Senior Manager • Zepto • IIT Delhi
Aditya
Narayan Rout
Building systems that scale.
From enterprise operations at Zepto to research at the University of Cambridge and Max Planck Institute, I build scalable systems across strategy, engineering, leadership, and execution.
₹L+
Scholarships
+
Students Impacted
TB
Cloud Data
+
SKUs Automated
About
Building systems
that scale beyond
individuals.
I enjoy solving problems where ownership is high, ambiguity is unavoidable, and execution matters. My journey spans engineering, operations, research, leadership and digital transformation— from building enterprise systems at Zepto and Piramal Pharma to conducting research with the University of Cambridge and the Max Planck Institute.
Beyond technical work, I believe the biggest leverage comes from building organizations, mentoring people and creating systems that continue generating value long after they're built.
Experience
Building products, systems and organizations.
Every role added a new layer of leadership, execution and technical depth.
Jun 2026 – Present
Zepto
Senior Manager I – Special Projects
Bengaluru
Driving high-impact strategic initiatives.
Building scalable operational systems.
Leading cross-functional execution.
May 2025 – Jul 2025
Piramal Pharma
Global Emerging Leaders Intern
Ahmedabad
Designed 105 TB cloud backup architecture.
Reduced storage cost by 33%.
Built OneClick inventory platform for 40K+ SKUs.
2025 – 2026
Chemical Engineering Society
Overall Coordinator
IIT Delhi
Led 30+ student leaders.
Created ChemE Library for 600+ students.
Founded Alumni & Career Cell.
2024
Max Planck Institute
Research Assistant
Germany
Developed optical simulations.
Contributed to PyLlama.
Collaborated with Cambridge researchers.
Projects
Building solutions with measurable impact.
A selection of projects spanning enterprise systems, operations, research, and student leadership.
Piramal Pharma • 2025
Enterprise Cloud Backup Architecture
Designed a scalable 105 TB enterprise backup architecture, reducing storage costs while improving resilience and disaster recovery.
Piramal Pharma • 2025
OneClick Inventory Platform
Designed an internal inventory management platform handling over 40,000 SKUs with improved usability and operational efficiency.
IIT Delhi • 2025
ChemE Library
Built a centralized academic repository providing students with easy access to departmental resources, preparation material, and academic guidance.
Research
Research that bridges computation, experimentation and engineering.
From international collaborations to developing scientific instrumentation, my work focuses on solving challenging engineering problems through modelling, experimentation and computational tools.
May 2024 – Jul 2024
Structural Colours & Optical Modelling of Cellulose Nano-Crystals
Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces × University of Cambridge
International Research Collaboration
Collaborated with interdisciplinary researchers from the Max Planck Institute and the University of Cambridge to advance computational modelling of defects in structurally coloured cholesteric cellulose nano-crystal (CNC) films, combining experimental fabrication techniques with simulation-driven optical analysis.
Key Contributions
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams from Max Planck Institute and the University of Cambridge on modelling defects in cholesteric CNC films.
- Mastered fabrication techniques for structural colours using cholesteric Cellulose Nano-Crystals (CNCs).
- Designed and developed an enhanced version of the PyLlama Python library for simulating defective and non-ideal CNC films.
- Contributed to computational workflows for advanced optical simulations and material characterization.
Present
Microfluidics & Flow Instability
IIT Delhi
Prof. M.K.S. Verma
Conducting research on deformable microfluidic systems by integrating experimental fabrication with multiphysics simulations to investigate diffusion, deformation, flow instability and fluid-structure interactions.
Key Contributions
- Fabricated PDMS microtubes for experimental microfluidics.
- Developed 10+ COMSOL Multiphysics models for deformable microtubes.
- Investigated diffusion-driven hydrophobicity, tube deformation and mixing behaviour.
- Built an in-house Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) software package, reducing system cost from ₹1.5 Cr to ₹45K.
Apr 2024 – Present
Development of Cost-Effective Micro-PIV System
IIT Delhi
Prof. M.K.S. Verma
Leading the development of a low-cost Particle Image Velocimetry system for high-accuracy flow measurements in flexible microfluidic systems.
Key Contributions
- Designed a Micro-PIV system nearly 12× more cost-effective than commercial alternatives.
- Achieved 96% measurement accuracy.
- Successfully deployed in the IIT Delhi Microfluidics Laboratory.
- First-author manuscript submitted to Experiments in Fluids (Springer).
Leadership
Building teams, systems and long-term impact.
Leadership isn't about holding positions—it's about creating opportunities, empowering people and leaving organizations stronger than you found them.
May 2024 – May 2025
Overall Coordinator
Chemical Engineering Society (ChES), IIT Delhi
Led the Chemical Engineering Society at IIT Delhi with a vision of strengthening the bridge between students, faculty, research, industry and alumni. Focused on building sustainable systems, increasing departmental visibility and creating opportunities that continue beyond a single tenure.
