IGNACIO ALVAREZ
Technology Executive | Automotive & AI Leader
📍 Based in Germany · Open to Relocation Globally
Executive Summary
Technology Executive with a track record of CTO-level impact in the Automotive & AI sectors. Proven leader with 15+ years of experience architecting and scaling intelligent systems from R&D to series production, driving 30% YoY R&D ROI amidst budget reductions, leading global R&D organizations of 100+ engineers, and launching platforms adopted by 1M+ users. Expert in defining technical vision that aligns with C-suite objectives, secures market leadership, and generates massive IP value (150+ patents).
Core Competencies
Professional Experience
Tenured Research Professor of Human-centered Intelligent Systems
Technische Hochschule Ingolstadt
2025–Present
Challenge:
Establish and lead cutting-edge research initiatives in human-centered intelligent vehicles while securing substantial funding and building academic-industry partnerships.
Action:
Secured €3M grant from the High-Tech Agenda Program of the Government of Bavaria to develop comprehensive research programs in AI and Automotive. Established THI Doctoral School membership and developed advanced curriculum for Automotive AI Masters and User Experience Design programs.
Result:
Successfully positioned THI as a leading European research institution in AI and Automotive, with substantial funding secured and advanced educational programs established across Computer Science and Engineering faculties.
Principal Engineer & Executive Technical Advisor
Intel Corporation – Intel Labs
2021–2025
Challenge:
Maximize R&D value and strategic impact while managing 8% yearly budget reductions across Intel Labs' global engineering organization, requiring innovative approaches to resource optimization and strategic technology investments.
Action:
Established unified research strategies and cross-functional collaboration across Intel Labs' 500+ person global engineering organization. Steered autonomous driving R&D strategy aligning 100+ multi-regional engineering resources. Served as key technology advisor for M&A, divestiture, and IPO activities within the automotive sector.
Result:
Achieved average 30% YoY increase in R&D ROI, reversing the impact of budget cuts across semiconductor design, packaging, systems, networking, software, algorithmic development and AI. Successfully architected and deployed production-grade automated driving safety systems, reducing validation cycles by ~20% and accelerating compliance with emerging safety regulations.
Senior Research Scientist & Autonomous Driving Lead
Intel Corporation – Intel Labs
2014–2021
Challenge:
Develop and commercialize a comprehensive multimodal in-vehicle R&D platform that integrates cutting-edge technologies while establishing Intel as a leading automotive technology partner and securing substantial research funding.
Action:
Led cross-institutional research collaborations, securing $5M+ in funding and partnerships. Transferred multiple key technologies to Intel's and Mobileye product teams. Led open-source contributions to industry bodies and international standards, bridging research to real-world impact.
Result:
Successfully deployed "Skyline" platform across 10+ global automotive OEMs, showcased at international forums (Google IO, Intel 360). Secured 50+ granted patents and 100+ pending in autonomous systems, AI and robotics. Published 70+ papers and built thought leadership in automotive AI safety and HMI.
Senior IT Manager & Connected Drive Lead
BMW Group
2012–2014
Challenge:
Lead rapid expansion into Asia-Pacific's fastest-growing automotive market while ensuring 24/7 reliability and scalability of connected vehicle services during record growth, and differentiate BMW in a competitive luxury market through innovative in-car technology.
Action:
Managed 100+ IT engineering division across Asia-Pacific, overseeing data centers, telematics, and in-car digital services. Pioneered in-car voice and AI assistants, collaborating with partners like Nuance and Microsoft. Developed integrated multimodal user manual for BMW 7 series.
Result:
Achieved over 1 million new users in the first year, significantly enhancing customer engagement. Launched industry's first natural-language voice assistant and multimodal user manual, setting new standards for in-vehicle HMI and earning industry-wide commendations for innovation.
Advanced Research Roles
BMW IT Research Center and Clemson University, I-CAR
2009–2012
Challenge:
Develop cutting-edge automotive technology prototypes that can inform future product roadmaps while bridging academic research with commercial applications in the automotive industry.
Action:
Collaborated between BMW Technology Office USA and Clemson University to develop functional prototypes for location-based services, voice-activated navigation, augmented reality user manuals, and driver assistance systems.
Result:
Successfully created first proofs-of-concept that informed future BMW product roadmaps, establishing foundational technologies for connected vehicle services and advanced driver assistance systems.
Professional Leadership & Affiliations
IEEE Intelligent Transportation Systems Society – Member of Board of Governors (elected role driving global ITS strategy)
ACM AutomotiveUI Conference – Steering Committee Member (shaping annual agenda for automotive UX innovation)
Editorial Boards – Board Member for IEEE ITS Magazine and Int. Journal of Human-Computer Interaction
Senior Member, IEEE and Member, ACM, SAE (recognized professional standing and contributions in tech)Thought Leadership & Innovation
Patents
Holder of 150+ patents (50+ granted) in autonomous systems, AI, and robotics, shaping the core IP strategy for market-leading mobility solutions.
View Patent PortfolioPublications
Author of 70+ publications in top-tier IEEE and ACM venues and editor of multiple books on autonomous system engineering.
View PublicationsIndustry Standards
Key contributor to the definition of global safety and communication standards for autonomous vehicles through leadership roles in IEEE and ETSI.
View Standards WorkEducation
Ph.D. in Computer Science (Automotive Intelligent Systems)
University of the Basque Country, Spain & Clemson University, USA, 2012
Summa Cum Laude
Joint international doctoral program focusing on conversational AI for vehicles.
M.Sc. in Media and Information Technology
Hochschule Offenburg, Germany, 2009
Coursework in multimedia systems and human-computer interaction.
B.Sc. in Communication Sciences
University of Burgos, Spain, 2006
Summa Cum Laude
Minor in Telecommunications.