Ashok Kudva shares his remarkable journey with Quest Global, from his early days in 2005 to his return after exploring new opportunities. Driven by a passion for mechanical engineering and leadership, Ashok highlights his contributions to the aerospace and energy sectors, his growth as a leader, and the profound impact he continues to make at Quest Global. His story is a testament to the company’s commitment to fostering talent and innovation while staying true to its core values.
Can you share the story of your early years at Quest Global and what inspired you to join the company initially?
Ashok Kudva: It feels like just yesterday—I joined Quest Global on December 10th, 2005. That year marked a pivotal moment in my career.
To provide some background, my passion for mechanical engineering was inspired by my uncle, who worked at the Bokaro Steel Plant. Despite the Y2K boom, I pursued mechanical engineering at MIT Manipal, followed by a master’s degree at IIT Chennai. My early roles at TCS and GE solidified my technical foundation, but it was at Quest Global that I found the perfect blend of engineering and leadership opportunities.
I was drawn to Quest Global because it was growing rapidly and needed people who could help expand the engineering services business globally. The chance to hone my newly discovered leadership skills while staying true to my passion for engineering made it an unforgettable interview experience.
What were some of the most significant projects/achievements during your time at Quest Global?
Ashok Kudva: I started as a foundational member of the Aerospace and Defense client team and even spent a year in Bristol, learning and supporting the client. Quest Global provided an excellent platform for a young professional eager to learn.
As I progressed, I realized that at Quest Global, if you have the passion and deliver results, everything else falls into place. From initially focusing on Defense, we expanded into civilian aerospace, and soon I was part of a 1,000+ strong engineering team. My journey also included participating in a leadership program that groomed the next generation of leaders and setting up a new delivery center in Singapore—an exciting opportunity for my career.
What motivated you to step away from Quest Global?
Ashok Kudva: After 13 years of tackling complex challenges in the aerospace sector at Quest Global, I sought something more—an experience where I could further discover my purpose. I felt I had achieved what I set out to at Quest Global and began exploring other opportunities.
Can you describe some key learnings you gained during your 4.5 years away?
Ashok Kudva: Having spent most of my career at Quest Global, this switch provided a valuable perspective on how larger companies operate. During this time, I matured, gained diverse insights into leadership, and reflected on the broader impact of my work.
What drew you back to Quest Global?
Ashok Kudva: After spending so much time at one company, it becomes like home. Even when I left in 2019, I felt I would return someday, smarter and better. In 2023, when I was offered the leadership role within the energy vertical, I knew it was time to come back home. It was a new challenge, and I was eager to prove myself once again.
Why did you choose the energy industry?
Ashok Kudva: The energy sector is poised to be crucial for at least the next half-century. We’re advancing into sophisticated technologies aimed at conserving and transmitting power more efficiently. The smart grid is a major focus, with only a few companies exploring this space. At Quest Global, we’re partnering with these pioneering companies, offering immense opportunities for young engineers.
How has the company changed since you first started?
Ashok Kudva: When I joined in 2005, we were about 500+ engineers; today, we’ve grown to over 20,000 and continue to expand rapidly.
Quest Global has evolved significantly but remains rooted in its core values. The humility and hunger that defined the company when I first joined are still evident today. Listening and problem-solving are equally valued, creating a supportive environment as we grow. We’ve strategically expanded into new verticals and geographies, and our internal systems and recruitment processes have become more robust, reflecting our adaptability to global trends.
Personally, I’ve evolved from Ashok 1.0 to Ashok 2.0, understanding the broader impact of decisions and adapting accordingly.
What does making a difference mean to you?
Ashok Kudva: At Quest Global, making a difference is more than just a goal—it’s a daily practice. From day one, I was given opportunities to drive change and innovate. Building teams, setting up new centers, and engaging deeply with Fortune 500 clients have all been part of my journey. The support and encouragement from my managers have been pivotal in shaping my career. They recognized my passion and empowered me to pursue my vision.
My return to Quest was driven by the same passion to make a difference. I’ve always felt that my work here had a significant impact, not just on the company, but also on our clients and the broader community. Whether it’s setting up a new center in Singapore or supporting critical projects for major aerospace companies, every step of my journey at Quest Global has been about making meaningful contributions.
What advice would you give to young engineers who are starting their careers and aspire to make a difference?
Ashok Kudva: Continuous learning is essential. Reading, coaching, and mentoring are invaluable tools that unfortunately are often lacking in our education and corporate systems. It’s important to alleviate the fear of failure and provide a safety net for your team to learn from their mistakes, as it’s crucial for growth and innovation.
My journey with Quest Global has been one of passion, growth, and return. The company’s commitment to innovation, best practices, and leadership development has made it my home. The connections made and the experiences gained have shaped my career, and I look forward to continuing this exciting journey with Quest Global.
We are Quest Global. We’re in the business of engineering, but what we’re really building is a brighter future. It’s not just what we do, but why we do it that makes us different. We believe engineering has the unique opportunity to solve the problems of today that stand in the way of tomorrow. For more than 25 years, we have strived to be the most trusted partner for the world’s hardest engineering problems. As a global organization headquartered in Singapore, we live and work in 18 countries, with 78 global delivery centers and offices, driven by 20,000+ extraordinary employees who make the impossible possible every day.
Quest Global delivers world-class end-to-end engineering solutions by leveraging our deep industry knowledge and digital expertise. By bringing together technologies and industries, alongside the contributions of diverse individuals and their areas of expertise, we are able to solve problems better, faster. This multi-dimensional approach enables us to solve the most critical and large-scale challenges across the aerospace & defence, automotive, energy, hi-tech, healthcare, medical devices, rail and semiconductor industries.
It has come to our attention that scammers have tried to mislead people by fictitiously claiming to be employees of Quest Global or posing as authorized recruitment partners. These entities are misguiding job-seekers by promising well-placed roles with our company and asking candidates to pay for a certification course with a promise of reimbursement once they have joined. Kindly note, Quest Global conducts a formal interview process in our search for extraordinary people. We would NEVER ask candidates to pay for certifications at any stage of the recruitment process.
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