The internet has found inspiration in Sanjeev Sharma, a mechanical engineer and IIT Roorkee graduate, whose career path from a government job in Indian Railways to a key position at Elon Musk’s SpaceX—has captured attention on LinkedIn. His incredible journey showcases not just professional growth but a testament to hard work, continuous learning, and bold career shifts.
From Indian Railways to Higher Education
Sanjeev Sharma began his career with Indian Railways after graduating from IIT Roorkee. He served as a Divisional Mechanical Engineer for four years before being promoted to Deputy Chief Mechanical Engineer in 1994. Sharma worked for a little over 11 years in this role before seeking new challenges. In 2002, he decided to pursue further education and enrolled in a one-year MS program in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Colorado Boulder, which he completed in 2003.
A Shift to Tech and Aerospace
After his studies, Sharma transitioned to the private sector, joining Seagate Technology as a Staff Mechanical Engineer. He rose to the position of Senior Mechanical Engineer in 2008, while also earning an MS in Management of Technology from the University of Minnesota. He worked at Seagate for five years, gaining invaluable experience before his next major career leap—joining SpaceX.
In 2013, Sharma began his journey with SpaceX as a Dynamics Engineer, where he played a crucial role in structural dynamics, working closely with teams in aerodynamics, propulsion, and thermal engineering. His contributions were key to the recovery and reusability of the first-stage booster from the Falcon 9 flight F9-005 to F9-0059.
Leading in Drone Technology and Returning to SpaceX
In 2018, Sharma moved to Matternet Inc., a leader in commercial drone delivery systems, where he led vehicle engineering and later headed the technology division. His leadership was instrumental in shaping the company’s technological direction. After two years, Sharma returned to SpaceX in 2022, this time as a Principal Engineer for Starship Dynamics, based in Hawthorne, California.
Inspiring Career of Growth and Innovation
Sanjeev Sharma’s career, spanning across sectors from railways to aerospace, is a testament to his adaptability, expertise, and leadership. His LinkedIn profile highlights his experience in diverse hardware teams and electro-mechanical systems design, making him an inspiration to many in the engineering and tech world.
With a background rooted in hard work and ambition, Sharma’s journey from Indian Railways to working on reusable rockets for SpaceX has set a benchmark for aspiring professionals, showing that career evolution knows no limits.