Gurunathan Soundararajan
Ipswich,Suffolk
Summary
Mechanical Engineer with 13+ years of experience across manufacturing, fabrication, biotechnology, FMCG, and food industries, specialising in mechanical systems, Machinery maintenance, Machinery assembly, and technical operations. Skilled in delivering end to end engineering support from concept design and fabrication through installation, commissioning, and performance optimisation. A strongly motivated team player with proven ability to coordinate effectively with cross-functional teams, solve complex mechanical issues, improve equipment performances and drive projects toward successful technical and operational outcomes with a strong focus on Quality, Safety and Compliance.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
5
5
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Senior mechanical engineer
Colorifix Ltd - Bioprocess Equipment Engineer
Norwich, Norfolk
01.2025 - Current
- Responsible for mechanical design and technical evaluation of 30L, 300L, and 3000L fermenters, covering Stainless Steel pressure vessel geometry, Vessel HD ratio, process piping P&ID development, and Bioreactor functional specifications. This includes designing heat transfer methodologies (Steam, Heat pumps, Chillers) to improve energy efficiency and reviewing all mechanical drawings, vessel layouts, and fabrication details with internal & External manufacturers in Portugal and India. Lead the FAT (Factory Acceptance Test) and SAT(Site Acceptance Test) activities for production bioreactors, oversee installation and commissioning of fermenters at Client locations and downstream systems in UK, Europe and India, and drive continuous improvement in manufacturing quality, cost, utility usage, and energy performance. Additionally, Manage product quality assessments with internal teams and external partners, ensuring compliance with ASME and PED pressure vessel standards, hygiene requirements (Passivation & Electropolishing), machinery directives, and bioreactor safety standards.
Mechanical engineer
Colorifix Ltd - Plant Engineer
Cambridge, Cambridgeshire
03.2023 - 12.2024
- Responsible for ensuring optimal operation of plant machinery for Pilot & Production scale fermentation and fabric dyeing production, maintaining high performance through regular PPM maintenance, repairs, and preventative measures to minimise downtime. Developed SOPs to ensure consistent operational output & quality, and managed mechanical and electrical breakdowns by diagnosing and resolving issues promptly through fault finding exercises. Oversaw optimal operation of high pressure utilities including Steam, Compressed air, and Cooling tower systems. Coordinating with external contractors for installation, commissioning, and process piping P&ID for various production machineries. Lead project Installation design activities, negotiated with vendors, and validated safety systems and RAMS to ensure compliance and safe execution of all external vendor operations. Collaborated closely with cross functional teams including H&S Inspectors, Quality Inspectors and fermentation scientists to maintain high compliance standards.
Technical Operation
Nestle waters
Buxton, Derbyshire
07.2022 - 02.2023
- At Nestlé Waters, Responsible for planned and preventative maintenance of high speed bottle blowers, labelling, conveyor, and packing machines, including setup and inspection of SIDEL and KRONES bottle manufacturing machinery. Performed routine inspections of production equipment, supported breakdown resolution, conducted root cause analysis, and implemented corrective actions while adhering to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Good Manufacturing Practices, and Nestle's quality standards. Operated engineering workshop machinery, including lathes, machining, drilling, cutting, and welding equipment, to execute specific maintenance tasks. Collaborated with shift engineers, maintenance technicians, and external vendors to deliver safe, efficient, and high quality engineering solutions.
Assembly engineer
JBT Proseal Ltd
Macclesfield, Cheshire East
02.2022 - 06.2022
- At JBT Proseal Ltd, Responsible for building assemblies and sub-assemblies of various tray sealing machines, following design specifications from initial components to final machine assembly. Measured components using high-precision tools and prepared parts through tapping, reaming, drilling, polishing, and stainless steel TIG welding as per SOLIDWORKS designs. Assembled and fitted motors, gearboxes, simplex and duplex chain assemblies, bearings, infeed & outfeed conveyors, injection moulds, pneumatic assemblies, Instruments & sensor assembly and panel boards, working to tight tolerances with attention to detail and quality finish. Executed all assembly work efficiently, professionally, and within timelines, conducted quality testing, collaborated with quality engineers, operated power tools safely, and supported risk assessment and H&S compliance
Electro Mechanical Assembler
Hansford Sensors
High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire
08.2021 - 01.2022
- As Electro-Mechanical Assembler, responsible for assembly of various sensor components and sub-assemblies, including wiring, instruments, and PCB boards, performing tasks such as stripping, crimping, and soldering. Operated automated stainless steel TIG welding machinery on SS316 materials with thicknesses ranging from 0.8 to 6 mm. Tested products following quality electrical testing protocols and ensured all assemblies were completed efficiently, accurately, and within production timelines, while strictly adhering to company safety policies and maintaining high standards of quality, safety and reliability.
