Community Spotlight: Swetha Bandaru
Swetha Bandaru
From winning a university gold medal in aeronautical engineering in India to shaping the next generation of electric vehicles at Volvo Cars in Sweden, Dr. Swetha Bandaru’s path is a study in technical excellence. As a Senior System Engineer and IEEE Senior Member with over 12 years of experience across India, the UK, and Sweden, she operates at the cutting edge of engineering, software and future mobility technologies. In addition to building her technical expertise, she remains deeply committed to mentoring and opening doors for the next generation of women in tech.
In our latest Community Spotlight interview, Swetha reveals how her journey is defined as much by her academic and professional milestones as her resilience through life’s hardest transitions. She reflects on how she navigated those pivotal moments and what has kept her going through her toughest times.
Tell us about yourself and your current role.
I am Dr. Swetha Bandaru, a Mechanical Engineering PhD and Senior System Engineer at Volvo Cars in Gothenburg, where I focus on the verification and validation of electric vehicle systems. My work focuses on vehicle integration, software validation, wake-up and shutdown functions, lifecycle modes, hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) validation, and ensuring reliable, energy-efficient vehicle behaviour in modern electric cars.
My engineering journey began with a B.Tech in Aeronautical Engineering from JNTU Kakinada in India, where I was awarded the university gold medal for securing the first rank across all affiliated colleges. I later completed an M.Tech in Thermal Engineering and a PhD in Mechanical Engineering, focusing on emission reduction technologies and selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system optimisation.
Over the past 12 or so years, I have worked across automotive engineering, electric vehicles, HIL validation, engine systems and software-driven mobility solutions in India, the UK and Sweden. In addition, I contribute to the industry through research publications, guest lectures, peer reviews and professional communities, and I am proud to be an IEEE Senior Member.
What first sparked your interest in tech?
My interest in technology started with a fascination for how machines work and how engineering can solve real-world problems. Choosing Aeronautical Engineering for my bachelor’s degree was my first step towards understanding complex systems. Receiving the university gold medal further gave me the confidence to pursue ambitious goals in engineering.
As my career progressed, I became fascinated by how traditional mechanical systems were being transformed into intelligent, software-driven products. Working in the automotive industry exposed me to the integration of mechanics, electronics, software, communication systems and data.
That evolution—from mechanical engineering to intelligent mobility—continues to inspire me. Today, I enjoy working at the intersection of engineering, software and future mobility technologies.
What challenges have you faced in your journey so far, and how have you navigated them?
The most challenging period of my life occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021.
I was pregnant with my daughter while working full-time in the automotive industry. During the eighth month of my pregnancy, I lost my father. He had dedicated his life to supporting me and my sister, and after his passing, I took on the responsibility of supporting my mother while preparing to become a mother myself.
After my daughter was born, I navigated a difficult postpartum period while also managing the closure of my father’s business and supporting my mother through a knee replacement surgery. Around the same time, my husband moved to the UK to pursue his master’s degree, making me the primary income earner for the family.
Despite these challenges, I was determined to create new opportunities for my family and my daughter. I looked at international career options and ultimately chose Sweden because it offered a strong environment for both technological innovation and family life.
After moving to Sweden, I joined Volvo Cars in January 2023. One of the hardest parts of that transition was spending four months away from my daughter while establishing our new life. It was emotionally difficult, but it also strengthened my conviction that resilience is about moving forward, even through the most challenging moments.
Looking back, I realise that growth often happens when we think we cannot continue, and somehow find the strength to do so.
Looking back at your career so far, what is the one thing you are most unapologetically proud of?
I am most proud of continuing to grow, learn and move forward despite life’s challenges.
From being a university gold medalist in Aeronautical Engineering to completing a PhD, contributing to research, becoming an IEEE Senior Member and building an international engineering career in Sweden, my path has not always been straightforward, but it has been deeply meaningful.
I am proud that I never allowed difficult circumstances to define my future. More than any title or achievement, I am proud that I kept learning, adapting and creating opportunities not only for myself, but also for my family and for others who may see their own journey reflected in mine.
How would you sum up your journey so far?
My journey has been shaped by engineering, motherhood, resilience and continuous learning. I have learnt that success is not about having an easy path; it is about continuing forward, even during difficult times.
Who are the champions in your life who helped you see your own potential when you might have doubted it?
My father was one of the biggest champions in my life. He deeply valued education and worked tirelessly to create opportunities for my sister and me. Many of my achievements today are built on the sacrifices he made.
My husband has also been a very important pillar in my journey. He has consistently encouraged me to pursue my ambitions and supported my career decisions. When I decided to move to Sweden, he trusted me completely as I established a new home and pursued my professional dreams.
That trust meant a lot to me, particularly because moving to another country and rebuilding my career while raising a young child was a major step. Having someone who believes in your potential and says, “Go for it, I support you,” can make a huge difference.
My daughter is a great source of motivation. Many of the difficult decisions I have made were about securing a brighter future for her. She reminds me daily why I must continue learning, growing and challenging myself.
Finally, I have been fortunate to have mentors, professors, colleagues and leaders who have encouraged me along the way.
How do you strive to lift others up as you progress in your career?
I believe that knowledge becomes more valuable when it is shared. I try to support students, young engineers and women in technology through mentoring, guest lectures, technical discussions and sharing insights from industry and research.
Sometimes, a simple conversation, words of encouragement, or a shared experience can help someone recognise their potential. I hope to contribute to creating more pathways for women to grow and lead in engineering and technology.
What advice would you give to others building a long-term career in tech?
Stay curious and never stop learning. Technology evolves quickly, and the ability to adapt is just as important as technical expertise.
Your career may not always follow a straight path. There may be moments of uncertainty, change or personal challenges. But every experience teaches you something valuable.
Believe in your capabilities, keep building your skills, seek mentors, support others, and remember that growth is a continuous journey.
Being part of the Gothenburg tech scene, what is one thing you think makes our local community unique or one thing you’d love to see improve?
What I appreciate most about Gothenburg is the strong connection between technology, industry, innovation and collaboration.
The city has a vibrant ecosystem around mobility, sustainability and engineering, and communities such as Women in Tech Gothenburg create spaces where people can connect, learn and support one another.
I would love to see more opportunities for international professionals, women and underrepresented groups to step into technical leadership roles and actively shape the future of technology together.