How IIT Graduates Build a Successful Engineering Career at Denso in Japan: Reasons for Working at a Japanese Company, Rewards, and Future Aspirations

DENSO Corporation is renowned as one of the world’s leading automotive parts manufacturers. In recent years, DENSO has leveraged its accumulated expertise to venture beyond the automotive field such as electric vehicles (EVs), hydrogen energy, autonomous driving, and smart agriculture.

DENSO is also deeply committed to nurturing the next generation of technicians and engineers. Employees from diverse backgrounds are the driving force behind DENSO's innovations.

DENSO began hiring from the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) in 2018 and continues until now. DENSO plans to further expand its global recruitment efforts to support its growth on a global scale.

Guest:
Aman Gupta
Anandita Bendigeri
Software engineers at Service PF Dept./ Integrated Systems R&D Div. / Electronics Systems Function Unit / Mobility Electronics Business Group

Interview & Edit:
Risa Nakagawa

①Introduction

— Could you please introduce yourself briefly?

Aman: Thank you for interviewing me today. My name is Aman. I graduated from IIT Hyderabad with a major in Computer Science in 2017. Right after graduation, I came to Japan to pursue my master's degree at Keio University, focusing on Media Design.

During my studies, I realized Japan is a global leader in technology. Companies like Nintendo and Sony have always been part of my life, even when I was in India, though I didn’t fully realize it until I came here. 

After completing my master's, I joined Denso as a full-time software engineer. It has been almost five years, and I really enjoy my work here.

Anandita: My name is Anandita. I graduated from IIT Hyderabad in 2020, and now I work at Denso in the Integrated Systems R&D Division as a software engineer. I was recruited directly from campus for the Denso Corporation in Japan’s Tokyo branch.

②Why I Decided to Work for This Company in Japan

— Could you tell me what made you decide to come to Japan? I’d also like to know what influenced your decision to join Denso.

Aman: I learned that QR codes, which are the backbone of India’s UPI financial system, were developed in Japan. This made me recognize Japan’s significant contributions to technology, and I decided to be part of this innovation.

Anandita: During college, we were exposed to several Japanese companies, and that’s when I realized Japan had a lot of opportunities for software engineers.  I also heard Japan was safe and convenient, so I decided to seize the opportunity to work here.

During the interview, I was asked about the projects I’d worked on, and they also presented some of their projects. I found them quite interesting, which made me want to be a part of it. Additionally, the incentives they offered were attractive to me.

Risa: What kind of projects were you shown?

Anandita: One of the projects was related to motion detection in cars, aiming to avoid accidents using motion sensors. These sensors detect obstacles and stop the car to prevent collisions.

Anandita decided to work in Japan right after she graduate university.

③Starting an Engineering Career at Denso

— I’ve heard that you had to stay in India for a while before coming to Japan. How was that experience?

Anandita: Denso was very supportive. Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, they ensured we had the employment we were promised. They provided us with contracts at Denso’s India branch and offered us housing. They did everything they could to bring us to Japan as soon as possible.

Risa: When you were in India, were you working remotely with the team in Japan?

Anandita: Yes, I was working remotely with the team in Japan. The team was very inclusive, and I felt welcomed. Everyone spoke English, and they gave us ample time to study and understand the work before jumping into projects. It was a smooth transition.

Risa: Are there other foreigners in your team?

Anandita: Yes, we have team members from India, Singapore, and the U.S., so it’s quite diverse.

— Aman, how was your experience when you first joined the company? How did you adjust to working in Japan?

Aman: When I was pursuing my master's, interviewed with several companies, many of which required me to know Japanese. However, Denso allowed me to work in English, which was a huge relief. 

In the beginning, meetings were conducted in Japanese, but my manager would translate everything I needed to know. They gave me plenty of time to learn, and now, five years later, I’m still enjoying my time at Denso.

Risa: So, you’ve been able to focus on your job and continue learning. 

④Projects and Job Satisfaction in R&D team

— Have you been on the same team throughout your time at Denso?

Aman: I spent the first two years in a different team, but when the project ended, I moved to the team I’m currently with, and it’s been three years now.

Diverse work environment in Denso gives them relief, which get the best out of employees.

Risa: Could you tell me more about your current project?

Aman: Initially, my work focused on cloud technologies like AWS, Docker, and Kubernetes. My role involved deploying code to ensure it was scalable and could support millions of users. 

After moving to my current team, I’ve gained experience with the full stack—front-end development, back-end development, and cloud architecture. Today, I’m confident in all aspects of software engineering and I appreciate it.

Anandita: We work on the same project. Essentially, we create software that enables developers to build applications for use inside cars. This involves cloud architecture, embedded systems, and end-to-end full-stack prototyping, including front-end, back-end, and cloud security.

— What do you enjoy most about your job? What do you find most rewarding?

Anandita: Since we are in the R&D division, we begin by conducting research, and then we build the product from scratch. It takes approximately 3 to 6 months to complete projects.

