Katherine Chasins

Katherine Chasins is a highly accomplished professional in the field of automotive safety and engineering. She currently serves as the Chief of the Special Programs Division in the Rulemaking Office of Automation Safety at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).1

Career Progression

Katherine's career at NHTSA has shown steady advancement:

1. Crash Avoidance Rulemaking Engineer (May 2020 - November 2023)
2. Acting Chief - Special Programs Division (March 2023 - November 2023)
3. Chief - Special Programs Division (November 2023 - Present)1

Educational Background

Katherine has a strong educational foundation in mechanical engineering:

• Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) (2010-2014)
• Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Michigan - Rackham Graduate School (2014-2016)1

Professional Experience

Before joining NHTSA, Katherine gained valuable experience in the automotive industry:

• FCA Fiat Chrysler Automobiles:
  • Seating System Lead (September 2019 - May 2020)
  • Seat Structures Engineer (January 2017 - September 2019)
  • Mechanical Engineer with the Chrysler Institute of Engineering Program (June 2014 - December 2016)1

She also co-founded PegaSense, where she led User Experience and Relations, demonstrating her entrepreneurial skills.1

Current Role and Responsibilities

As the Chief of the Special Programs Division in the Rulemaking Office of Automation Safety, Katherine is involved in:

• Overseeing automated driving systems (ADS) regulations
• Managing the ADS-equipped Vehicle Safety, Transparency, and Evaluation Program (AV STEP)
• Participating in international forums like the UNECE WP.29 Working Party on Automated/Autonomous and Connected Vehicles2

Katherine's expertise spans various aspects of automotive engineering, safety regulations, and automated driving systems, making her a key figure in shaping the future of automotive safety at NHTSA.