Waqar B. Hashim

Experience

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  Hinopak Motors Limited

  Jan 1988 - Jan 1990

  Senior Manufacturing Engineer

  Supervised manufacturing operations in a flexible automotive assembly plant.Successfully completed the design and installation of an engine assembly operation plant for high output 6-cylinder in-line Diesel engines.

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  NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration

  Jan 1990 - Oct 1991

  Research Engineer

  Develop a numerical analysis model for fluid flow within a Sitrling Cycle engine for lunar based power generation.

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  General Motors

  Oct 1991 - Aug 2018

  • Successfully led the engineering, development and launch of the 2019 Chevrolet Blazer with a 5-star NCAP rating & JD Powers IQS, excelling in all business metrics – The best ranked and most popular mid-size SUV.• Led the development of the 2019 Holden Acadia RHD vehicle which was GM's first global vehicle with ADAS active safety features (level 1.5 autonomy) that met 5-star EU/ANCAP requirements.• Managed engineering work transitions across continents seamlessly and effectively.• Key Skills – Create a PowerPoint free agile issue escalation and resolution process that utilizes virtual vehicle integration to resolve packaging and construction issues leading to a very high quality physical build. One of the first GM programs to build production tooled interiors and exterior panels for integration hardware build successfully with no major issues post build and test. Show less ATS Coupe• Developed the 2015 Cadillac ATS Coupe to rival BMW 3-series performance.• Simplified daily operations for current production Cadillac CTS Sedan, Coupe, and Wagon programs, improving quality, profitability and earning several JD Powers awards.Cadillac SRX• Overcame the Initial launch quality and warranty issues of the SRX by implementing a cross functional strategy to catch and contain early problems while working in parallel to implement permanent solution.• Implemented a robust warranty part return and issue escalation process that led to vehicle configuration simplifications improving profitability.• Packaged, integrated, validated and launched the 3.6l High Feature V6 engine with a 6-speed transmission to regain competitive position in the Mid-lux Crossover segment in 6 months.Saturn Vue• Led a cross-functional engineering, manufacturing, marketing and service team to reduce warranty from 1147 IPTV to 350IPTV steady-state improving profitability.• Based on this performance the GM leadership decided to make this product a Chevrolet branded small crossover while eliminating the rest of the products in the Saturn brand uring GM’s bankruptcy.Chevrolet Equinox• Led the Chevrolet Equinox cross-over program to be one of the highest performing in Consumers Reports’ long term durability product.• Developed and launched the Equinox Sport model with a new engine/transmission to improve the lifecycle profitability of the program.• Key Skills – Simplify and focus the scope of the day-to-day operations so the energy of the team is focused on issues that make a meaningful impact on the business. Show less

  • Chief Engineer - Chevrolet Blazer

    Oct 2014 - Aug 2018

  • Program Engineering Manager - Cadillac ATS coupe, SRX Crossover, Saturn Vue and Chevrolet Equinox

    Oct 1991 - Oct 2014
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  Baker College

  Jan 1997 - Aug 2000

  Adjunct Faculty

  Taught Machine Design, Kinematics, Thermodynamics and Ergonomics for students enrolled in the Bachelor of Science program in Mechanical Engineering.

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  Foresite Logos

  Jan 1998 - Dec 2001

  Founder & CEO

  Started an online design service for corporate logos to explore the possibilities of conducting business online.

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  Faraday Future

  Sept 2018 - Mar 2021

  Vehicle Line Executive and VP of Global Program Management

  • Led the engineering and program management teams to build and test prototype vehicles at a struggling startup with minimum funding to validate and implement vehicle software-based functions including a highly complex UI/UX.• Established an effective vehicle development and program management process that utilized metal and plastic 3D printing technologies to create and optimize parts.• Used A2Mac information for benchmarking and optimization of product.• Garnered positive vehicle reviews and feedback for the achievements during CES 2020.• Key Skills – Managed engineering operations to deliver objectives in a financially constrained environment with minimal third-party resources. Led collaborative exchange with UCLA and UCR Smart Energy Research teams to further EV and autonomous vehicle technologies. Show less