It’s incredibly satisfying to see a project take shape and become something valuable.

Aman: I agree. Starting from research and developing a functional product gives a strong sense of accomplishment. Additionally, in our team, we have the freedom to propose new technologies or ideas, and our manager is always open to considering them. This openness makes the work environment very rewarding.

Risa: I can imagine it is rewarding to see a concept that has taken a long time to develop take shape.

⑤Proud of the company and future career at Denso

— You've both worked at this company for several years now. What aspects of the company are you proud of?

Anandita: I believe they offer flexibility with time, and they give engineers plenty of opportunities to learn. If you're proactive, they're very supportive in helping you grow.

Aman: Personally, I'm proud of how Denso handled the COVID-19 pandemic. Personally, I'm proud of how Denso handled the COVID-19 pandemic. I've seen how global companies responded with layoffs and salary cuts, but Japan was different. 

In Denso, they didn’t reduce salaries or let people go. I really appreciate how they made us feel secure during such uncertain times. It’s something that makes me proud of the company.

Both of them mention the supportive treatment in DENSO.

— Next, I'd like to hear about your career plans. What challenges would you like to take on within the company? Or what are your goals for the future?

Anandita: In recent projects, I’ve been deeply involved in cloud technologies and creating cloud architectures. My goal over the next few years is to specialize in this area, so that I can become a point of contact within the company, where people can approach me for my expertise.

Aman: I want Denso to be a leader in software. Currently, everyone knows Denso from the hardware they make for the Toyota but I want to make it famous for software in the future. 

So that's the long-term goal. But yeah, I want to be part of it. 

Risa: That sounds like an exciting path. 

⑥Life Outside of Work

— Could you share a bit about your personal life outside of work? How do you spend your free time in Japan?

Anandita:  Initially, it was a bit challenging to find people to connect with, but I eventually started attending events related to my interests, such as art meetups and dance gatherings.

I discovered new friends through these activities, and now I have a solid group of friends in Japan who I regularly spend time with. Most of my free time is spent at a dance studio where I practice hip-hop, and I also enjoy participating in social dance events. It’s been a great way to stay active and meet new people.

Risa: That’s great! So you spend your weekends dancing? What kind of dance do you enjoy?

Anandita: Yeah, mostly in the dance studio with friends. I love hip-hop. It’s something I didn’t really have a chance to explore back in India because I was so focused on studying. But now, in Japan, I have the time and the financial freedom to pursue it.

Risa: That sounds fun! Aman, you’ve been in Japan for a long time. How have your hobbies changed over time since you've been here?

Aman: I’ve been in Japan for about seven years now, so things have definitely changed.

In the beginning, I used to go out clubbing, hiking with friends, and hanging out with my international colleagues. After joining Denso, I started cycling as a new hobby.

Now, I regularly do long rides—sometimes 100 kilometers. Japan has excellent cycling infrastructure with dedicated bike lanes, which is something I never experienced in India.

Risa: Japan has so many beautiful mountains and lakes. Do you also hang out with your colleagues outside of work?

Aman: Yeah, sometimes. We sometimes organize Indian festivals and meetups at our homes. It’s a wonderful way to stay connected with our culture and build a sense of community here in Japan.

Hobbies in weekends are also a part of fun life in Japan. 

⑦Learning the Japanese Language is also helpful

— Did you need to learn Japanese for your daily life, or was it easy to get by without it?

Anandita: In my first two years, I learned Japanese and managed to pass the N4 level of the JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test). While English is often used at work, having a basic understanding of Japanese has been very helpful, especially when I’m traveling alone or in situations where English isn’t available.

Risa: Did you also use English during your master’s studies here?

Aman: Yes, most of the presentations and coursework were conducted in English. However, I had the opportunity to practice Japanese with my peers, which was a valuable experience.

Risa: Did you take the JLPT while you were studying?

Aman: I did take it while I was in my master’s program, achieving an N5 level. Even though I’ve progressed beyond that, it was a good starting point.

Every kid in India watches Doraemon, which is very popular. When I came to Japan, I realized that Japanese people watch it too and it’s originally from Japan. I started watching it in Japanese instead of Hindi, and it’s been a great way to improve my language skills.

Risa: That’s an excellent way to learn Japanese! 

⑧Conclusion and Advice for Future Engineers

— Do you have any advice for people who might want to pursue a similar career in Japan? Do you have any messages for students at IIT?

Anandita: Be enthusiastic and curious. So curiosity brings you opportunities.

Be open to new learnings and experiences. Don't be lazy.

Aman: Be enthusiastic and ask questions. 

When you first join a company, that’s really the best time to ask as many questions as you need, without any fear. Ask a question as much as you can.  

Learn, be open to learning. 

Risa: Thank you both for sharing your experiences and insights today. It was a pleasure talking with you, and I’m sure many people will find your stories inspiring.