Brian Pilnick

Silicon Valley, CA · brian@pilnick.com

I am experienced product and program management professional with a strong background in hardware product development, particularly in robotics and sensing technologies. I have a proven track record of leading cross-functional teams, driving innovation, and successfully launching industry-leading products.


Experience

Director of Technical Program Management

Robust.AI
April 2025 - Present

Director of Product Management

AEye
December 2020 - November 2023

North America Product Lead

Innoviz Technologies
September 2018 - March 2020

Lidar Team Lead

Zoox
November 2015 - November 2017

Founder

Panosense (Acquired by Zoox)
June 2015 - November 2015

Principal Engineer

Velodyne Lidar
June 2012 - June 2015

Mechanical Engineer

Lockheed Martin Space Systems
February 2007 - June 2012

Mechanical Designer

Tartan Racing, Carnegie Mellon University
2006

Mechanical Engineer

Red Team Racing, Carnegie Mellon University
2005

Education

Carnegie Mellon University

Master of Science - Mechanical Engineering
Focus on Robotics and Computer Aided Design
December 2006

Carnegie Mellon University

Bachelor of Science - Mechanical Engineering
Minor in Robotics, University Honors
May 2006

Patents & Publications

  • Lidar sensor assembly calibration based on reference surface
    US 10359507 · Issued Jul 23, 2019
  • Aligning optical components in LIDAR systems
    US 10295660 · Issued May 21, 2019
  • Interface for transferring power and data between a non-rotating body and a rotating body
    US 10122416 · Issued Nov 6, 2018
  • Laser power calibration and correction
    US 10048358 · Issued Aug 14, 2018
  • Lidar system
    US 20180267152 · Filed Apr 13, 2017
  • Support assembly for rotating body
    US 20180191222 · Filed Apr 13, 2017
  • Autonomous Driving in Urban Environments: Boss and the Urban Challenge
    Journal of Field Robotics · Jun 1, 2008