Kartheek K.-Senior Automotive Cybersecurity Expert & Auditor
Check rate
Experience
Advisor & Investor (Limited Partner)
Destrosolutions
- Advised the executive team on the strategy, architecture, and development of an AI-powered Product Security Operations Center (PSOC); a cybersecurity operating system for software-defined cyber physical connected systems.
- Provided strategic guidance on product vision, regulatory alignment, and market positioning, supporting capabilities across threat intelligence, vulnerability management, compliance automation, and autonomous product security.
Lead Automotive Cybersecurity Auditor
MAHLE GmbH
- Delivered 30+ cybersecurity audits and assessments across global engineering organizations, enabling certification readiness against ISO/SAE 21434, ISO 24089, and UN R155 using ISO/PAS 5112.
- Delivered 30+ end-to-end audit programs covering planning, evidence reviews, work-product assessments, stakeholder interviews, audit reporting, and corrective action management.
- Assessed the cybersecurity maturity of 20+ global suppliers, identifying compliance gaps and driving risk-based remediation to strengthen supplier qualification and engineering processes.
- Supported successful external customer, certification-body, and regulatory audits by preparing engineering organizations and suppliers for cybersecurity assessments and customer and external audits and Homologation type-approval.
Compliance Manager – Automotive Cybersecurity & Product Compliance
- Led enterprise compliance initiatives for the EU Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) and EU AI Act, translating regulatory requirements into actionable compliance strategies and implementation roadmaps across global product organizations.
- Performed regulatory gap analyses, product classifications, and impact assessments for 50+ connected products to evaluate organizational readiness and define implementation priorities for emerging cybersecurity regulations.
- Interpreted global cybersecurity regulations, standards, and certification requirements, preparing compliance guidance and supporting engineering, product, legal, quality, and executive stakeholders throughout the compliance lifecycle.
- Developed regulatory compliance plans and monitored implementation activities to ensure products and engineering processes aligned with applicable legislative and certification requirements.
- Supported global certification and regulatory readiness by coordinating compliance activities, maintaining evidence, and preparing organizations for customer, regulatory, and third-party assessments.
Automotive Cybersecurity Expert/Auditor
DEKRA
- Delivered 100+ independent third-party cybersecurity audits for global OEMs and Tier-1 suppliers across Europe, covering VDA ISA/TISAX, Vehicle Cyber Security (VCS), ISO 9001, and customer-specific assessment frameworks.
- Contributed as an automotive cybersecurity subject matter expert in vehicle cybersecurity audits, evaluating engineering processes, work products, and organizational maturity against applicable standards and best practices.
- Prepared comprehensive audit plans and audit reports in English, ensuring high-quality, timely, and cost-effective delivery while maintaining compliance with DEKRA's audit methodology.
- Advised OEMs, Tier-1 suppliers, and technology organizations on information security, IT security, and automotive cybersecurity, providing practical recommendations to improve compliance, risk management, and cybersecurity maturity.
- Presented audit findings, technical concepts, remediation strategies, and project status to engineering teams, senior management, and executive stakeholders, facilitating successful audit outcomes and continuous improvement initiatives.
Global Functional Safety Engineer
JLR
- Led Functional Safety activities for global vehicle programs in accordance with ISO 26262, supporting the complete safety lifecycle from concept through production.
- Performed Hazard Analysis and Risk Assessment (HARA), defined Functional Safety Concepts (FSC), Technical Safety Concepts (TSC), and derived safety requirements for electrical and electronic systems.
- Developed and reviewed safety work products, including Safety Plans, Item Definitions, Safety Cases, FMEDA/FMEA inputs, and verification and validation evidence to ensure compliance with ISO 26262.
Industry experience
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Experienced in Automotive, Manufacturing, and Information Technology.
Business area experience
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Experienced in Quality Assurance, Audit, Information Technology, Product Development, Legal, and Project Management.
Summary
Automotive Cybersecurity Expert, Lead Auditor, and Compliance Manager with 9+ years of experience across OEMs, Tier-1 suppliers, and independent certification bodies. Expertise in cybersecurity audits, regulatory compliance, and certification readiness for ISO/SAE 21434, ISO 24089, UN R155, EU CRA, and EU AI Act. Recognized as one of Automotive IQ's Top 20 Voices in Automotive Cybersecurity (2026).
Skills
- Standards & Regulation: Iso/Sae 21434, Iso 24089, Iso 26262, Un R155 / Sotif, Iec 62443, Eu Ai Act, Eu Cra, Nis2, Tisax / Vda Isa, Tisax, Iso/Pas 5112
- Methods: Tara (Stride), Secure Development Lifecycle, Risk Assessment, Vulnerability Management, Product Security, Audit & Compliance
- Tools & Platforms: Yakindu Security Analysis, Microsoft Sentinel & Azure, Jira / Confluence, Microsoft 365, Python, Stages, Siemens Polarion
Languages
Education
Deggendorf Institute of Technology
M.Eng. Mechatronics and Cyber-Physical Systems · Mechatronics and Cyber-Physical Systems · Germany
Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Technology
B.Tech. Mechatronics and Robotics · Mechatronics and Robotics · India
Certifications & licenses
Automotive cybersecurity Expert
TUV SAAR
Statistics
Experience
Global experience
Expertise
Qualifications
Profile
Frequently asked questions
Have questions? Find more information here.
Kartheek is based in Stuttgart, Germany and can operate in on-site, hybrid, and remote work models.
Kartheek speaks the following languages: Telugu (Native), English (Advanced), German (Intermediate).
Kartheek has at least 9 years of experience. During this time, Kartheek has worked in at least 4 different roles and for 4 different companies. The average length of individual experience is 2 years and 2 months. Note that Kartheek may not have shared all experience and actually has more experience.
Based on recent experience, Kartheek would be well-suited for roles such as: Advisor & Investor (Limited Partner), Lead Automotive Cybersecurity Auditor, Automotive Cybersecurity Expert/Auditor.
Kartheek's most recent position is Advisor & Investor (Limited Partner) at Destrosolutions.
In recent years, Kartheek has worked for Destrosolutions, MAHLE GmbH, and DEKRA.
Kartheek is most experienced in industries like Automotive, Manufacturing, and Information Technology.
Kartheek is most experienced in business areas like Quality Assurance, Audit, and Information Technology. Kartheek also has some experience in Product Development, Legal, and Project Management.
Kartheek has recently worked in industries like Automotive, Manufacturing, and Information Technology.
Kartheek has recently worked in business areas like Audit, Quality Assurance, and Information Technology.
Kartheek holds a Master in Mechatronics and Cyber-Physical Systems from Deggendorf Institute of Technology and a Bachelor in Mechatronics and Robotics from Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Technology.
Kartheek has 2 certificates. These include: Automotive cybersecurity Expert and Functional safety engineer.
Kartheek is immediately available full-time for suitable projects.
Daily rate distribution
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The median daily rate is the middle value of all daily rates — half of comparable freelancers charge less, half charge more. Unlike the average, it is barely affected by outliers.
Calculated based on our freelancers’ daily rates as of 10 Sep 2026. Actual rates may vary depending on seniority level, experience, skill specialization, project complexity, and engagement length.
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