15+
Initiatives Led
600+
Students Impacted
50+
Projects Allocated
2
Student–Faculty Dinners
Vision
- Strengthen student–faculty engagement
- Increase research and industry exposure
- Build sustainable systems instead of one-time events
- Improve departmental visibility within and outside IIT Delhi
Key Initiatives
- Organized a three-day orientation and academic-research series for incoming students
- Led ChES participation in IIT Delhi's Tour of Stalls, introducing Chemical Engineering to over 1,200 incoming students
- Organized Research Internship Guidance Day to support students pursuing research careers
- Coordinated industry visits including IOCL Panipat and IAChE collaborations
- Hosted alumni talks, industry sessions and networking events
- Introduced two Student–Teacher Interaction Dinners within a single academic year
- Initiated collaboration with Aspen Society for free Aspen certification opportunities
- Organized community-building events including Chem Jamming
Systems Built
- Expanded ChemE Library into a centralized academic repository serving 600+ students
- Scaled the Student Research Project initiative from ~20 to 50+ applications
- Established the Alumni & Career Cell for long-term alumni engagement
- Revamped the official ChES website
- Initiated faculty website development projects led by students
- Strengthened LinkedIn and digital outreach strategy
Impact
- 600+ students supported through ChemE Library
- 1200+ prospective students reached through Tour of Stalls
- 2 Student–Faculty dinners conducted in one academic year
- 50+ student research applications facilitated
- Introduced long-term governance improvements including Co-Overall Coordinator role
- Strengthened collaboration between students, faculty, industry and alumni
Core Skills
Leadership Journey
2023-24
Executive
Started contributing to departmental initiatives and student engagement.
2024-25
Research Coordinator
Led research-focused initiatives and expanded student participation.
2025-26
Overall Coordinator
Directed strategy, operations and long-term institutional initiatives.
Recognition
Recognition earned by building, leading and solving meaningful problems.
Across academics, leadership, research, innovation and sports, these recognitions represent milestones in a journey of continuous learning and impact.
May 2026
Co-curricular and Academic Interaction Council, IIT Delhi
Best Overall Coordinator of Departmental Societies
Recognized as the Best Overall Coordinator among all departmental societies at IIT Delhi for leading transformative academic, research, outreach, industry and student engagement initiatives through the Chemical Engineering Society.
April 2026
Department of Chemical Engineering, IIT Delhi
Pride of the Department
Awarded for exceptional all-round contribution to the Department of Chemical Engineering through academic excellence, international research, institutional leadership and long-term impact on departmental growth.
April 2026
Department of Chemical Engineering, IIT Delhi
Distinguished Academic Growth
Recognized for demonstrating the highest sustained academic improvement in the graduating batch while maintaining strong research contributions and institutional leadership.
Research & Innovation
Recognitions for transforming ideas into impactful engineering.
Research has always been central to my journey—from presenting work at national conferences to building award-winning engineering prototypes.
March 2025
Winner — ANVESHANA 2025 National Prototype Competition
BMS Institute of Technology & Management
October 2024
Best Oral Presentation — SCHEMCON 2024
Indian Institute of Chemical Engineers
Additional Recognition
Consistency across diverse pursuits.
Beyond leadership and research, these recognitions reflect sustained performance in academics, outreach, competitions and athletics.
2026
INOX Fellowship
IIT Delhi
2025–26
Semester Merit Award (Twice)
IIT Delhi
2025
Outstanding Contribution to Outreach Initiatives
IIT Delhi
2025
Globe Capital Foundation Award
IIT Delhi
2025
Runner-up — ChemE Research Expo
TRYST IIT Delhi
2025
Bronze Medal — Weightlifting General Championship
Board for Sports Activities, IIT Delhi
Journey
The foundations of a lifelong pursuit of excellence.
Every milestone built upon the previous one—from school-level academic achievements to national competitions and leadership at IIT Delhi.
2022
State Rank 16
Ranked 16th in Odisha among more than 78,000 students in the Class XII Board Examination.
2021
PMST Scholar
Qualified all three stages of the Pathani Samanta Mathematics Scholarship Test.
2020
State Rank 9
Secured State Rank 9 in the Odisha State Science Seminar organised by BITM Kolkata.
2020
District Topper
Topped Cuttack district in the Mega Intelligence Test.
2019
State Rank 16
Secured State Rank 16 in the Odisha Secondary School Teachers' Association Talent Search Examination.
2017
Subdivision Topper
Secured first position in the National Rural Talent Search Examination.
Let's Connect
Let's build something meaningful together.
I'm always excited to collaborate on ambitious engineering, AI, research and product ideas.
Get in Touch
Whether you have an exciting opportunity, startup idea, engineering challenge or simply want to connect, I'd love to hear from you.
Current Status
Senior Manager
Zepto
Bengaluru, India
Always happy to connect with people building meaningful things.
Resume
Download my latest resume containing experience, research, projects and achievements.
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