Opus x Uplers: How Uplers Helped a Global Auto-Tech Giant Build Its India Team from
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Roles Hired0
Talent HiredAbout the company
Opus Inspection, a division of Sweden's Opus Group, is the world's largest vehicle inspection company, with operations spanning over 34 countries. With over 40 years of industry leadership, Opus has pioneered innovations in emissions testing, regulatory compliance, and intelligent vehicle support systems.
The company delivers large-scale, government-backed projects focused on making roads safer and the environment cleaner. Backed by a global team of over 2,600 professionals and a technology-first mindset, Opus continues to lead the charge in automotive compliance innovation across North America, Europe, and Asia.
Why did they come to Uplers?
Opus was looking to establish a cost-effective, high-quality engineering team in India, specifically in Ahmedabad, to complement their existing U.S. team. But previous attempts to build in Noida had failed, leaving them cautious.
During a discovery call with Uplers, they were impressed by the transparent hiring model, localized strategy, and long-term vision. What started as a single hire quickly evolved into a strategic 12-month contract-to-hire partnership to build an entire development pod offshore.
Solving Opus’ hiring challenges
- Hire senior .NET engineers with architectural depth
- Onsite in Ahmedabad
- U.S. shift timing (2:30 PM – 11:30 PM IST)
- Strong communication and leadership traits
- Meet deadlines tied to leadership visits
Challenges
- Onsite-Only Hiring in a Remote-First Market
Ahmedabad, like most tech cities post-pandemic, leans heavily toward hybrid or remote roles. Opus needed engineers who were not only highly skilled but also willing to work 100% onsite in U.S. time zone shifts. Senior engineers especially were hesitant to switch from flexible work models to full-time in-office roles.
- Unconventional Shift Timings
The required 2:30 PM to 11:30 PM IST shift created resistance from otherwise-qualified candidates, especially those with families or long commutes.
- High AI Cut-off That Filtered Out Strong Candidates
Opus appreciated Uplers’ stringent vetting process, combining AI assessments, live technical screenings, and cultural fit checks. However, they noticed strong candidates were being filtered out too early, even as their own engineers found the AI test especially tough.
- Brand Perception and Market Trust
Because Opus hadn’t hired in India before, their employer brand lacked visibility in the local market. Candidates were unsure about the company’s stability, leadership involvement, and long-term commitment, making it difficult to attract senior talent, especially for an onsite role.
- Tight Timelines and Hiring Velocity
Opus needed at least two hires ready before their MD’s India visit. Timelines were non-negotiable, and delays in client feedback could have derailed the process.
Uplers’ approach
We doubled down on hyperlocal sourcing, activated walk-in drives, and clearly communicated Opus’s long-term vision to instill confidence in the opportunity. We also positioned the brand with employer collateral and in-person meetings.
We pre-filtered candidates during sourcing and used real-time video screenings to evaluate commitment and time-shift flexibility upfront. This helped us avoid late-stage drop-offs and ensured alignment early in the process.
Rather than lowering standards, Uplers collaborated with Opus to calibrate expectations, layering AI insights with contextual evaluations. This ensured only high-quality talent made it through, while expanding the pool of qualified candidates.
We proactively bridged the trust gap by organizing in-person connects, sharing internal company material, and highlighting Opus’s global presence. We also supported them in office setup, onboarding logistics, and local engagements, building trust well beyond the job description.
We set up real-time WhatsApp groups with the client’s stakeholders, pushed structured follow-ups, and prioritized fast-moving profiles. This agile model allowed us to meet deadlines with quality intact.
About the talents
14
highly skilled engineers hired
Uplers helped Opus successfully onboard 14 engineers, across:
- Senior Software Engineers
- Backend Developers
- QA Engineers
- Long-term contract-to-hire roles
The engineers have been instrumental in building and maintaining vehicle inspection platforms, including two web applications. Their contributions are already in production and driving measurable value. Communication has been seamless, and the team integrates closely with U.S.-based stakeholders.
What’s next?
The India team has become a growth engine for Opus. With the foundation firmly in place, Opus has now:
- Expanded hiring to include junior engineers
- Introduced Uplers to other departments, including ERP and Security
- Set up ongoing hiring plans with monthly check-ins and in-person visits
We came in skeptical, and Uplers made us believers. From the quality of engineers to how they’ve managed the entire experience, it’s been seamless.
Atul Shah
Managing Director
Opus Inspection
