Nathan Rajen
CIO, CTO, CISO, SVP
Austin,Texas
Summary
Accomplished customer focused technology executive with over twenty-five years of hands-on expertise in automotive / transportation domain (R&D. Manufacturing. Distribution. Sales. Service. Dealerships. End of Life. Autonomous Mobility. EV technology) and consulting experience across diverse industry verticals (Energy. Healthcare. Discrete / Process Manufacturing. CPG. Financial Services). Proven transformation record enabling global value driven ecosystems. driving relentless operational excellence with lean budgets. enabling next generation innovation (GenAI. Industrial IOT. Machine Learning). creating a risk averse cyber security culture. and driving digital transformation including digital twins. Strategic Chief Information Officer known for productivity and efficiency in completing tasks. Specialized in implementing innovative IT solutions, cybersecurity management, and digital transformation strategies. Excel in leadership, problem-solving, and communication, ensuring seamless integration of technology to support organizational goals.
Overview
36
36
years of professional experience
Work History
Global Head of IT Strategy & Solutions - CDO
Joyson Safety Systems (JSS) Inc
Auburn Hills, USA
01.2013 - Current
- Company Overview: JSS is a global automotive safety systems tier-1 supplier of active and passive safety systems (22 countries, 45,000+ employees, 60+ plants)
- Built the global JSS IT Organization (insourcing key resources), defining internal KSS IT strategy and BOD alignment, focus on KSS compliance for potential future IPO, restructuring all IT Vendor contracts, 30% operational spend reduction
- Unify KSS R&D globally to enable 'Design Anywhere' and Digital Product Development
- Teamcenter PDM
- ARAS PLM
- NX
- CATIA
- And Digital Mockup (JT)
- Reduce launch cycle time (40%)
- Accelerate change (CMII)
- Drive concurrent engineering
- Digital collaboration
- And minimize running changes post start of production (improve quality
- Reduce operations costs)
- Unify KSS Plants (16 facilities in 9 countries) from 12 local ERP systems to global ERP (QAD EE Cloud 'Platform as a Service')
- Accelerating month end close down to 3 days
- Enabling real time insights for decision making and shared services for Finance and Purchasing operations
- Implemented Oracle HFM to drive FICO
- Management and Statutory Financial Reporting
- Driven by a major EU Customer demand, took on CISO role in 2015
- Completed ISO27001 / VDA Security audit compliance
- Following customer physical and information security demands
- Helping KSS win major billion-dollar multi-year program
- Built Cyber Security mindset
- Ensuring BOD alignment of risks and value proposition for Security Operations Center (SOC)
- As global CIO and part of a small leadership team (Class A shares) focused on IPO enablement
- Evaluated different markets
- Implemented required pre-IPO compliance needs
- Culminating in the acquisition of KSS by Ningbo Joyson Electronics (NJE China), a global automotive supplier publicly traded in Shanghai, China
- As part of Executive Committee, drove acquisition of Takata Corporation (HQ in Japan)
- Negotiating with customers (automotive OEMs), and US DOJ (Takata had a recall with NHTSA penalties)
- Completing acquisition in November 2017
- Led Technical Integration of two companies achieving Day 1 in April 2018 with no added integration budget and zero Day 1 issues
- Post acquisition, drove Synergy Strategy to achieve 40% operational efficiency in 30 months (combine plants, reduce headcount)
- Through IT Portfolio rationalization, reduced footprint by 30%
- Standardizing where mandated, combining where possible, and harmonizing where needed
- JSS was audited by US Department of Justice (DOJ)
- Led Technology Compliance Taskforce
- Implementing auditable solutions to drive traceable compliance
- Audit was successfully closed in 2022
- JSS had regional operating models, limited plant visibility, and inefficient purchasing, finance, and manufacturing processes
- With BOD approval and major ($120M) investment, launched global SAP S/4HANA ERP cloud solution to drive ONE JOYSON vision and achieve global operating consistency
- 66 plants, 22 countries, largest SAP S/4HANA Scope in 2019 globally
- Implemented JIRA Agile PMO to drive virtual collaboration across diverse project teams (over 800 resources)
- This saved the day during COVID later
- Global template in 2020, one plant per region in 2021-22 and now is being launched globally
- Launched JSS 4.0 strategy aligned with Industry 4.0 vision
