Zafar H.
Mechanical Engineering | Simulation-Driven Design | CAD • CAE • Validation
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About
I am a mechanical engineering and product development consultant with 20+ years of experience across R&D, simulation-driven design, CAE, structural analysis, durability, crashworthiness and engineering validation.
I help companies turn engineering concepts and real-world requirements into analyzable, manufacturable and validated product designs.
My work can span the engineering lifecycle:
• Engineering problem definition and load-case development
• Concept and mechanical design development
• 3D CAD and FE model development
• Structural, nonlinear, durability and crash/impact simulation
• Simulation-test correlation and model validation
• Design iteration and performance improvement
• Engineering drawings, GD&T and manufacturing considerations
• DFM/DFA and design-for-validation thinking
• Engineering data analysis and evidence-based design decisions
My CAE experience includes LS-DYNA, Radioss/OpenRadioss, Abaqus, ANSYS and HyperMesh, supported by Python/MATLAB-based engineering data analysis.
I have worked across automotive, agricultural machinery, industrial engineering and research environments, including R&D leadership at Mahindra & Mahindra and advanced engineering research at IIT Delhi.
A particular strength of my work is connecting real-world usage and engineering requirements to models, simulation and validation rather than treating CAD or CAE as isolated activities.
For projects involving mechanical product development, structural analysis, simulation-driven design, reverse engineering, durability, crash/impact, validation or engineering problem solving, I bring both hands-on technical execution and senior-level engineering judgment.
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I help companies turn engineering concepts and real-world requirements into analyzable, manufacturable and validated product designs.
My work can span the engineering lifecycle:
• Engineering problem definition and load-case development
• Concept and mechanical design development
• 3D CAD and FE model development
• Structural, nonlinear, durability and crash/impact simulation
• Simulation-test correlation and model validation
• Design iteration and performance improvement
• Engineering drawings, GD&T and manufacturing considerations
• DFM/DFA and design-for-validation thinking
• Engineering data analysis and evidence-based design decisions
My CAE experience includes LS-DYNA, Radioss/OpenRadioss, Abaqus, ANSYS and HyperMesh, supported by Python/MATLAB-based engineering data analysis.
I have worked across automotive, agricultural machinery, industrial engineering and research environments, including R&D leadership at Mahindra & Mahindra and advanced engineering research at IIT Delhi.
A particular strength of my work is connecting real-world usage and engineering requirements to models, simulation and validation rather than treating CAD or CAE as isolated activities.
For projects involving mechanical product development, structural analysis, simulation-driven design, reverse engineering, durability, crash/impact, validation or engineering problem solving, I bring both hands-on technical execution and senior-level engineering judgment.
Service offers
Experience
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Principal Engineering Consultant | Simulation-Driven Product Development & Validation
Independent Consulting Practice · Self-employed
Aug 2025 –
Present
1 yrs 2 mos
New Delhi, Delhi, India
I advise engineering teams on simulation-driven product development, connecting real-world usage, engineering requirements, simulation and validation to improve engineering decisions.
Key areas of consulting:
• Architecting Real-World Usage Profiles (RWUP), engineering load cases and Design Verification & Validation (DVP/DV&P) frameworks for mechanical and off-highway products.
• Developing practical CAE strategies and engineering workflows covering FE/MBD analysis, simulation standards, technical reviews and engineering documentation.
• Connecting field observations, service-load information, prototype/test data and failure information with engineering requirements, load cases, validation plans and design improvements.
• Helping engineering teams move from prototype-driven development toward structured, simulation-led product development.
• Advising on product robustness, reliability, validation strategy and engineering capability development.
Recent engagement: Architected a Phase-1 simulation-driven validation framework for an agricultural machinery startup, including RWUP, DVP, CAE reporting standards, simulation SOPs, document control and CAE governance. -
Principal Project Scientist
Indian Institute of Technology Delhi · Contract
Dec 2020 –
Jul 2025
4 yrs 7 mos
New Delhi, DL, India
Led advanced research programs in crash biomechanics, human-body modelling and high-fidelity finite element simulation for automotive and defense applications.
• Led development of IITDHBM, an indigenous Finite Element Human Body Model tailored to Indian anthropometry for impact and blast injury prediction.
• Led a 10+ member interdisciplinary research team, establishing modelling workflows, simulation methodologies and validation processes for high-fidelity computational analysis.
• Designed and executed validation strategies using Post-Mortem Human Subject (PMHS) experimental data, including simulation–test correlation and model assessment.
• Developed morphing and personalization methodologies to represent variations in anthropometry and loading conditions.
• Directed development of an Indian hatchback vehicle FE model using 3D scanning and geometry-reconstruction methodologies for occupant and pedestrian crash-safety research.
• Established structured simulation and quality-assurance workflows for research deliverables, including model development, validation and technical documentation.
