Leadership
Sigma’s leadership brings together decades of experience across defence systems, aerospace engineering, precision manufacturing, and global operations. They set the standard every programme is held to.
The team behind the mission
Sunil Kumar
Chief Executive Officer & Executive Director
Sunil Kumar Kalidindi
A member of the Board since mid-2022, he plays a key role in shaping the Company’s long-term strategy and governance as it scales within India’s aerospace and defence sector.
In his capacity as Chief Executive Officer of Megasoft Limited, Sunil led the merger of Sigma Advanced Systems into Megasoft, creating a focused listed platform for aerospace and defence.
He also led Sigma’s acquisition of the Nasmyth Group in the UK, a strategically significant transaction that strengthened advanced manufacturing capabilities and expanded the Company’s international footprint.
Sunil is closely involved in guiding Sigma’s engagement with complex, mission-critical Aerospace & defence programmes, ensuring alignment between technical ambition, execution discipline, and commercial sustainability – an increasingly critical balance in India’s evolving defence ecosystem.
He is also the Co-Founder and Director of Indrajaal Drone Defence India Private Limited, reflecting his broader leadership across India’s defence and security landscape.
Sunil holds a Bachelor of Engineering from PSG College of Engineering, Coimbatore, a Master’s degree in Management from the University of Leicester, and a Master’s degree in Finance from London Business School.
With nearly 17 years of experience across corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions, and senior leadership roles, his contribution at Sigma is defined by a long-term, disciplined approach to growth, supporting scale and innovation while maintaining strong governance and financial rigor.
Cheemarla Damodar Reddy
Director, Electronics
Cheemarla Damodar Reddy
Earlier in his career, prior to founding Sigma’s electronics business, Damodar worked in the United States and Canada, where he played a key role in advanced technology transfer to India. Damodar’s work focused on embedded systems and data acquisition systems, and he led the successful execution of several mission-critical programmes supporting defence and aerospace applications.
Over the course of his career, his contributions have strengthened India’s defence and aerospace ecosystem, earning him recognition as a respected industry leader known for execution excellence, technical depth, and long-term sector commitment.
John Rooney
Chief Executive Officer, Nasmyth Group
John Rooney
Prior to joining Nasmyth in 2023, John spent over 16 years at Gardner Aerospace, where he held senior leadership roles including Chief Technology Officer and Director of Operations, overseeing multi-site manufacturing operations and driving performance, technology advancement, and customer delivery across complex aerospace programs. Earlier in his career, he served as Divisional Operations Director at Hampson Aerospace and held supply chain leadership roles at Goodrich Actuation Systems.
John is recognised for his hands-on leadership style, strong command of AS9100-regulated environments, and commitment to continuous improvement, operational rigor, and sustainable growth across aerospace platforms.
Sudharsan Manivel
Chief Operating Officer, Precision Engineering
Sudharsan Manivel
Prior to joining Sigma, Sudharsan founded Inticore Engineering, building dedicated manufacturing capabilities for critical mechanical assemblies and strengthening supply chains aligned to global customer requirements. He previously served as Managing Director of VAF Def-Aero Systems Private Limited, a leading manufacturer of precision-engineered aluminium castings for aerospace and defence platforms.
Across his leadership roles, Sudharsan has driven manufacturing excellence, product development, and scalable growth in partnership with global OEMs, with a strong focus on process discipline, quality compliance, and operational performance.
Sudharsan holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from PSG College of Technology and a postgraduate qualification in management from ISB, Hyderabad.
Sanjay Pukalay
Chief Operating Officer, Electronics
Sanjay Pukalay
Since co-founding Sigma’s electronics business in 1994, Sanjay has helped shape the company into a professionally managed, technology-driven enterprise delivering mission-critical, high-reliability systems. His leadership has been instrumental in institutionalising robust governance, operational excellence, and process maturity aligned with global standards, including ISO 9001 and AS9100D.
An Electronics and Communication Engineering graduate and certified Project Management Professional (PMP), Mr. Pukalay combines deep technical insight with strategic execution. He has led enterprise-wide transformation initiatives, including integrated ERP deployment, program governance frameworks, and embedded software processes aligned with aerospace standards such as DO-178C.
Sanjay continues to contribute to corporate strategy, strategic programs, customer engagement, financial stewardship, and long-term value creation at Sigma Advanced Systems Limited.
Shridhar Thathachary
Chief Financial Officer
Shridhar Thathachary
Before joining Sigma, Shridhar was General Manager at Godrej Telecom, handling operations, business development, and team leadership. He also held an executive role at the UB Group, gaining exposure to large, multi-sector businesses spanning beverages, chemicals, and fertilizers.
Shridhar holds a Master of Management Studies and a Bachelor of Science from the University of Mumbai.
Dr. Pramod Raju
President, Corporate Finance and Mergers & Acquisitions
Dr. Pramod Raju
Pramod was instrumental in the acquisition and integration of Nasmyth Group, where he serves as a Director on all the Nasmyth Group companies. He supports the group’s strategic direction as it scales its capabilities across high-complexity aero-engine and aerospace component manufacturing.
Prior to Sigma, Pramod was a successful entrepreneur and prior to that, held senior positions with leading global investment banks such as Goldman Sachs, Salomon Smith Barney, and UBS Warburg in New York City, Singapore, and Mumbai. This experience supports his work on complex cross-border transactions, which are core to Sigma’s inorganic growth strategy.
Pramod holds a B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania and an M.D. from NYU School of Medicine.