- Focus on implementing AI, ML, IIOT solutions to drive smart factories (Connected Smart Automated Autonomous)
- Ability to check production execution in real time
- Algorithms to learn, report, and proactively manage plant asset maintenance
- Digital twins for capital intensive assets
- Technologies evaluated include Microsoft and AWS IOT Platform Hubs, Siemens, PTC, SAP, Software AG, C3.AI AI/ML solutions, and Siemens/Hitachi/Rockwell Industrial Automation / IOT solutions
- Finalized Microsoft IOT Hub architecture, and a combination of Siemens (Mindsphere, Simatic IT) and PTC (Kepware), and other automation IOT point solutions to drive this vision
- Post COVID, JSS (like most automotive suppliers) was financially severely affected, forcing to rebaseline our priorities without compromising on our customer and product quality commitments
- Evaluated High-Cost Country vs
- Best Cost Country Service Delivery options
- Got BOD approval for accelerating HCC to BCC transition for key functions (Global Engineering, Electronics and Embedded Software, Information Technology, Purchasing, Finance), and accelerated transition, achieving 60% operational efficiencies in HCC by 2023
- BCC delivery / shared service centers are now enabled in Mexico, India, Romania, and Poland
- After successfully completing DOJ audit, shifted focus to QMS plant solutions
- QMS/LIMS global standardization was top priority
- Due to DOJ demands, architected custom JSS Quality Operating (QOS) / Laboratory Information Mgmt System (LIMS)
- Manages plant quality / testing processes ensuring closed loop traceability of all changes, guaranteeing validation process/data integrity
- Implemented Digital Vaults (NetApp) for data lock
- Focus on IT Service Delivery globally - Launched ServiceNow global ITSM solution with end-end capabilities, joining multiple regional IT Support processes and tools
- Starting with China, developed IIOT aligned Manufacturing Execution System (MES) leveraging MQTT OASIS Standard architecture for IOT messaging, combined with MongoDB NOSQL Data Lake approach for capturing and centrally managing all operational plant data with Edge capabilities in the plant to review filter 'Noise' Data and store relevant data in the Enterprise Data Lake
- Successfully launched in multiple China plants
- Now in global deployment
- Launched JSS Global AI/ML Task Force, focusing on GenAI next-gen disruptive solutions
- Started M365 Copilot global Proof of Value to decide use cases, address liability concerns through Security strategies, legal liability policies, and employee training and awareness sessions
- M365 Copilot is now productionized
- Launched added GenAI pilots with Photogrammetry (Autodesk), Adobe, MidJourney, Palantir, Celonis, Altair RapidMiner, Blender (STL CAD), and Github CoPilot
- Extraordinarily strong value propositions with security / liability focused launches, strong governance and training
- Future looks interesting!
- With increasing phishing and mounting ransomware threats, shifting focus on proactive security management from Cyber Risk 'Resistance' to 'Resilience'
- Implemented comprehensive framework including TippingPoint ATP Analyzer, Microsoft Defender AV/EDR, Sentinel XDR, and 24x7 dedicated SOC, and evaluating other solutions
- In 2024, taking additional CISO role to drive more security focus, BOD alignment, and drive organizational change management around security
- JSS is a global automotive safety systems tier-1 supplier of active and passive safety systems (22 countries, 45,000+ employees, 60+ plants)
Founder & CEO
Abacusoft LLC
Novi, USA
01.2012 - 12.2012
- Company Overview: Professional services startup with focus on industrial automation, ERP, PLM, and PMO solutions
- Leveraged cloud solutions in HR, Operations, Portfolio, Program & Project Mgmt
- To help SMB customers reduce CAPEX/OPEX costs
- Offered turnkey consulting solutions & services in Technology Strategy, ERP, PLM, and MES
- Served multiple customers, including automotive suppliers, hitech OEMs, financial service providers, health care service providers, and food container manufacturers
- Products developed, launched and supported include BASIS SMB HRM, PACE PPM Solution, and XIMPLE PLM
- Built delivery center in India to support product development and customer support with lean US Sales & Marketing team
- Key Customers include Dart Containers, Flextronics Corporation, Key Safety Systems, and National Stock Exchange
- Professional services startup with focus on industrial automation, ERP, PLM, and PMO solutions
Senior Director & Head, Industrial Automation Consulting Services
Siemens Information Systems & Services Inc.
