Chris Smith

VP of Hardware Engineering @ Starship | Systems Engineering, Robotics | ex-Dyson, ex-BAE Systems

Brinkworth, England, United Kingdom

About

Results-Driven Leader with a Passion for Autonomous Systems As a leader I provide a unique mix of data driven critical thinking with a drive for immediate goal-orientated progress. As a follower I add clarity to the mission, identify and exploit opportunities, and come with solutions not problems. I thrive on pushing the boundaries of technology to create cost effective electronics and autonomous systems. I have extensive experience in developing technical teams and directing complex development projects. I’ve honed my skills in organisation design, mentoring, system analysis, design, implementation, and integration. Leading a multi-disciplinary team energizes me, I thrive on diverse perspectives, and managing complex system interactions. As a department head at Dyson, I have helped to drive our journey to a global technology company. Key Highlights: • Autonomous Systems Expertise: I’ve led technically challenging projects in the realm of autonomous systems. From self-driving vehicles to smart robotics, I’m passionate about creating solutions that redefine what’s possible. • High Performing People Leader: I have created systems, architecture, and platform teams for dyson; with consistently high performance ratings from customers, stakeholders and team members. • Knowledge Sharing: I believe in giving back. I freely share my expertise with peers, whether through training sessions or collaborative problem-solving. • Dynamic Presenter: Whether addressing military end users, technical experts, Founders, or school children, I bring technical material to life with an engaging presentation style. • Safety Champion: For consumer and autonomous products safety needs to come front and centre in any development. I support and nurture the right culture, skills and ways of working to ensure safety first. Engineering Journey: • Defense & Aerospace: I’ve navigated the complexities of defense and aerospace projects, solving intricate problems. • Consumer Electronics: Now, I’m immersed in the world of consumer electronics. Collaborating directly with product owners, I ensure their needs are met efficiently and cost-effectively. • Individual Contributions: My best hands-on skills include systems engineering, robotics, system design, sensors, and rapid prototyping & integration. I tackle key questions and manage risk daily.

Experience

  • VP of Hardware Engineering at Starship Technologies
    Oct 2024 - Present · 1 yr 9 mos

    Leading the hardware engineering design and development for Starship robots and Infrastructure.

  • Dyson (12 yrs 2 mos)
    • Head of Robotics Platforms
      Jul 2022 - Oct 2024 · 2 yrs 4 mos

      Leading the technical delivery of multiple robotics projects across all engineering disciplines. 1) Working with key stakeholders to identify product needs, prioritise customer value. 2) Defining end to end project plans from TRL1 to EOL 3) Driving Key Architectural & Risk Management Decisions 4) Design review of hardware, firmware, control, and sensing technologies 5) Management, mentoring, and development of a team of 40 including systems, modelling, control, hardware, firmware, mechatronics, sensors and RL engineers

    • Head of Platform Architecture
      Apr 2019 - Jul 2022 · 3 yrs 4 mos

      Leading the platform architecture team to: 1) Set the strategy & technical direction for future product platforms across all Dyson categories. 2) Coordinate the transfer of all projects into the development phase from an electronics perspective. 3) Develop novel and emerging concepts with the New Product Innovation team. 4) Enable the development teams to efficiently deliver the technology solutions needed by the business. 5) Identify and sponsor non-product initiatives across the whole lifecycle to transform the approaches, methods and technologies used by the electronics department.

    • Electronics Manager - Hardware Architecture (Acting) and Emerging Projects
      Feb 2017 - Mar 2019 · 2 yrs 2 mos

      Managing the architecture team which coordinates the startup of new projects from a hardware perspective, and enables the development teams to efficiently deliver the technology solutions needed by the business. The architecture team also leads the identification of non-project initiatives across the whole lifecycle to transform the approaches, methods and technologies used by the electronics department. Also scoping, creating and recruiting a new dedicated team of multi-skilled electronics engineers to directly support the product concept development teams in NPI.

  • BAE Systems (Bristol, United Kingdom)
    • Principal Scientist
      Jun 2010 - Sep 2012 · 2 yrs 4 mos

      Autonomy Theme Leader for BAE Systems Technology Programme. Responsible for technical review, alignment, strategy, roadmaps and customer engagement across the theme. Technical consultant & subject matter expert into the technology development, exploitation and customer communities with specialisation in intelligent, automated and autonomous systems. Successful technical team leader across multiple projects in the domain of real-world, embedded, and intelligent autonomous systems. Responsible for customer interaction, proposal, design, implementation, integration and review of major projects.

    • Senior Scientist
      2006 - Jun 2010 · 4 yrs 6 mos

      Technical team leader and integration specialist in the domain of intelligent autonomous systems. Responsible for the proposal, design, implementation, integration and review of major projects. Key architect of the software development infrastructure and the BAE Systems Advanced Technology Centre's Ground Vehicle Program Software utilised on the BAE Systems Wildcat, MO-ATV and Robovolc autonomous ground vehicle platforms. Created and performed live demonstrations of vision, LiDAR and field robotics to hundreds of school students at the first two 'The Big Bang Fair' events in London and Manchester.

    • Higher Scientist
      2006 - 2006 · Less than a year

      During this time I worked within 'Team Wildcat', a group responsible for the rapid development of a full scale autonomous control system. I was a senior team member and integration and testing specialist covering all deployed software modules. In addition, I lead the autonomous systems demonstration and live trial teams. In addition, I was responsible for the procurement and upgrade of all departmental sensors and robotics platforms.