Hey! I’m Hritik Kotak, a Mechanical Engineer and Product Developer, based in Los Angeles, who loves solving real-world problems through design, engineering, and a lot of curiosity.
PS: This Website contains my engineering projects and freelance work, for professional experiences, please refer to my resume below!
Over the years, I’ve worked on everything from wearable devices and consumer products to automotive parts, medical devices, and building systems. Whether it’s creating a rock-climbing tracker for a startup, designing custom car parts for off-road racing, or developing energy-efficient HVAC systems, I’m all about building products that are functional, meaningful, and enjoyable to use.
I started my journey at Purdue University, earning a degree in Mechanical Engineering, and I’m now finishing my Master’s in Product Development Engineering at USC. Along the way, I’ve worked in roles that sharpened my technical skills and expanded how I think about products.
At Alcon, I developed and executed test procedures for new lens materials and also integrated generative AI tools across the product development workflow—from ideation and design to testing and documentation. This improved efficiency across the board and cut R&D time by 30%, showing how technology can elevate every stage of engineering.
At Allygrow Technologies, I focused on validation engineering for EV components, helping reduce part failure by 13% through testing and design for manufacturability. My time at Bialosky, an architectural design firm, gave me a unique systems-level perspective—designing HVAC and plumbing systems to optimize energy efficiency and comfort in commercial buildings.
I also worked at Xena Intelligence, helping analyze e-commerce sales data to improve marketing strategies—proving that engineering thinking can create value beyond hardware. As a freelancer, I led product development for PBL. and a client with a Hummel brand license, handling everything from concept sketches and CAD to material selection and supplier coordination.
What ties it all together? A drive to create products that improve everyday life, a love for problem-solving, and a versatile mindset shaped by working across multiple industries and challenges. I enjoy building things people actually love to use.
Outside of engineering, I’m into music production, songwriting, and playing guitar and drums. You can also find me on a pickleball court, experimenting in the kitchen, or exploring creative projects—anything that lets me build, create, and connect.
Right now, I’m looking to join teams that are pushing boundaries in hardware product development, where I can help lead design efforts, solve problems, and bring innovative products to life.
Let’s build something cool.
Resume
Here’s a downloadable PDF of my Resume!