2024 Employee Interviews

Ping Khoo

Senior Powertrain Engineer
Powertrain Engineering

1) What is your role at ITCA?

I calibrate future model year vehicles and provide calibration solutions for existing models in the field. This includes both engine and vehicle testing as well as simulation work.

2) What attracted you to ITCA?

Previously, I worked at an engineering consulting agency, but I really liked the idea of working at an OEM, with the potential to work on diverse projects across a variety of departments/functions, and watch the product from start to finish. It also helped that I knew someone at ITCA who had good things to say about the company.

3) How do you see your job making a positive impact in the lives of others?

I can see that the work I do for on-board diagnostics and emissions calibration has a direct impact on the safety of our vehicles and on the promotion of clean air. I also enjoy having a positive impact on my team, working with junior engineers and interns to train them and build them up.

4) What do you love about your job?

The trust given to me by the team, the flexibility to engage in variety of projects, and being able to see the fruition of what I do in the end product. I work with great people that I can rely on and collaborate with, both locally and with the team in Japan.

Kamal Chowdhury

Lead Engineer
Advanced Engineering

1) What is your role at ITCA?

My role is to supervise the synthetic gas bench (SGB) system, which I was also responsible for designing and building. I am grateful to all who supported me in completing this important project for the company on time. This feed gas system is used to observe reactor behavior under controlled flow concentrations and is typically leveraged for catalyst R&D, modelling, performance, and aging behavior analysis. I also work with the model based development (MBD) team to come up with protocols to gather data to be able to calibrate aftertreatment models for both plant and control level.

2) What attracted you to ITCA?

I was attracted by the prospect of working on low NOx aftertreatment systems and applying my skillset to help solve problems related to these systems. I saw this as an opportunity for me to continue to learn and grow professionally while optimizing the cost-performance for the company.

3) How do you see your job making a positive impact in the lives of others?

Although the SGB does not simulate actual gas conditions, it does provide a reproducible controlled environment that makes screening catalyst formulations simpler and faster. Data collected through the SGB is used to develop kinetic models for specific catalysts which will guide control and calibration. The data can also be used to examine performance deterioration over time/miles.

4) What do you love about your job?

I can see a clear path ahead, with room for growth. I work in an area that interests me and inspires me to learn, and I believe my work has an impact on the company. I enjoy the challenge of solving complex problems as well as the sense of accomplishment that comes with finding a solution. I love the people that I work with. It is always a great pleasure for me to work together with them because of their great talent and innovation. I enjoy the collaborative environment and the opportunity to work with talented and passionate people.

Bruce Vernham

Technical Director
Advanced Engineering – Powertrain

1) Describe what you do in one or two sentences.

I lead a group of talented engineers actively involved in the creation of future powertrains within ITCA. I make sure that the team has the necessary tools and resources, giving them opportunities to develop the skills needed to execute the powertrain development process within ITCA.

2) How do you see your job making a positive impact in the lives of others?

By developing future powertrains, ITCA has the opportunity to reduce cost for the consumer and lower the environmental impact of our products while improving their robustness.

3) What do you love about your job.

I enjoy working with a group of intelligent and motivated engineers who “keep me on my toes”. In this way, I am challenged on a daily basis to continue my skill growth from a technical and leadership standpoint.