Omkar Bhalekar is a Senior Network Engineer at Tesla, where he designs and secures scalable networks for cutting-edge electric vehicle manufacturing. With over a decade of experience, he specializes in bridging IT and OT systems, enabling seamless communication across Tesla’s smart factories. A graduate of Rochester Institute of Technology, Omkar’s expertise spans network security, IIoT, and SCADA systems, making him a key contributor to Tesla’s mission of innovation and environmental sustainability.
Omkar’s influence extends beyond his role at Tesla. As a Senior IEEE member, he has presented papers at international conferences, judged global hackathons, and peer-reviewed high-impact journals. He is also an active blogger, sharing his insights on platforms like RSAC and IEEE ComSoc. His contributions to the tech community reflect his passion for fostering innovation and mentoring future industry professionals.
Outside of work, Omkar is a passionate traveler and history enthusiast. He has explored Europe’s iconic landmarks, from the glaciers of Switzerland to the historic streets of Italy and Paris. A committed philanthropist, he volunteers with Lend-a-hand India, supporting education for specially-abled children. Whether innovating in the tech world or hiking glaciers, Omkar is driven by a desire to make a meaningful impact.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
I start with coffee and silence, no meetings in the first couple of hours. I try to schedule meetings after 10am unless if absolutely necessary. That’s when I get my most focused work done. I block off time for deep work, leave some buffer for chaos, and try to avoid multitasking (still working on that).
How do you bring ideas to life?
Firstly, I scribble a messy version and sketch it out. Since I am into designing networks for Factories, I like to visualize how the final version should look like, so I use tools like LucidChart and prototype a tiny piece of it. Then I bounce it off a couple of smart friends or colleagues. Feedback always sharpens the idea, and I like to welcome criticism and improvements provided they are logical and unbiased.
What’s one trend that excites you?
I’m really into AI-driven Autonomous infrastructure right now. Seeing networks, data centers, even vehicles getting smarter and self-driving is wild. It’s like we’re finally moving from managing to orchestrating. And there is more to AI than just creating and searching fast content. Just by the looks and the pace with which AI is touching each and every realm of our digital and physical worlds, if channelized correctly, it can prove to be a powerful enabler that will unlock the hidden potential of existing technologies.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
I do a quick weekly reset and revisit, what worked last week, what didn’t, what I want to focus on next. It’s like defragmenting my brain.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Relax. You don’t have to prove everything in your 20s. Just keep learning and enjoy the ride a bit more.
Tell us something you believe that almost nobody agrees with you on?
Many would disagree, but I believe perfection kills progress, especially in tech. While most people chase polished outcomes, I think rough ideas, quick prototypes, and even quick and dirty solutions are often what drives real innovation. Waiting for perfect conditions or flawless designs usually just delays impact. Get it working, then make it beautiful.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
Read books for yourself and write for others. Doesn’t matter if it’s ideas, rants, or goals. Reading helps me learn and organize my thoughts while writing helps me disseminate the knowledge with others and embrace feedback.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
I unplug. No screens. Just go outside, take a walk, listen to ambient music, or lie down and stare at the ceiling. I genuinely believe that turning it off and on again isn’t just IT advice, it’s life advice. Whether it’s your laptop, your project, or your entire week… sometimes a hard reboot is the best fix. People laugh, but it works.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
Being curious and asking the weird questions no one else is asking. It opens up better conversations, and sometimes even opportunities.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
I once overcomplicated a project thinking it would be future proof. Instead, it just slowed everything down. So, I learned to keep things simple. Less is more. You can’t be a perfectionist in your work, may be closer to perfection. So, I like to do things faster and move on to the next gig which helps me learn more.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
Omnia App, which is a one stop shop for all your needs. I would love to see an everything App, kind of like a digital Swiss Army knife. One tap, and you can check your bank balance, schedule a haircut, order your mom flowers, pay for your Uber, and get reminded to drink water. Because honestly, who has time to scroll through 45 apps just to adult properly. And the name OMNIA, because it means ‘everything’ in Latin, and conveniently, it partially spells my name too. So really, the universe wants me to build it.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
Hands down I would say Ansible. By writing simple playbooks, I can deploy, update, and manage hundreds of devices consistently and quickly, which saves time and lets me focus on higher-value engineering work.”
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
1).Autonomous and Predictive Network: The Future of Networking in the Age of AI.- Authored by me.
2). Beneath a Scarlet Sky by Mark Sullivan
Favorite Podcast: Packet Pushers Network Automation Nerds: Real, deep insights from practitioners shaping the future of networking.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
I love watching movies and series based on factual history. Most recent series I watched was American Primeval. It is a gritty, intense series rooted in real history, set during the early days of the American frontier. The show dives into the raw realities of survival, violence, cultural clashes, and identity in a world being built from scratch. What I liked most is that it doesn’t romanticize the past, it avoids fiction and leans into the harsh truths of how America was actually shaped. It’s bold, unfiltered, and incredibly portrayed.
Key learnings
- Always try to be around people who are more smarter than you.
- Intentional structure creates room for innovation and deep work.
- Asking better questions can be more powerful than having answers.
- Failure teaches simplicity and clarity.
- Writing and journaling are underrated tools for growth.
- Trends like AI-driven networks and Quantum Networking will shape the next decade.