After working as first-line supervisor in Light Fabrication Workshops at Powai, he was selected as part of a group formed by L&T to execute orders for India's Nuclear Power Programme. He was associated in various capacities with the manufacture of India's first Nuclear Power Reactor (235 MW) as well as all the critical reactor equipment. He was later responsible for the entire manufacturing operations of Nuclear Power Equipment at L&T.

Mr. Kotwal was involved in the planning and manufacture of an Ultra-high Vacuum Tokamak Vessel for Plasma Research Laboratory and for Analysing Magnets for Variable Energy Cyclotron Project set up by Bhabha Atomic Research Centre at Kolkata. He was also in charge of the manufacture of Rocket Motor Casings for India's Space Research Programme including Satellite Launch Vehicles SLV, ASLV, PSLV and GSLV.

When a major expansion of L&T's manufacturing base was undertaken at Hazira in Gujarat, Mr. Kotwal was responsible for all activities including selection and installation of machinery, recruitment and training of manpower and manufacturing activities at the workshops. L&T's Hazira Works is recognised as one of the most advanced heavy fabrication facilities matching global standards.

Mr. Kotwal handles operations of different Strategic Business Units dealing with domestic as well as international businesses covering equipment and systems for refineries, fertiliser and chemical process plants, power plants (including nuclear power), and defence and aerospace. Workshops and facilities located at Powai, Hazira, Baroda and Vizag are also managed by him.

Mr. Kotwal has been associated with several apex bodies. He is the co-Chairman of the Confederation of Indian Industry's National committee on Defence and is a member of the Vijay Kelkar Committee responsible for advising the Government of India on restructuring defence production in the country.

He is also the Chairman of Process Plant & Machinery Association of India.