Troy, USA
04.2009 - 03.2012
- Company Overview: Global leader with diversified Technology services in Automotive, Aerospace, Defense, Hi-Tech, CPG, Energy, Infrastructure, and Finance
- Built and led the Industrial Automation Consulting practice (PLM, ERP, and MES) for the Americas, enabling an extensive portfolio of high value solutions and services
- Established the Americas Consulting & Services organization, devising Go-To market strategies, developing partner ecosystems, and building delivery capabilities with onshore, offshore models and Global CoE to drive delivery quality
- Enhanced growth through partnerships, alliances, acquisitions, analyst relations & maturing solution portfolio
- Determined targets, orchestrated marketing & sales, and maintained operational excellence to meet/exceed set goals
- Introduced multiple innovations including Automotive BoM, Business Process Transformation, Value Chain Assessment, Innovation Mgmt, Content Mgmt, Sustainability, Cloud-enabled PLM, Mechatronics, PLM-ERP-MES integration, Digital Manufacturing, PLM4Service, BPM / BI implementation accelerators
- The innovations prompted pipeline extension of more than $150M focusing on high development industry areas
- Served multiple industries including Automotive, A&D, Hi-tech, Energy, Healthcare & CPG
- Functioned as an advisor to diverse customers executing standards-driven industry solutions while leading FusionIO through successful IPO Technology transformation
- SIS was divested by Siemens and acquired by Atos in 2011
- Led the transition, business stabilization and portfolio integration for the Industrial Automation Consulting Services
- Key customers include Siemens Energy, Siemens Industry, Siemens Healthcare, Boeing, Proctor & Gamble, Johnson & Johnson, Schlemberger, EADS, B/E Aerospace, Volkswagen
- Global leader with diversified Technology services in Automotive, Aerospace, Defense, Hi-Tech, CPG, Energy, Infrastructure, and Finance
Vice President, Global Engineering, Manufacturing & PLM / Automotive Strategy Head
Tech Mahindra
Southfield, USA
04.2007 - 03.2009
- Company Overview: Top four global technology services firms headquartered in India
- Managed cross-functional organization, including business development, solution architecting, vendor / analyst alignment, and instituting industry best practices
- Engaged with multiple industry verticals, including automotive, aerospace, consumer packaged goods, industrial and farming equipment, and hi-tech
- Accountable for administering engineering and PLM Portfolio across the Americas while offering global automotive strategy leadership, emphasizing new opportunities in Mechatronics, ALM, Digital Product Development, and enabling Design Anywhere / Manufacture Anywhere corporate strategies
- Integral in designing and setting up adaptive PLM framework, directing the I-3 Innovation framework, and actualizing Automotive & Aerospace Center of Excellence (AACE)
- Enabled partnership with multiple PLM solutions, including Siemens PLM, PTC, Aras, and Dassault PLM
- Key customers include Ford, Caterpillar, Nissan, HP, KSS, BorgWarner, International Automotive Components, Goodyear, Hawker Beechcraft
- Top four global technology services firms headquartered in India
Global Portfolio Head, Automotive Operations / PLM Strategy
Hewlett Packard Company
Livonia, USA
04.2005 - 03.2007
- Company Overview: Industry leader in computing hardware, printers, consumer electronics, software, and application services for enterprise customers
- Led General Motors 2005 IT Outsourcing effort and won the Product Development strategic consulting domain ($0.5B)
- Oversaw industry benchmarking, competitive analysis, technology strategy, plan of action development and execution, portfolio planning and Mgmt, implementing financial controls, architecture strategy and direction, and global standardization of process, tools, and technology in all General Motors Global Engineering Centers
- Conducted a technology analysis at GM, instituting a three-year strategic plan of action and related processes, restructured portfolio Mgmt
- Process, and optimized operations to enable the 'Design Anywhere, Manufacture Anywhere' objective
- Spearheaded worldwide benchmarking activity and built up an essential (complete CMMi) system that empowered 'Data driven investment decisions' at GM
- Built the HP PLM practice with innovative solutions service offering to drive sales and service development as a co-founder of HP PLM consulting services
- Established strong and robust relationships with C-level executives to ensure operations and delivery excellence
- Pursued different opportunities, including General Motors Product Development Technology organization and partnered with Siemens PLM, PTC, and Dassault
- Managed Innovative solutions, including Supplier collaboration portal, ITIL based PLM Outsourcing frameworks, Integrated enterprise strategy for PLM (CAD, CAM, CAE, CAT, Vis, Collaboration), ERP, MES, Security, and Business Intelligence
- Key customers include General Motors, Microsoft, Hyundai Kia and FusionIO
- Industry leader in computing hardware, printers, consumer electronics, software, and application services for enterprise customers
