CV – RahulKirtikar.com

Research new and existing technologies from a variety of industries and assess transferability into prototype bedding applications.
Lead Advanced Technology prototype development projects in all aspects including design, proof of concept, validation, and specification development through DFx, DOE, and DFM.
Develop new product metrics including ideation of performance indices and the design and fabrication of new testing equipment to substantiate marketable claims.
Collaborate with external design firms to develop innovative new products within the bedding industry.

Led cross-functional teams to implement new processes, including material specifications, process work instructions, CAD drawings, and standard operating procedures.
Designed proprietary equipment for use across 16 manufacturing locations, including total machine conception, parts and system design, programming, and field integration.
Developed a patent pending method (U.S. 20110041252) to introduce innerspring products into the high growth, industry-pacing “specialty bedding” market.
Designed, developed, and programmed a machine for a patent pending method (U.S. 20100180416) to improve product quality and eliminate up to $2MM in comfort exchanges / product returns.
Developed, patented, and implemented the Smart Response Pocketed Coil that was introduced to the market in 2011 with $20MM projected revenue increase.
Performed analytics on capital and overhead requirements for acquiring or developing, implementing, and operating new manufacturing equipment.
Developed a web-based document management application to share the engineering group’s machine drawings and BOM catalog with field maintenance, machine builders, and international licensees.

Investigated production processes for retrofitting manufacturing equipment to accommodate new model changes and OSHA ergonomic standards.

For full abstracts click here.

“Asymmetric coil spring.” U.S. Patent D681,980. Issued May 14, 2013.
“Coil spring.” U.S. Patent D661,925. Issued June 19, 2012.
“Dual-spring plunger for a plunger matrix mattress.” U.S. Patent 9,119,478. Issued September 1, 2015.
“Mattress including flat springs.” U.S. Patent Application 20150216317. Filed January 20, 2015.
“Method of manufacturing an aged mattress assembly.” U.S. Patent Application 20100180416. Filed March 26, 2010.
“Plunger for a plunger matrix mattress.” U.S. Patent 9,226,591. Issued January 5, 2016.
“Plunger matrix mattress assemblies.” U.S. Patent Application 20140137333. Filed November 20, 2013.
“Spring coils for innerspring assemblies and methods of manufacture.” U.S. Patent 8,979,079. Issued March 17, 2015.
“Systems and methods for manufacturing springs with foam characteristics.” U.S. Patent Application 20110041252. Filed August 19, 2010.
“Wave springs and cushioning articles containing the same.” U.S. Patent Application 20150308533. Filed April 24, 2015.

Studied abroad: international business, politics, and culture in Argentina and Brazil.
Studied abroad: mechanical engineering in Metz, France at Georgia Tech – Lorraine.
Recipient of President’s Scholarship.
Recipient of Reginald S. Fleet Scholarship.