I'm Anirudh "Ani" Vemula!
A self-motivated engineer and project leader who thrives on learning and adapting quickly. Whether it's coding, designing, or overseeing complex projects, I love taking on new challenges and approach everything with a systems mindset.
I'm naturally curious, at ease working in a variety of fields, and driven by finding innovative, practical and synergistic solutions to real world problems.
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About
I have a unique blend of strong technical skills, practical experience, and people-focused leadership. With over 15 years in civil engineering, construction management, and global project operations, I bring valuable insight to every project.
I am a licensed Professional Engineer in California, and I hold degrees from UIUC and IIT Roorkee. My background spans various industries, including US Infrastructure, Consulting and Architecture, now where I am leading a team of over 60 architects.
My career path has not been straightforward, which I see as a strength. I have faced global transitions, changed careers, tackled leadership challenges, and even dealt with personal setbacks. Throughout, I have maintained a focus on learning, delivering results, and acting with integrity. I do not chase titles; instead, I prioritize on building relationships and trust.
What I offer:
- Comprehensive project leadership for both US and India delivery models
- Talent development, mentoring in operations, and client coordination
- Systems thinking that emphasizes scalable, sustainable growth
- A calm, grounded presence during high-pressure or unclear situations
I’m always open to collaborating on meaningful projects. Please reach out if you need someone with technical clarity, operational depth, and consistent leadership.
Education
FULLY EMPLOYED MBA (INCOMPLETE)
2014 - 2015
UCLA Anderson School of Management
I completed one and a half years of the part-time MBA program at UCLA Anderson, focusing on Strategy. My coursework covered corporate strategy, marketing, operations, and organizational behavior. I maintained a strong GPA while actively participating in case competitions, professional clubs and associations, and other campus activities. I left the program early because of a mix of personal and professional changes. This experience still influences my leadership, decision-making, and systems-thinking approach.
Master of SCIENCE, CIVIL ENGINEERING
2008 - 2010
University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, Urbana, IL
Minor in Computational Science and Certificate in Business Administration and several Real Estate courses. Served as Treasurer of Indian Grad Student Association (IGSA) 2009-2010.
GRADUATE COURSEWORK: FINC-120 PROJECT FINANCE
Summer 2009
Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
Bachelor of TECHNOLOGY, CIVIL ENGINEERING
2004 - 2008
Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee, India
Graduated with a solid background in civil engineering, focusing on construction, robotics, and computational modeling. Worked on several research projects with professors from different departments. These projects involved support vector machines, neural networks, and genetic algorithms for applications in hydrology, soil mechanics, and robotic systems. Wrote a research paper that was chosen for presentation at a national conference and won awards for paper presentations at IIT Kanpur and IIT Delhi. Also served as the event coordinator for the Civil Engineering department during the technical fest "Cognizance" at IIT Roorkee.
Professional Experience
Senior project manager
2023 - Present
Studio Chintala, Hyderabad, India
- Collaborating with Nelson’s Project Managers and Accounting team to initiate, plan, manage, execute, and close hundreds of new construction and renovation projects for financial clients (Retail Studio). Includes: Invoicing, Construction Admin Support, Documentation and Close-outs
- Leading Nelson Worldwide/Studio Chintala remote team of over 60 architects by overseeing project management, staffing, design production and training
- Oversee firm-wide project management, marketing, recruitment, and the operations of Hyderabad studio.
Civil Engineer
2016 - 2023
Sri Building Solutions, Karimnagar, India
- Construction Execution
- Oversaw soil excavation and ensured proper soil compaction
- Supervised reinforcement placement, formwork installation, and concrete pouring.
- Checked concrete mixing, pouring, curing, and strength tests.
- Monitored formwork and scaffolding for stability and safety.
- Oversaw brick/block installation for partition walls and facades,
- Ensured correct mortar mix, alignment, and joint spacing & curing
- Quality Control
- Ensured smooth and high quality surface finishes for walls and ceilings.
- Verified proper tiling, epoxy flooring.
- Supervised wooden door and window installations.
- Verified waterproofing of wet areas like bathrooms and kitchens and Roof also.
- Conducted pressure testing for plumbing and commissioning for electrical work.