Fabrication Engineer
I India Scientific and Fabrications
Karaikal, Puducherry
05.2018 - 07.2021
- As Fabrication Engineer at India Scientific & Fabrication, responsible for assembly of various conveyors made from stainless steel, mild steel, and aluminium channels. Executed MMA, MIG, and TIG welding operations in alignment with CAD designs and carried out drilling, tapping, machining, grinding, surface polishing, passivation, and electropolishing for Pharma grade conveyors. Collaborated with design and quality engineers to ensure timely delivery of high-quality products, taking ownership of assigned assembly tasks and consistently meeting H&S and company quality standards.
Junior Maintenance Engineer / Maintenance Engineer
Gayathree Industries - FMCG Sector
Sederapet, Puducherry
01.2013 - 04.2018
- As Junior Maintenance Engineer, worked closely with plant maintenance team to execute all planned maintenance activities for production machinery. Responsible for recording and reporting both planned and reactive maintenance tasks, performing small scale workshop activities, and operating engineering tools for machined components. Collaborated with machine operators, shift engineers, and mechanical and electrical teams to ensure optimal performance of production machinery, achieving production targets while maintaining high safety and quality standards.
Education
Bachelor of Engineering - Mechanical Engineering
Bharath University
Chennai, India 06.2008 - 04.2012
NVQ Level 2 - Manual Tig Welding - Stainless Steel
TWA Academy
Chester, Cheshire 09.2025 - 10.2025
NVQ Level 3 - 18th Edition- Electrical Installations BS 7671:2018 (2022)
Learn Trade Skills
Cheshunt, Hertfordshire 09.2023 - 12.2023
Certificate of Higher Education - Stainless steel Specialist course
British Stainless steel Associaton
Sheffield 03.2024 - 11.2024
Skills
- Stainless steel & Mild steel metallurgy
- Bioreactors / Fermenters
- Piping & Instrumentation Diagram (P&ID)
- ASME, PED Pressure Vessel Standards
- Stainless steel Hygiene Standards (Passivation & Electropolishing)
- Heat Pumps, Steam Boilers, Cooling towers, Chillers
- Welding: MMA, Mig & Tig ( Mild, Stainless & Aluminum)
- Workshop Machineries: (Lathe, Drilling, Plasma Cutting, Grinding)
- Fabrication Drawings, AUTOCAD, SOLIDWORKS machinery assemblies
- Thermodynamics
- Machinery Maintenance (PPM & Breakdown)
- Root Cause Analysis
- Problem Solving
- Electrical 18th Edition and soldering skills
- Risk Analysis and Method Statements (RAMS)
- Installation & Commissioning
- Work Under Pressure / Fast faced environment
- Time Management
- Cross-functional teams support
- Conflict Management
Affiliations
- Reading books and Cricket sports
- Taking Childrens Outside
Accomplishments
Certificate of Merit from British Stainless steel Association for Specialist course in stainless steel
Active member of ASME(American society of Mechanical Engineer) since 2024
Languages
English
Fluent
Tamil
Fluent
Timeline
NVQ Level 2 - Manual Tig Welding - Stainless Steel
TWA Academy
09.2025 - 10.2025
Senior mechanical engineer
Colorifix Ltd - Bioprocess Equipment Engineer
01.2025 - Current
Certificate of Higher Education - Stainless steel Specialist course
British Stainless steel Associaton
03.2024 - 11.2024
NVQ Level 3 - 18th Edition- Electrical Installations BS 7671:2018 (2022)
Learn Trade Skills
09.2023 - 12.2023
Mechanical engineer
Colorifix Ltd - Plant Engineer
03.2023 - 12.2024
Technical Operation
Nestle waters
07.2022 - 02.2023
Assembly engineer
JBT Proseal Ltd
02.2022 - 06.2022
Electro Mechanical Assembler
Hansford Sensors
08.2021 - 01.2022
Fabrication Engineer
I India Scientific and Fabrications
05.2018 - 07.2021
Junior Maintenance Engineer / Maintenance Engineer
Gayathree Industries - FMCG Sector
01.2013 - 04.2018
Bachelor of Engineering - Mechanical Engineering
Bharath University
06.2008 - 04.2012