Padma Sundaram

About Padma Sundaram

Visionary Leader in Automotive TechnologyOver 25+ years in automotive innovation, I’ve learned that true impact is not defined by titles or technologies — it’s forged through clarity in chaos, purpose in action, and leadership that elevates people and possibilities.From pioneering early advances in electric steering and braking to enabling autonomous vehicles on public roads, I have consistently led at the nexus of cutting-edge technology and uncompromising responsibility. Breakthroughs were never handed to us — they were earned, built through ambiguity, collaboration, and a relentless belief in shaping what’s next.Today, as VP of Systems and Safety Engineering at Aurora, I lead the development of self-driving platforms that are not only technically exceptional, but trusted and human-centered. What drives me isn’t simply advancing autonomy — it’s the promise of creating safer, more inclusive, and fundamentally better mobility for all.At General Motors, I helped define the strategy for autonomous systems, architected scalable safety frameworks, and led cross-functional teams that turned vision into execution. Our collective work with Cruise culminated in the industry’s first driverless deployments in San Francisco — recognized with the GM Boss Kettering Award, a testament to the power of aligned teams, clear purpose, and technical rigor.At HCLTech–ASAP Gruppe, I scaled a global automotive technology practice, guiding OEMs and Tier-1s through transformational change — architecting systems that could withstand disruption, complexity, and global scale.Leadership in PracticeI lean into the hard problems — the ones without easy answers — leading with vision, patience, and a deep commitment to technical excellence and team trust. Whether building safety strategies or scaling global organizations, I believe success is measured not just by milestones, but by the integrity, courage, and innovation we bring to the journey.Milestones That MatterEnabled the first public deployment of fully driverless vehicles in San FranciscoArchitected scalable, safety-critical systems adopted across global programsLed the development and adoption of ISO 26262 and ISO 21448 (SOTIF) standards Advised C-suite leadership on autonomy, platform strategy, and operational scalingFocus AreasSystems & Safety Engineering | Autonomous and Software-Defined Platforms | Scalable Systems Architecture | Fault-Tolerant Design | Functional Safety & SOTIF | Global Engineering Leadership | Strategic Partnerships | Deep Expertise: ADAS, Chassis, Propulsion, Electrification

Experience

1. Vice President-systems and Safety Engineering

   Aurora

   Sep 2024 — Present · Pittsburgh, PA, US

   At Aurora, I lead Systems and Safety Engineering—embedding safety into the very architecture of our autonomous vehicle systems. My team unifies Functional Safety, SOTIF, Operational Safety, and Compliance into a single, living Safety Case that shapes how autonomy is designed, validated, and deployed.We work across software, hardware, product, and operations to make safety an intrinsic property of the system. Through systems thinking, engineering rigor, and data-driven feedback, we turn complexity into measurable insight and continuous improvement.From early architecture to fleet operations, we bring structure, traceability, and intent to every technical decision—ensuring the autonomy stack not only performs as intended, but learns, adapts, and sustains safety in a dynamic world. This disciplined, integrated approach defines how Aurora builds trustworthy autonomy at scale.

Education

• University of Southern California

  M.S., Systems Architecting and Engineering

• Oakland University

  M.S., Computer Science and Engineering

• University of Michigan - Stephen M. Ross School of Business

  Executive Leadership , Leading with Impact

• Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University

  Bachelor's degree, Electrical and Electronics Engineering

Skills

• Embedded Systems
• Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (Fmea)
• Embedded Software
• Engineering
• Systems Engineering
• Iso Standards
• Automotive Engineering
• Simulation
• Engineering Management
• Powertrain
• Automation
• Functional Safety
• Vehicle Dynamics
• Hev
• System of Systems
• Automotive
• Root Cause Analysis
• Iso 26262
• Control Systems Design
• Vehicles
• System Safety
• Iec 61508
• Matlab
• Chassis
• Fmea
• Simulations
• Testing
• Simulink
• Design Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (Dfmea)
• Continuous Improvement
• Industrial Safety