20 hrs ago
Pradip Thorat’s Journey From Rural Maharashtra to Global Building Automation
Pradip Thorat is an engineer who helps large buildings use heating, cooling and control systems more effectively.
He began by designing cleaner cooking technology for rural families in Maharashtra.
Later, he worked on controls for hospitals, airports, schools, courthouses and other major buildings.
His jobs took him from India to projects across the United States and the Middle East.
He often improves old buildings instead of replacing every part.
This can save useful equipment and reduce waste.
Thorat also writes about building-system security, health, artificial intelligence and energy savings.
He has received professional recognition and published a book about building automation.
His career connects practical rural engineering with sophisticated systems used in global buildings.
Pradip Thorat began his career developing wood-gasifier cookstoves and studying indoor air pollution in rural Maharashtra.
His work at Johnson Controls and Honeywell Automation expanded into HVAC design, building controls, commissioning and retrofit projects.
He has contributed to projects including facilities in Doha, Mumbai, California, Arkansas, Pennsylvania and Tennessee.
Since 2022, Thorat has led retrofit and control-engineering work for courthouses, educational institutions and research facilities in California.
His published work and credentials focus on building automation, cybersecurity, health, energy efficiency and sustainable design.
- Who
- Pradip Thorat, a building-automation and controls engineer.
- What
- A career spanning rural clean-cooking technology, HVAC and building-automation design, retrofit engineering, technical publications and professional credentials.
- Where
- His work began in rural Maharashtra and later covered projects in India, Doha, California, Arkansas, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and other locations.
- When
- His career included Johnson Controls from 2007 to 2015, Honeywell Automation from 2016 to 2022, Next Level HVAC Energy Management System from 2022 through early 2026, and NRG Controls beginning in April 2026; his book was published in August 2026.
- Why
- He focuses on designing practical, sustainable and secure systems, often reusing serviceable equipment in existing buildings rather than replacing everything.
Key facts
- Early work
- Developed wood-gasifier cookstoves and tested indoor air pollution for rural and semi-urban communities in Maharashtra.
- Johnson Controls
- Worked from 2007 to 2015, progressing from HVAC estimation to DDC system design, network architecture and commissioning.
- Honeywell Automation
- Served as Lead Engineer from 2016 to 2022 on HVAC and building-automation systems.
- Current role
- Joined NRG Controls as Senior Controls Specialist in April 2026.
- Retrofit approach
- Reuses existing field devices, wiring and panel enclosures when they remain serviceable.
- Book
- Published Building Automation System: Design, Integration and Practice in August 2026.
- Credentials
- Holds Fellowship of the Institution of Engineers (India), IEEE Senior Membership and a LEED Green Associate credential.
Quotes
Pradip Thorat
Building-automation engineer and controls specialist
“True engineering excellence in the modern era isn't just about making systems run. It's about anticipating how those systems will scale, defend themselves against operational failure, and reduce environmental load over a multi-decade life cycle.”
republicworld.com
“Every time I walk into an old mechanical room, I don't see an outdated building. I see an opportunity. Tearing it down and starting over is rarely the sustainable choice. My job is to make what already exists smarter.”
republicworld.com









