Raj Pai

Chief Technologist for Air Transportation System at NASA Agency, expert in AI/ML and big data

Raj Pai is a Senior Technologist at NASA, specifically within the Aviation Systems Division at the NASA Ames Research Center. He has been in this role since September 2021, where he leads machine learning and big data research programs that support the Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate's Sky for All Initiative and the FAA’s Info-centric National Airspace Systems (NAS) initiative.1

Professional Background

Before joining NASA, Raj Pai accumulated over 25 years of experience in Silicon Valley, working in various technology and business roles. His expertise spans machine learning, artificial intelligence, big data, and cloud technologies. He has held leadership positions at several prominent companies, including Teradata, Informatica, and Tibco, where he developed enterprise solutions across sectors such as healthcare, telecommunications, and financial services. Additionally, he served as CEO and founder of Claritics, where he focused on cloud-based user analytics for gaming and media.1 3

Education

Raj Pai holds a Bachelor’s degree in Technology from the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay, a Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Hawaii, Mānoa, and an MBA from the Haas School of Business at the University of California, Berkeley.1

Contributions and Interests

At NASA, he has been involved in significant projects that enhance safety and efficiency in aviation operations, including the development of digital frameworks for unmanned vehicles and urban air mobility. He is also known for mentoring data science interns and researchers, emphasizing education and community engagement in his personal life.1 2

Raj is recognized as a thought leader in his field, frequently speaking at industry and academic events, and he enjoys connecting with diverse individuals through various platforms.1

Highlights

Aug 16 · nasa.gov

Raj Pai - NASA

Jul 25 · nasa.gov

Internal Research and Development (IRAD) Awardees - NASA

Experience

Senior Technologist at NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Research Fellow & Tech Lead at NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Jul 2019 - Oct 2021), Educator at Techlab Education (Jan 2018 - Present), General Manager and VP, Predictive and Data Science Applications at AutoGrid systems (Jun 2014 - Jun 2019), Co-Founder & CEO at Claritics (Aug 2010 - Oct 2018), VP Channels, Strategic Alliances & Business Development at Aster Data Systems (Aug 2008 - Aug 2010), Global Head of Product Management at Informatica (Feb 2004 - Jan 2008), VP Product Marketing/Management at Enosys (May 2001 - Jun 2003), Product Management/Marketing at Tibco Software (Jan 1998 - May 2001), Applications Engineer & Engg Manager at Intel Corporation (Apr 1992 - Jun 1997)

Education

Master of Science in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from Univ Hawaii (1990 - 1992), Bachelor of Technology in Electrical Engineering from Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay (1986 - 1990), MBA in Entrepreneurial Leadership, Product Management & Marketing from University of California, Berkeley - Walter A. Haas School of Business (1996 - 1998)