- Project Management
- Maintained work schedules, daily reports, and weekly progress updates.
- Approved and disbursed payments based on completed milestones.
- Safety
- Ensured Site Safety & Compliance to Regulations
Associate Engineer
Mar 2011 - Dec 2015
Athalye Consulting (TranSystems), Orange County, CA
- Construction Oversight: tie-back stressing & field testing, shotcreting, roadway items (compaction, AC pavement, concrete barriers, crash cushions, storm drains, drainage inlets, electrical systems); Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPP) & inspection of Best Management Practices (BMPs).
- Marketing: Create exhibits & 2D/3D graphics, write-ups, forms, and Statement of Qualifications. Coordinate with subs,contact references and attend RFP pre-proposal meetings. Attend weekly company marketing/strategy meetings.
- Developed “SkillTrak 1.0”– Human Resource Skill Tracking software to store, retrieve, add, modify and query the company personnel pool (employees & potential applicants) having specific skill(s)
Research Assistant
Apr 2010 - Mar 2011
University of Illinois Computer Vision Lab, Champaign, IL
- Developed software to estimate the aerodynamic drag of intermodal freight trains for reducing fuel consumption
- Prepared flowcharts & documentation; debugged existing code; and assisted in automating data acquisition
- Results presented at 9th World Congress on Railway Research, May 22-26, 2011 (Paris)
Project Intern
Aug 2010 - Mar 2011
UIllinois Utilities Administration, Champaign, IL
- Estimated and forecasted steam and electricity demand for Urbana campus
- Developed linear & non-linear models and optimized the power plant operations based on futures prices of oil & gas.
Summer Intern
May 2010 - Aug 2010
Illinois Green Business Association, Champaign, IL
- Researched and analyzed the needs of local businesses; proposed strategies to make them more sustainable
- Served as owner’s representative in the review and selection process of contractors for lighting retrofits
Skills
Languages and Tools
- MATLAB
- Python
- C++
- Julia
- Ruby (Sonic Pi)
- Visual Basic
Project Portfolio
- All
- Studio Chintala + Nelson
- Woodworking
- Athalye
- ASCE
Certifications
Professional Engineer (PE), Civil
California • License #81453 • 2013–Present
California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists
- Scope: civil engineering design, construction, and project delivery
Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist
Microsoft Corp • ID #6968560 • 2009–Present
Managing Projects with Microsoft Office Project 2007
Inactive Certifications
LEED AP Neighborhood Design
US Green Building Council • ID #10540466 • 2010–2016
Construction Manager in Training (CMIT)
Construction Management Association of America • 2013–2015
Envision Sustainability Professional
Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure • 2013–2015
Qualified SWPPP Developer and SWPPP Practitioner (QSD/QSP)
California Stormwater Quality Association • ID #24407 • 2013–2015
Construction Safety and Health (30 Hr)
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) • ID #36-600958757 • 2012–Present
Publications
Aerodynamic Analysis of Intermodal Freight Trains Using Machine Vision
World Congress on Railway Research • May 2011
Avinash Kumar, Tristan G Rickett, Anirudh Vemula, John M Hart, Prof. J Riley Edwards, Prof. Narendra Ahuja, Prof. Chris Barkan
This study presents a machine vision system that monitors intermodal train loading patterns, container gaps, and aerodynamics to reduce fuel consumption and improve energy efficiency. It aims to help railroads optimize train loading strategies along major U.S. corridors. Link
Classification of Rainy Days Using Support Vector Machines
Indian Society for Hydraulics- National Conference on Hydraulics and Water Resources 2007, SVNIT, Surat • Dec 2007
Anirudh Vemula, Prof. Umesh C Kothyari
This study applies Support Vector Machines (SVM) with linear and Gaussian kernels to model the occurrence of rainy days, showing that prediction accuracy strongly depends on key model parameters such as cost (C) and gamma (γ) Link
Unpublished Works:
Estimating Condominium Pricing using Least Squares Regression
UIUC Computational Science & Engineering + Dept of Finance • Dec 2009
Anirudh Vemula
This study examines linear and nonlinear least squares regression to Chicago condo sales data to objectively analyze how factors like size, age, bedrooms, bathrooms, floor level, and parking influence pricing, offering a more robust alternative to the traditional subjective comparison approach. Link