Global Head of PLM for Extended Enterprise
Ford Motor Company
Dearborn, USA
01.1995 - 03.2005
- Company Overview: Global automotive OEM with sustained excellence for over 100 years
- Corporate Chair - Visualization & Collaboration (mainstream PLM across the enterprise & supply chain using visualization, collaboration and integration, delivering process focused 'In Context' solutions - HD PLM)
- Chair - Cross Trustmark PLM Strategy (Harmonizing PLM process / technology across all Ford acquisitions including Volvo, Mazda, Jaguar, Land Rover, Aston Martin to deliver best-in-class Product Creation Process & Architecture)
- Drove a consistent Product Development Lifecycle Process across all brands (integrating multiple technologies where needed - Metaphase, Teamcenter, Enovia, NX, CATIA, Mentor Graphics, Zuken, EAI, RH)
- Enabled global PLM organization (65 globally distributed resources) across Australia, India UK, Germany, USA, Canada, Brazil, Argentina, and Chile
- Implemented CAD/CAM/CAE/PIM (C3P) technology across Ford extended enterprise (Manufacturing, After-sales service, Logistics, Procurement, and Marketing) on a global level
- Innovated and launched Process Driven Visualization (PDV), expanding user base from 2000 to 26000 global users in 8 months resulting in 10X ROI enabling accelerated concurrent engineering, reducing cycle time, improving cost, quality and customer satisfaction, and reuse of product information mastered in PLM across the enterprise
- Implemented global Distribution & Logistics systems, customer and dealer publication systems, supported custom ERP and After Sales Service systems
- Global automotive OEM with sustained excellence for over 100 years
Senior Process & Technology Consultant
04.1989 - 12.1994
- Senior Process/Technology consulting roles with CompuLearn Corporation, Southfield, MI, USA (1997)
- Great Lakes Gas Transmission Company, Detroit, MI, USA (via Datronics Inc., New York, NY, USA) (1995)
- The Upjohn Pharmacy, Portage, MI, USA (Now part of Pfizer) (1994)
- Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI, USA (1993-94)
- Datamatics Corporation, Chennai, India (1992)
- Shuddhashakthi Consultants, Chennai, India (1989-91)
Education
Master of Science (M.S.) - Computer Sciences
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, MI, USA01.1995
Bachelor of Engineering (B.E.) - Computer Engineering
Amravati University
Maharashtra, India01.1992
Skills
- Global Information Technology
- Digital Transformation
- Cyber Security
- Automotive
- Industry Strategic Leadership
- Industrial IoT (IIoT)
- GenAI
- AI
- ML
- Mobility Autonomy
- Product Lifecycle Management (PLM)
- Digital Twins
- AutoSAR
- AIAG
- MMOG/LE
- M&A
- Divestitures
- IPOs
- Agile
- KPI Driven Operations Management
- Organizational Change Management (OCM)
- Six Sigma
- Lean
- Audits
- Controls & Compliance (SoD/DoA/GRC)
- Quality
- IATF 16949
- Strategic Planning
- Data Sciences (BI/DW)
- MDM
- Data Warehouse
- Data Lakes
- Business Process Management (BPM)
- PPM (Portfolio Program Management)
- Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)
- Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES)
- Supply Chain (SCM)
- HR Management Systems (HRMS)
- Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP)
- Financial Planning
- Analysis
- Reporting (FP&A)
- FICO
- Enterprise Performance Management (EPM)
References
Available upon request.
Customers
Allison Transmissions, Arvin Meritor, B/S/H, Behr, BorgWarner, Caterpillar, Comao Pico, Daimler, Dana, Deere, Delphi, Denso, Doosan, Federal Mogul, Ford, General Motors, Goodyear, Hyundai Kia, IAC, Jaguar, Joyson Safety Systems, Key Safety Systems, Land Rover, Liming, Mazda, Nissan, Paccar, Siemens Industry, Volvo, Volkswagen, Boeing, EADS, Hawker-Beechcraft, Loral Space Systems, B/E Aerospace, ANR, Baker Hughes, Enerflex, EnerSource, FMC Technologies, Oceaneering, Siemens Energy, Schlemberger, Coca Cola, Johnson & Johnson, Miller Coors, Nike, P&G, Pharmacia (Merck), Unilever, Applied Materials, AMD, Emerson, FEI, FusionIO, Intel, Microsoft, Samsung, Whirlpool, Xerox, CPDA, CIMData, EDS, GSS, HP, IBM, INCAT, Satyam, Siemens IT, TCS, Wipro, Armstrong WW, Centex, Disney, Globe & Mail, Kennametal, Phoenix Contact, Sunlife, Warner Bros
Affiliations
- Hiking, Skydiving, Swimming, Cycling, Gardening, Volunteering, Mentoring, AI Evangelist and Public Speaker
Timeline
Global Head of IT Strategy & Solutions - CDO
Joyson Safety Systems (JSS) Inc
01.2013 - Current
Founder & CEO
Abacusoft LLC
01.2012 - 12.2012
Senior Director & Head, Industrial Automation Consulting Services
Siemens Information Systems & Services Inc.
04.2009 - 03.2012
Vice President, Global Engineering, Manufacturing & PLM / Automotive Strategy Head
Tech Mahindra
04.2007 - 03.2009
Global Portfolio Head, Automotive Operations / PLM Strategy
Hewlett Packard Company
04.2005 - 03.2007
Global Head of PLM for Extended Enterprise
Ford Motor Company
01.1995 - 03.2005
Senior Process & Technology Consultant
04.1989 - 12.1994
Master of Science (M.S.) - Computer Sciences
Western Michigan University
Bachelor of Engineering (B.E.) - Computer Engineering
Amravati University
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