About Me

I am a Senior Data Scientist and research engineer holding a Ph.D. in Computer Science & Systems Engineering from IMT School for Advanced Studies Lucca, Italy.

My background bridges fundamental control theory and modern industrial data infrastructure. Currently at Magna International, I architect and build data-driven IIoT applications, microservice architectures, and digital twin frameworks for smart factories.

Prior to Magna, I worked on real-time Nonlinear Model Predictive Control (NMPC) for quadruped robots at the Dynamic Legged Systems (DLS) Lab, IIT Genova, and on motor control software for EV oil pumps at VHIT S.p.A.

Niraj Rathod
Niraj Rathod
Sr. Data Scientist @ Magna International
Austria

Core Competencies

Robotics & Control
Model Predictive Control NMPC System Identification Trajectory Planning ROS / ROS2 MATLAB / Simulink
IIoT & Data Science
Industrial IoT Digital Twins Databricks AWS Cloud Microservices Machine Learning
Software & DevStack
Python C++ Docker Terraform Linux Git A-SPICE

Work Experience

Sr. Data Scientist

Present
Magna International | Austria
  • Develop data-driven IIoT applications for Smart Factories and digital twins.
  • Architect and deploy scalable industrial data solutions in cloud environments.

IoT Regional Lead & Developer

2025
Magna International | Austria
  • Developed microservice architectures for scalable IIoT workloads.
  • Built cloud-native streaming and analytical infrastructure on AWS.

Control Systems Research Engineer

2024
VHIT S.p.A. | Italy
  • Research & development of motor control algorithms for Electric Oil Pumps in EVs.
  • Model-based design for SIL and HIL simulation validation; Automotive SPICE compliance.

Affiliated Researcher

2021
DLS Lab | IIT Genova | Italy
  • Designed real-time NMPC trajectory planner for quadrupedal locomotion on rough terrain.
  • Implemented and validated ROS framework on the experimental HyQ robot platform.

Research Intern

2016
RSE S.p.A. | Italy
  • Mathematical modelling and optimal control design for solar cooling plants.

System Engineer

2014
EEEC Pune | India
  • Designed and deployed Distributed Control Systems (DCS) and SCADA applications.

Education

Ph.D. in Computer Science & Systems Engineering

2019 - 2023
IMT School for Advanced Studies Lucca | Italy
  • Dissertation: Model Predictive Control for Legged Robots.
  • Focused on real-time NMPC, trajectory optimization, and ROS integration.

M.Sc. in Automation and Control Engineering

2014 - 2017
Politecnico di Milano | Italy
  • Thesis: Modelling, simulation and predictive control of a medium temperature Solar Cooling Plant.

B.Tech in Instrumentation and Control

2007 - 2011
College of Engineering Pune (COEP) | India
  • Project: Design and development of Variable Area Flowmeter.