Estimation of Contaminant Transport Parameters using Genetic Algorithms
IIT Roorkee • April 2008
Anirudh Vemula, Prof. K.S. Hari Prasad, D. N. Ratha
This study explores using genetic algorithms, coupled with the Ogata and Banks model, to estimate groundwater contaminant transport parameters, showing that this approach provides accurate results compared to traditional, more labor-intensive methods. Link
River Bank Filtration: An overview
CIV-ERE 2007 National Level Paper Presentation Contest - Society of Civil Engineers, IIT Kanpur • Feb 2007
Obulesu Nanganuru, Anirudh Vemula
This paper highlights riverbank filtration (RBF) as a low-cost, efficient method for producing safe drinking water by naturally filtering contaminants, and emphasizes its potential application and need in India. Link
Laboratory Evaluation of Powdered Wax Modified Bitumen (PWMB) for Bituminous Concrete Mix
TRYST 2007 IIT Delhi Technical Paper Session • Feb 2007
Dinesh Ayyala, Anirudh Vemula
This paper compares powdered wax–modified hot asphalt mix with conventional bitumen, showing that the modified mix offers superior stability, tensile strength, creep resistance, and durability, with reduced moisture susceptibility and deformation. Link
Awards & Honors
Pratibha Award & Gold Medal for Academic Excellence
State of Andhra Pradesh • 2004
Ranked among top 1.3% of 200,000 students in the IIT Joint Entrance Exam, 2004
Invitation to "beta test" the new California PE exam
California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists • 2015
Expert consultant to evaluate the California Seismic Principles and Civil Surveying Beta Exam and provide detailed feedback.
Invitation to take the LEED Neighborhood Development beta exam
Green Building Certification Institute • 2009
Among the first candidates to obtain AP ND credential in the US; featured in UIUC lawschool newsletter (http://www.law.uiuc.edu/news/article/1097)
Order of the Engineer Induction
ASCE San Bernardino-Riverside Branch Younger Member Forum • Cal Poly Pomona May 2015
Initiated into the Order of the Engineer through ASCE, pledging to uphold the “Obligation of an Engineer.” Received the stainless steel Engineer’s Ring as a constant reminder of ethical responsibility, professional pride, and service to the public in the practice of engineering.
Blogs & Articles
Highway Shields: A Typeface born from Infrastructure Dreams
LinkedIn • June 2025
Typography often begins with paper and pixels. For me, it began with pavements...
From Projects to Partnerships: Rethinking the Role of the Architect
LinkedIn • June 2025
...the most successful architecture is not born from isolated genius but from enduring relationships...
The Optimization Mindset: A Framework for Design
LinkedIn • May 2025
Optimization isn't about cutting corners, it's about making every corner count!
Step-by-Step: Scaling Your Architecture Practice with Extended Team Members
LinkedIn • May 2025
Hiring architects as consultants to extend your internal team can be a strategic advantage, if approached thoughtfully. When done right, they bring capacity, creativity, and cost advantage to your projects.
Memberships
American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
Member • 2013–Present
Orange County Chapter/Younger Member Forum
- Transportation and Development Institute
India Water Partnership
Life Member • 2020–Present
https://cwp-india.org/life-members/
Tau Beta Pi
Life Member • 2010–Present
Illinois Alpha Chapter (USA)
Chi Epsilon
Life Member • 2009–Present
Illinois Alpha Chapter (USA)
Inactive Certifications
American Water Works Association
Member (#03660259) • 2020–2022
India Chapter
Association for Computing Machinery
Member (#6688514) • Oct 2020–2021
India Chapter
Testimonials
Anirudh has been very thorough in completing all assignments and has been very reliable. He is able to pick up concepts quickly, and he has demonstrated an eagerness to learn more about construction management. He has adapted well to long hours in the field and office work.
David Tiberi, PE, CCM, PMP, DBIA
Construction Services Manager
Athalye Consulting Engineering Services
Anirudh is a young and talented civil engineer who likes to tackle engineering assignments with enthusiasm and independently makes solutions with minor modifications. He has performed design calculatins, prepared and revised CAD drawings and normally completed assignments on schedule.