Publication: Development and validation of IITDHBM — Journal of The Institution of Engineers (India): Series C, 2025. DOI: 10.1007/s40032-025-01172-1 -
R&D Manager – CAE & Product Validation
Mahindra and Mahindra Ltd · Full-time
Aug 2014 –
Jan 2020
5 yrs 5 mos
Chandigarh, CH, India
Led establishment of the CAE capability for Mahindra Farm Machinery, helping transform product development from prototype-driven design toward simulation-driven engineering.
• Established CAE processes across 25+ agricultural machinery platforms covering durability, structural integrity and system performance, contributing to approximately 60% reduction in product development cycle time.
• Architected Design Verification & Validation (DVP) frameworks associated with approximately 30% reduction in field failures and customer complaints.
• Led a complex service-load data acquisition program for rotary tillers, measuring blade forces under operational soil conditions and connecting real-world usage with engineering analysis.
• Led advanced simulation initiatives including welding fatigue, gasket/seal leakage and bolted-joint analysis.
• Secured two design patents associated with agricultural machinery development.
• Conducted engineering knowledge sessions and collaborated with international R&D teams to support product engineering improvements. -
Deputy Manager (CAE) – Swaraj Tractors R&D
Mahindra & Mahindra ltd. · Full-time
Dec 2011 –
Jul 2014
2 yrs 7 mos
Chandigarh, India
Supported product durability, reliability and cost-weight targets through advanced CAE and design-analysis methodologies.
• Conducted finite element durability analysis and design optimization studies.
• Performed simulation–test correlation using transient/frequency-response analysis and Multi-Body Dynamics (MBD).
• Applied CFD to under-hood thermal-management problems, improving cooling performance and resolving radiator choking.
• Led engineering investigations involving weld fatigue, bolt failure and gasket/seal leakage.
• Developed CAE procedures and design guidelines based on failure-analysis findings. -
Lab Engineer – Mechanical
Bekaert Industries Pvt ltd · Full-time
Jan 2011 –
Jul 2011
6 mos
Pune, Maharashtra, India
Developed advanced mechanical test methods for steel wires and cords using analytical modelling approaches.
• Supported development and improvement of mechanical testing methodologies.
• Contributed to global standardization initiatives and cross-border technical collaboration.
• Evaluated testing practices at Bekaert's R&D facility in China to identify and adopt suitable steel cord and wire testing methods. -
R&D Engineer
ASD India Pvt. Ltd. · Full-time
Jun 2009 –
Dec 2010
1 yrs 6 mos
New Delhi, Delhi, India
Developed and enhanced engineering simulation capabilities for pipe-stress and pressure-drop analysis.
• Enhanced Fortran-based simulation modules for pipe-stress and pressure-drop analysis.
• Contributed to international engineering projects involving soil–structure interaction analysis.
• Participated in technical development discussions at ASD headquarters in San Francisco on integrating soil–structure interaction capabilities into pipe-stress analysis software. -
Project Associate
Indian Institute of Technology Delhi · Contract
Jul 2005 –
May 2009
3 yrs 10 mos
New Delhi, Delhi, India
Conducted simulation-driven research involving computational fluid dynamics and explicit finite element analysis for helmet design and performance.
• Simulated helmet impact behaviour using explicit FEA with LS-DYNA and studied ventilation and thermal characteristics using CFD/Fluent.
• Used simulation results to inform the design and fabrication of a climate-adaptive helmet prototype.
• Integrated simulation findings with physical prototype development and performance evaluation.
• Published research findings in the International Journal of Crashworthiness.
Education
- Xavier School of Management (XLRI) PGCBM, General Management 2010 – 2012
- Indian Institute Of Technology Delhi Master of Technology (MTech), Applied Mechanics, Design Engineering, null 2006 – 2009 Postgraduate engineering program focused on mechanical design, applied mechanics, engineering analysis and product development, providing a foundation for advanced CAE and simulation-driven engineering.
- KIIT University BE, Mechanical 2000 – 2004 Undergraduate mechanical engineering education covering mechanical design, engineering mechanics, manufacturing, materials, thermal systems and machine design.
Other experience
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Founder & Business Strategist — KAZASH Enterprises LLP
Founded and operated an international product-based venture, managing product strategy, supplier coordination, operations and global customer fulfillment.
• Developed product positioning and market strategies for handcrafted products.
• Managed vendor relationships, supply-chain coordination and international logistics.
Licenses & Certifications
- Digital Manufacturing & Design Technology Specialization Coursera May 2020 – Present See credential
Verified info
- Email address
Stats
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Age: 46
Joined: June 9, 2025
Last seen: October 28, 2026
Area of Expertise
Languages
English Full professional proficiency
Hindi Native or bilingual proficiency
Location
New Delhi, India