Reza Khaj

Director @ Plug and Play Tech Center

About

As an engineer and venture investor with a PhD in Engineering from the University of Illinois, my career spans technology and business management, particularly in deep tech sectors. With contributions to multidisciplinary research projects in collaboration with the NSF and DOE, my work focuses on AI, robotics, and automation across industries like energy and mobility.Currently, I am a venture investor at Plug and Play, leveraging my expertise to identify and invest in pioneering startups in deep tech and climate tech. Let’s connect to explore opportunities and discuss the future of deep tech and climate tech.

Country

United States

City

San Francisco

Industry

Venture Capital & Private Equity

Skill

Venture Capital, Due Diligence, Sourcing, Investments, Start-up Ventures, Team Leadership, Research, Teamwork, Engineering, Machine Learning, Python, Deep Learning, Infrastructure Management, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Robot Operating System (ROS), C++, Keras, TensorFlow, Computer Vision, Data Science

Experience

Director

Plug and Play Tech Center

2022-9 - Present · 4 yrs 1 mo

Sunnyvale, California, United States

Director

The Society for Construction Solutions (SCS)

2023-3 - Present · 3 yrs 7 mos

San Francisco Bay Area

The Society for Construction Solutions (SCS) is on a mission to support construction professionals in employing solutions to the unique challenges of their projects.

Co-Founder

MyHomeProject.io

2022-1 - 2022-9 · 9 mos

San Francisco Bay Area

Research Assistant

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

2020-1 - 2022-5 · 2 yrs 5 mos

➤Led innovative projects from proposal through implementation. ➤Assessed feasibility and viability of projects. ➤Built and led diverse teams. ➤Designed and implemented vehicle trajectory data collection pipelines using aerial videography for Federal Highway Administration. ➤Smart City Lab ➤Reviewed manuscripts for IEEE Transactions and Transportation Research Board.

Perception Lead

The 12th Unmanned (Texas A&M University SAE Autodrive Team)

2017-11 - 2019-12 · 2 yrs 2 mos

College Station, Texas, United States

➤Led the perception team of the automated vehicle developed for the AutoDrive ChallengeTM Competition sponsored by SAE International and General Motors (GM) ➤Designed the Perception module

Research Assistant

Texas A&M University

2016-9 - 2019-12 · 3 yrs 4 mos

➤Key contributor to the evaluation, development, and implementation of projects. ➤Led the winning perception team of the automated vehicle developed for the AutoDrive Challenge. ➤Contributed to the development of an automated KIA-Soul. ➤Conducted multidisciplinary research projects for NSF and DOE. ➤Reviewed manuscript for Transportation Research Board.

Infrastructure Engineer

Metropolitan Infrastructure, PLLC

2015-5 - 2016-10 · 1 yr 6 mos

Dallas/Fort Worth Area

➤Participated in the development of the “2015 City of Lucas Comprehensive Plan Update” of public infrastructure systems. ➤Contributed to the design of multiple collector roadways, streets, drainage, and utility systems.