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ABOUT KOMATHI SUNDARAM

The KomSea isn’t just a name—it’s how I move through life. The hammerhead shark in my logo moves with confidence and curiosity, adapting and pushing forward. They own their space, keep moving, and never stop evolving—just like me.

The ocean is my salsa dance floor—where I feel most alive, whether I’m innovating test solutions, driving a shared vision with my test community, or quite literally scuba diving with thousands of gliding hammerheads. It’s exhilarating. With The KomSea, I flaunt my hard-earned freedom like a shark in the open ocean — never meant for a pond.

I love empowering people, giving them the tools and clarity they need, and watching them shine.  

So if you love exploring, building, and asking, “But why do we do it this way?”—welcome aboard! 

Let's Connect and Talk more!

MY Engineering JOURNEY

From a small town in Tamil Nadu to leading large-scale automation efforts, my journey has been fueled by curiosity, resilience, and a refusal to accept “this is how it’s always been done”. I bring innovation, heart, and humor into my work, tackling challenges head-on and turning them into growth opportunities.

Saree in the rain, Tamil Nadu in my heart.

I started my career as a software developer at Motorola in India, working on telecom systems. But my real passion was in testing and automation, which led me to the UK, where I dived deep into embedded software testing—Bluetooth, audio, Wi-Fi, sensor semiconductor chips—you name it. I took on both technical and leadership roles, getting hands-on with every stage of product development.

In the US, I shifted my focus to firmware testing for smartphones, smartwatches, and audio products, working on the evolving tech that connects people every day. Just when I thought I had mastered embedded software testing, self-driving cars pulled me into an even bigger challenge—testing entire autonomous vehicles on Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) benches, to enable driverless Robotaxi.

After more than sixteen years of HIL testing, I took another leap—into the world of simulation testing for autonomous vehicles. It’s been a whole new challenge, but it keeps me learning and problem-solving every day.

My Employment Journey
Drawing Experience from Industry Leaders

How My Peers See Me

I love empowering people, giving them the tools and clarity they need, and then sitting back to watch them shine. Seeing others grow, thrive, and succeed makes everything I do completely worth it—it's the most fulfilling part of my work.

Carolina Cervantes

Senior Software Engineer

Mentoring to Unlock True Potential

"Komathi is an exceptional mentor whose passion for testing, automation, and excellence sets the highest standards. She elevates those around her."

Marshall Tanis

Cybersecurity Engineer

Passionate about excellence.

"She has an incredible eye for detail, always identifying gaps and bringing in the right tools and processes to make teams more effective."

Daniel Weber

Manager of Firmware Engineering

An All-Star Leader Who Delivers

"Komathi is a total all-star! Where would we be without her?"

Gordon Downie

Software / Systems Engineering Manager

Tenacious, driven, and impact-focused.

"She is tenacious."

Zeyuan Yu

Senior Software Engineer II

A leader who builds, empowers, and unifies.

"Komathi brings passion and drive to doing the right thing, never settling for short-term, band-aid solutions. She educates teams and enables them to work under a unified structure, raising the bar for quality."

Rob Baker

Senior Staff Engineer / Manager

I love solving hard problems.

"Give her really hard problems to solve, that will keep her motivated."

Paul Burris

Embedded Systems Test Manager

Getting Ducks in a Row

"I’ve seen several workstreams stuck in confusion until Komathi brings her ideas and voice—suddenly, there’s clarity, direction, and a path forward."

Susan McCord

Real-time, embedded, safety critical software

A Natural Force for Clarity and Progress

"Komathi brings clarity to complex engineering challenges, cutting through the noise to craft solutions that balance disciplined process with flexibility—a rare gift."

Engineering a Life That Gives Back

Volunteering

As much as I love automation, I need to unplug and get my hands dirty volunteering—it keeps me grounded. Growing up with little, I adapt easily—no power, questionable tap water—no big deal! In Costa Rica, through Gandoca Culture Exchange, I worked on farms at sunrise, dug trenches, and swung a machete through overgrown fields—just sweat, dirt, and watching for snakes. I also taught English at Gandoca village school, laughing as the kids cracked jokes about my Spanish. In Argentina, I mixed horse shit, dirt, and hay for bio-construction, taught yoga and Pilates, drank endless cups of Yerba Mate, and farmed alongside locals from Finca Macalicia.

In San Diego, I volunteer with ProduceGood, rescuing surplus produce to fight food waste—something I understand all too well, having grown up hungry. I also support Shanti Bhavan, a school that lifts children out of poverty through education—because without it, I wouldn’t be where I am today.

Living Life Fully

Beyond volunteering and traveling, I enjoy scuba diving especially with sharks, SUP, hiking with my dog, salsa dancing, and pushing myself through hot yoga, Pilates, weightlifting, and rock climbing, etc.,. I’m always up for something that keeps me on my toes, makes me laugh, or adds a little thrill to life.

Passports and Purpose:
My Adventures in Travel and Volunteering