What motivated you to pursue a career in welding engineering, and how has your journey in the industry been so far?

My interest in welding engineering began during a specialized Master’s program designed by L&T, which combined academic learning with hands-on industrial experience. This unique foundation sparked a deep interest in metallurgy and welding processes, setting the stage for a fulfilling career. Over the past eight years, I’ve grown from a student into a skilled professional, contributing to key projects in the nuclear, petrochemical, and process industries. Each project has been a stepping stone, pushing me to redefine quality, productivity, and safety in welding. I’ve worked with a wide range of materials, including Titanium, Incoloy, Inconel, Duplex and Austenitic Stainless Steels, Low alloy and Carbon steels, and Nuclear-grade alloys - while aligning with global standards such as ASME, ASTM, EN, IBR, and KTA. My journey has been defined by continuous learning, practical problem-solving, and a commitment to delivering excellence in every weld.

What are some of the most innovative techniques or technologies you’ve implemented in your role as a welding engineer?

Innovation has always been a key part of my role as a welding engineer at L&T. I’ve consistently pushed boundaries to enhance precision, productivity, and safety in manufacturing. Some of the most transformative technologies I’ve introduced include: - Laser Beam Welding: Introduced and developed welding procedures for corrosion-resistant weld overlays using Nickel and Stainless Steel, as well as Hardfacing with Stellite-6. - Twin head GMAW: Developed & Implemented welding procedure for spiral-pattern weld joints, enabling 8mm fillet welds in a single pass. - Automatic GTAW for Nuclear Applications: Developed & Implemented a single-pass automatic GTAW procedure using square butt joint configuration for stainless steel tube-to-tube butt welds (28 OD x 3 Thk. & 17 OD x 2 Thk.), and shell welds (3/4 mm Thk.) for longitudinal and circumferential seams, meeting stringent dimensional and NDE requirements. - Hot Wire Automatic GTAW: Developed specialized procedures for weld overlay of Ni1 material on small ID, intricate nozzles, improving precision in complex geometries. - Square butt SAW for Nuclear applications: Developed square butt joint procedures without back-chipping for low alloy steel long seams and circumferential welds (18mm thick), meeting rigorous nuclear specifications. - Handheld Laser Welding: Developed a welding procedure for stainless steel butt and fillet weld joints. These innovations have not only improved weld quality and speed but also positioned our facility as a leader in advanced welding technologies.

What has been the most challenging project you’ve worked on, and how did you overcome the technical and operational hurdles?

Project Overview: One of the most challenging projects I’ve worked on was the fabrication of India’s first and largest Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) Reactors, a landmark initiative for the country’s polysilicon manufacturing sector. These reactors were highly complex & involved critical materials such as commercially pure Nickel (Ni1), Incoloy 800H, Stainless Steel, and Carbon Steel. The equipment was both ASME Code Stamped and IBR certified, which raised the bar for quality, safety, and compliance. Technical Challenges: The project presented several complex technical hurdles:

• Mirror Polishing of Ni1 Clad Surfaces: Achieving semiconductor-grade reflectivity and cleanliness across the entire reactor internal surface

• Low-thickness spiral weld joints subjected to PAUT demanding flawless quality

• High weld metal deposition, which introduced substantial distortion risks

• Dissimilar metal joints, which posed metallurgical challenges due to varying thermal expansion coefficients and weldability concerns.

• Welding of Incoloy 800H and Ni1, materials known for susceptibility to micro fissures, reheat cracking, and porosity.

Solutions & Innovations: To overcome these challenges, I led a series of strategic and technical initiatives:

• Welding Procedure Development: Developed and qualified over 60 welding procedures suited to different material combinations

• Workforce Enablement: Trained and certified more than 200 welders to meet ASME and IBR codes.

• Technological Advancements: - Pioneered the use of laser welding for overlay applications at L&T, achieving exceptional precision with minimal heat input and distortion—marking a significant advancement in fabrication technology.

- Implemented robotic GMAW, automated spiral welding, and mechanized GTAW, enhancing consistency and repeatability. - Additionally, I deployed IIoT-enabled welding stations to monitor welding parameters in real time, enabling full traceability and data-driven quality control throughout the fabrication process. This project not only tested my technical skills but also pushed the boundaries of welding innovation and operational excellence. It was a proud moment to contribute to a landmark achievement in India’s polysilicon manufacturing sector.

How do you ensure safety and quality in your welding processes, and what steps do you take to exceed industry standards?

Safety and quality are integral to our welding operations. I lead with a safety-first mindset, backed by rigorous training, PPE protocols, and environmental controls. Every new technique undergoes detailed risk assessments and operational control documentation. Our quality systems align with ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, and ASME standards—reinforced by inspections, NDE, and audits. Continuous improvement through data analytics ensures we consistently exceed industry benchmarks.

Where do you see yourself in the next 5-10 years, and how do you plan to contribute to the future of welding technology?

In the next 5 to 10 years, I see myself stepping into a more impactful role as a technical leader and mentor, actively contributing to the evolution of welding technology. My immediate focus is on leading cross-functional teams to tackle complex fabrication challenges while driving innovation in welding automation and sustainable practices. I’m committed to integrating digital tools into welding processes to improve traceability, efficiency, and real-time decision-making. At the same time, I aim to mentor young engineers and welders, helping build a skilled and future-ready workforce. I also plan to engage more deeply with industry forums and standardization bodies to share insights and influence best practices.