In addition, Anirudh has assisted in the review of Contractor's shop drawing submittals, RFIs and materials sampling and testing Quality Control reports.
Raul Fernandez, PE
Senior Project Manager
Athalye Consulting Engineering Services
Anirudh took my Project Finance course in summer of 2009 at Harvard University where I was his Finance Professor. He was amongst the top 5 students in a class of 44 students and earned a solid "A". Anirudh is hardworking, diligent, intelligent and a great team player. He often led the group, he represented in team assignments and provided strategic insights into the way forward on topics assigned. Anirudh's number crunching skills are exceptional and handled financial modeling exercises in the class room with relative ease.
He is highly analytical and led problem solving situations with imagination and great skill. I strongly recommend Anirudh in a position that demands rigor, preseverance and challenge. He would be a terrific fit in an investment banking, private equity or a consulting environment and I wish him best of luck in his endeavors.
Prof. Viney Sawhney
President, Boston National Capital Partners
& Professor, Harvard University
"Anirudh was a student of mine in the MBA-level Intro Marketing class that I taught in Spring 2015, and he was an absolute pleasure to have in class. Anirudh's contributions were bright, well-reasoned, and insightful. His enthusiasm was infectious and his classmates genuinely enjoyed being around him. His work was also extremely high quality: he turned in well thought out case assignments and presentations. As a result, Anirudh earned one of the top grades in the class. I recommend him wholeheartedly - he will add a ton of value to any organization of which he is a part
Prof. Hal Hershfield
Professor, Marketing
UCLA Anderson School of Management
I worked closely with Anirudh for over an year at the Computer Vision and Robotics Lab (Beckman Institute) and found him to be highly proficient in algorithmic analysis and programming, specifically Visual Basic. He was always eager to learn and use new languages and tools to achieve different goals set to him. He implemented the Train Scoring System (TSS) and several other modules such as the AEI scrubber, Intermodal Validation Module, Report/SendMail for our project. He prepared flowcharts for the TSS and the Automation System in Visio and reviewed conference papers. Although he worked independently on most of the projects, he was a team player and quick to assist others (including myself for the Automation System in VC++). I would strongly recommend him for any assignment.
Avinash Kumar, PhD
Computer Vision and Robotics Lab, Beckman Institute & UIUC
Research Scientist, Intel Labs
Anirudh’s knowledge of LEED principles and concepts was a valuable source of information for our LEED project team. He also brought an energy and excitement to our endeavor, and was a real pleasure to work with. I recommend Anirudh to any project team looking for a bright, energetic, and intelligent professional.
Joshua Naggar, JD
Attorney At Law
Anirudh worked with the Illinois Green Business Association as an intern for the Summer of 2010 and worked on an in-depth report investigating four different approaches to energy efficiency in a specific Champaign-Urbana business. He did great research work, was very personable with the business owner, and was very knowledgeable about green practice. Even though his background is more technical, his consulting and personable skills help him achieve success with any task. It was a pleasure working with him in the IGBA's summer internship program.
Cassie Carroll
Executive Director and Co-Founder
Illinois Green Business Association
It was pleasure having a student like Ani at Harvard University. His analysis and attention to details has always impressed me and his class mates. Having no background in finance and still landing among the top of the class is the true testimony of his dedication. I wish him all the luck for his bright future. I am sure any organization will be adding huge value by having Ani
Devansh Shah
Teaching Assistant, Harvard
Investment Head, Brand Capital
Anirudh is a pleasure to work with, and reliable and trustworthy. He is very competent, shows tremendous initiative and independence. He is able to carry out tasks with very little direction. I see him as a person who is hungry to do and achieve more.
Prof. Praveen Kumar
Endowed Professor in Civil and Environmental Engineering, UIUC
Anirudh took my graduate course at UIUC in Spring 2009. He was a very motivated student who always demonstrated a high level intellectual curiosity. Through our interactions in and outside of class, I also found him mature, reliable and very polite
Prof. Yanfeng Ouyang
Endowed Professor in Civil and Environmental Engineering, UIUC
Contact
Base Coordinates
Hyderabad, Telangana, India 500045
Ring Me
+1 (210) 900-2707