Riddhi Padariya joins host Nikki Gonzales to discuss the future of automation careers, the strengths of virtual commissioning, and why thoughtful HMI design shapes productivity and safety on the factory floor. Readers working in manufacturing, controls engineering, or those seeking a career in industrial automation will find practical advice, real-world stories, and ideas to move the industry forward.
Building a Career at the Intersection of Automation and Engineering
Riddhi Padariya’s professional path is a lesson in proactive career-building for engineers considering automation. Starting with an early interest in "How It’s Made" and a passion for manufacturing efficiency, Padariya began her journey in electrical engineering, with hands-on experience spanning tissue manufacturing at Kimberly Clark, battery and factory systems at Tesla, and her current leadership role at The Boring Company. She highlights the satisfaction of seeing an idea move “all the way to something which is like being mass produced and being used by many people all over the world and not just in one industry, but in multiple industries.” Working across such varied roles—from process to automotive, carbon capture, and transportation—she demonstrates how controls engineers can continually learn new technologies, apply their skills across sectors, and stay engaged by moving between fields.
Her advice emphasizes the need for cross-disciplinary skill sets, combining mechanical, electrical, and software expertise. As Padariya notes, “I always feel that it’s one of the tough, tougher job[s] as an engineer because you need to know the software, you need to understand the electrical as well as mechanical.”
Virtual Commissioning: Saving Time and Improving Outcomes
Virtual commissioning stands out as a tool with significant benefits for automation teams. Padariya recounts her experience at Tesla, where she used virtual commissioning to mimic troubled stations on a production line before touching physical equipment. This proactive troubleshooting reduced downtime, saved weeks of work, and allowed her team to refine robot sequences virtually—ensuring safer, faster deployment and a smoother transition to actual production. Padariya describes, “Once the code was rewritten for the robot, I was also able to test it. And at that point I was able to cure out many bugs beforehand before that code was deployed on actual station. So that was… kind of cool.”
She encourages engineers to seek out and adopt such tools, comparing virtual commissioning to having “another friend,” much like the use of AI tools such as ChatGPT for daily technical problem-solving. While the cost or perceived difficulty of new digital approaches can seem daunting, Padariya demonstrates that the rewards—both in operational efficiency and learning—make these methods worth pursuing.
Modern HMI Design: Supporting Operators and Better Data
A recurring theme is the importance of thoughtful HMI (Human Machine Interface) design, both for productivity and safety. Padariya, who recently spoke at Automate 2025 on this topic, points out that many HMIs—whether built in-house or provided by OEMs—fall short when it comes to usability and standardized information display. “Sometimes I’ve seen myself in the situation where operators are not able to find the buttons because they’re like two or three levels down,” she says, underscoring the risks of inconsistent, cluttered, or poorly color-coded screens.
She advocates for collecting operator feedback, adopting standards (such as those from the International Society of Automation), and choosing intuitive designs that present critical information clearly. With factories rotating operators across stations, a standard look and feel improves training, reduces errors, and protects both workers and production. Padariya adds, “If they don’t find familiarities between two different HMIs… that’s another disconnect.”
Key Quote From The Episode
“In all of the roles that I’ve taken, I use PLC… to be able to automate machines that could produce parts or basically automate the processes… while keeping the safety in mind so we have safety logic around the entire design.” – Riddhi Padariya
Key Takeaways
[00:02:42] Padariya’s early fascination with manufacturing led her from electrical engineering to automation roles across prominent companies—showing the diverse career paths available in the field.
[00:14:12] Virtual commissioning is more than an academic tool: it can cut downtime and improve troubleshooting in real industrial settings.
[00:29:26] Effective HMI design and adherence to standards matter for safety, usability, and production consistency, especially as operator roles and technologies evolve.
Wrap Up
For controls engineers, automation professionals, or manufacturing leaders, Padariya’s experiences point to three actionable ideas: actively seek interdisciplinary career growth, adopt digital tools like virtual commissioning for better project outcomes, and make HMI design a priority for daily operations and long-term safety. Attend industry events, get involved in professional associations, and reach out to community members for support. Small, specific changes—improving one HMI, piloting a virtual commissioning project, or attending a technical forum—can have outsized impacts on your workplace and your own skill set.
About the Guest
Riddhi Padariya is an automation leader with extensive experience in industrial controls, currently leading a team at The Boring Company. Her background spans battery systems at Tesla, process manufacturing at Kimberly Clark, carbon capture at Heirloom, and active participation in industry organizations, including ISA and IEEE. She is dedicated to supporting career growth for aspiring automation professionals and promotes greater diversity and inclusion in engineering.
