When a steel plant’s automation system throws up an error, production doesn’t wait. Siddharth Mate, as Senior Customer Support Engineer at Herzog Automation, is one of the people on the other end of the calls diagnosing what went wrong, walking the client through a fix, and making sure it doesn’t happen again. “Understanding the fundamentals is more important than rushing through tasks. Consistency, attention to detail, and clear communication really make a difference at work,” the Mumbai based professional tells The Global Indian. The numbers bear that out. He currently manages a steel automation project worth ₹30 crores and has helped bring down client issue resolution time by 30 percent since joining Herzog in 2023.
Sidddharth studied Mechanical Engineering at A.C. Patil College of Engineering in Navi Mumbai and completed an MBA in Sales and Marketing from DY Patil University in Mumbai.
The early years
Siddharth’s career began the way many engineering careers do, with internships. Flamingo Pharmaceuticals in Navi Mumbai, then Dortmund Laboratories in Kalyan Dombivli. He watched, and learned from the opportunities.
His first proper job was as a Project Engineer at Deliberty Technicals, working remotely on pharmaceutical sector projects. It meant coordinating teams across functions, tracking timelines, managing the gap between what was planned and what actually happened on the ground. His projects were delivered on time and he says he was also able to cut project delays by 20 percent through risk assessments.
Then he moved into technical support at Hinditron Corporate Systems. Working directly with steel and cement industry clients, diagnosing problems, walking them through solutions, being the person on the other end of the line when something stopped working. This felt like a better fit to him. In nearly two years, he mentions that maintained a 95 percent customer satisfaction rate. Not by doing anything spectacular, but by responding quickly, communicating clearly, and not leaving people hanging.
The job he is in now
Siddharth joined Herzog Automation in November 2023. Since then, he has completed one steel automation project and is currently managing another worth ₹30 crores. He and his team have also brought down client issue resolution time by 30 percent. It’s a kind of number that comes from months of behind-the-scenes coordination rather than any single fix.
“One of the most rewarding parts of my work is helping customers succeed,” he says. “Whether through technical troubleshooting or product training sessions, I focus on making complex systems easier to understand and operate.”
It is, in practice, a role that sits somewhere between engineer and relationship manager, and he has found a way to be comfortable in both halves of it.
The time he had no choice but to figure it out
Recalling a challenging time in his career, Siddharth recalls that there was a moment when a task landed on his desk that required tools and systems he had never worked with. The deadline was not flexible.
“I had to quickly upskill, learn from documentation, and apply that knowledge in real time,” he recalls. “Successfully delivering the work not only boosted my confidence but also expanded my skill set significantly.”
It was not a dramatic story. There was no rescue, no last-minute cavalry. He just sat with the problem until he understood it well enough to solve it. In industries where a malfunctioning system can halt an entire plant, that ability to stay calm and work through unfamiliar territory is worth more than it might sound.
What he does when he logs off
On weekends, when he can manage it, Siddharth treks. Alone, by choice. It is not a group activity or something he organises rather something he genuinely enjoys and deliberately makes time for.
“Work-life balance is important to me because it keeps me productive and prevents burnout,” he says. “I plan my work efficiently and make sure I disconnect after work to recharge. At the same time, I’m flexible and ready to put in extra effort when required.”
Looking at the future
Siddharth is clear about what he is building toward. He is not looking to merely jump titles; he is looking to take on more and be trusted with it.
“My immediate goal is to grow into a role with more responsibility, where I can take ownership of tasks or projects,” he says. “I’m focusing on improving both my technical skills and my ability to make decisions so I can contribute more effectively.”
His cross-industry technical experience, a client-facing track record, project management background, and a business qualification is a combination that has potential. He is aware of that, and is actively exploring what opportunities might look like beyond his current role, including those abroad.
“Industries are evolving rapidly with automation and digital transformation,” he says. “And I’m excited to grow alongside that change.”
For someone who has spent his career keeping other people’s systems running smoothly, that quiet confidence in his own trajectory feels entirely in character. “In life, I’ve realized the importance of staying balanced and continuously learning from every experience,” he signs off.