing plants to coordinate purchases and renegotiation Direct and coordinate with a Global network of internal professionals to achieve strategic goals and price targets Drive Supplier Innovation in key materials for long term performance improvement and cost reduction Supplier contract negotiation & price performance Roadmaps and Benchmarks ### COO @ InnovLite India Pvt Ltd Jan 2009 – Jan 2011 Innovlite is a leading manufacturer of LED fixtures in India. Founded in 2005, Innovlite has been a pioneer in LED lighting and has several thousand fixtures deployed at Fortune 50, Government and Residential installations. Responsible for NPI, manufacturing scale up and business operations Lead team product development and operation teams to achieve revenue targets and maintain product gross margins Support sales and marketing in development of key accounts Support field installation teams to ensure reliable deployment of several thousand light fixtures in Industrial and commercial environments ### Manufacturing Manager @ OSRAM SYLVANIA Jan 2007 – Jan 2010 Facilitate the Siemens Quality Gate Process for New Product Introduction Work with Suppliers to identify key processes and components needed to introduce new products Set up manufacturing line in Monterrey, Mexico to ramp up production of fast growing lighting market Set up Reliability testing facilities for qualification and reliability testing of electronic components and systems Set up warranty handling process with multi-million dollar lighting customers Set up planning and logistics, including product labeling, package design and inventory management ### Technical Project Manager @ CREE Jan 2005 – Jan 2007 Design and implementation of product planning system, operations engineering, back-end die testing Implemented advanced machine learning algorithms for the optimization of wafer releases into die production Optimization algorithms resulted in multi-million dollar savings due the reduction of scrap die ### Manufacturing Operations Director @ Agility Communications Jan 2000 – Jan 2005 Implemented agent-based tool for the real-time reporting and optimization of automated manufacturing facility Lead team to Implement automated testing of tunable lasers ### Technical Manager @ Lucent Technologies/Agere Systems Jan 1998 – Jan 2001 ERP, MES Implementation, Design of MIS, Data center uptime and maintenance, software development for manufacturing support, operations engineering, lean manufacturing support. ## Education ### M. Sc; PhD in Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering University of Calgary ### Exec Ed in OSI Executive Management Cornell Johnson Graduate School of Management ### Business Administration and Management in General Cornell University ### Osram BMI Executive Program Cornell Johnson Graduate School of Management ## Contact & Social - LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/harish-rao-3823592 --- Source: https://flows.cv/harishrao JSON Resume: https://flows.cv/harishrao/resume.json Last updated: 2026-04-05