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  ElectroMobility LLC

  Feb 2020 - Mar 2023

  Founder

  • Independent automotive consultant worked with several investment firms and consulting agencies to provide technical guidance and business case assessment for various automotive Electric Vehicle and autonomous mobility projects. • During COVID developed an open-source requirements for a ventilator with a Linked-In based online team of experts. Created a working model of a powered face mask with active airflow management for health care applications.• Key Skill – Solving complex problems by identifying and filtering out the ‘noise’ in the requirements. Effective collaboration with experts online to deal with an urgent global crisis like COVID. Show less

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  Micromoev

  Apr 2021 - Apr 2023

  Founder

  • Founded a small robotics startup with a vision to provide interactive material movement in a commercial warehouse workspace and beyond. • Worked on the architecture and hardware development to create a user-friendly robot chassis that would use interactive screens to communicate effectively with people in its environment. • Hands-on experience in developing and integrating IoT-based autonomous robots for new mobility applications using Robotis hardware.• Developed product plan and portfolio of product concepts for small robotic applications.• Key Skills – Worked with SBA and Federal Agencies to develop project plans. Hands on experience with 3D printing and lightweight aluminum space frame construction. Wrote articles on how AI will transform UI/UX and change human-machine interface. Show less

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  Lordstown Motors

  Apr 2023 - Dec 2023

  Vice President of Engineering

  • Spearheaded efforts to remove roadblocks from product launch leading to the successful completion of production vehicles at the contract manufacturer’s assembly plant.• Championed the development and implementation of a cloud-based vehicle management and monitoring system to understand DTC code trends for predictive vehicle maintenance. • Developed strategic plans to launch the vehicle for mass production using Value Analysis / Value Engineering (VAVE) methods resulting in a refined estimate of investment required and timing to achieve launch. • Created a profitability assessment based on the VAVE effort to engage joint venture / collaboration partners including traditional and new Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs).• Led the team that performed feasibility assessment of unibody Pickup, Cross-Over and Delivery Van configuration EV vehicles using Caresoft’s benchmarking and Delta Cost evaluation methods. Show less

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  Smartware Advisors

  Dec 2023 - now

  Founder

  🚀 Helping Startups Build Products People Actually Want🏢 Guiding Corporates to Innovate Like Startups🎯 Partnering with Accelerators to Boost Portfolio SuccessAt Smartware Advisors, we specialize in transforming bold ideas into real-world products that win markets. With 30+ years of hands-on experience in product development, competitive benchmarking, and lifecycle management, we help teams avoid costly missteps and build the right product the right way.Whether you're:✅ A startup navigating MVP development and product-market fit✅ An accelerator looking to improve the product execution of your cohort✅ A corporate team seeking to modernize your product processes or launch a new innovation initiative—we bring clarity, speed, and structure to your product journey.🔧 We translate customer and market insights into actionable product requirements.🔍 We support engineering, sourcing, testing, validation, and launch with precision.📈 We guide lifecycle quality and warranty strategies that drive profitability and competitiveness.Let’s build something that lasts. Show less

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  Centrepolis Accelerator @ Lawrence Technological University

  Jun 2024 - now

  Expert in Residence

  • Provide technical depth to startups at the Centrepolis Accelerator to help them overcome product strategy, market positioning, and technical development challenges.• Assist startup companies in filtering out the noise and chaos in developing balanced products requirements and achieving rapid MVP development.

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  Plug and Play Tech Center

  May 2025 - now

  Product Development Mentor

  Provide hands-on mentorship for early- and growth-stage startups to help them overcome product development challenges and build a clear path to product-market fit. I serve as a trusted advisor to founders across verticals—especially those developing complex hardware, mobility, or AI-integrated solutions.

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  Plug n Play

  May 2025 - now

  Product Development Mentor

  Provide hands-on mentorship for early- and growth-stage startups to help them overcome product development challenges and build a clear path to product-market fit. I serve as a trusted advisor to founders across verticals—especially those developing complex hardware-software integrated products, mobility, micro-mobility, last-mile delivery, robotics, energy storage and sustainability solutions.