Niosha Kayhani

CEO & Board Director

Stealth | San Diego, CA | Apr 2024 - Present

Leading a workforce management enterprise software platform, utilizing a new business model, hybrid cloud, and intuitive AI algorithms and inference.

The startup is initially focused on the front-end recruitment and matchmaking capability before moving up the stack towards payroll, benefits, workforce management, and ultimately, end-to-end HRIS.

Board Director

ITS UK, London, UK | May 2019 - Present

Support and influence strategy, financial planning, and business operations as part of BoD responsibility. Facilitate and host international delegations, sign memorandums of understanding with global institutions, and support the organization's growth.

Executive Board Member

UC San Diego, San Diego, CA | Feb 2022 - Present

Support establishment of policies and key strategic objectives, alongside mentorship of engineering students at UCSD and support of recruitment as part of the Corporate Affiliates Program (CAP).

Director of International Programs & Products

Cubic, San Diego, CA | Jul 2022 - May 2024

Led P&L for Cubic’s e-commerce business, serving over 75 federal, state, local, and international agencies with software solutions for forensic analysis and intelligence capabilities.

• Built and grew global partnership pipeline, including resellers, agents, sales reps, and integrators from 4 to 18 in less than 2 years, leading to 17% topline growth.
• Directed cross-functional teams to drive customer satisfaction, meet SLAs, and ensure data compliance.
• Automated processes for ordering, fulfillment, and data ingestion, enhancing operational efficiency by >35%.
• Developed and executed go-to-market strategies for new product launches and regional expansions, achieving 17% revenue growth in 2023 at 40% gross margin.

Director of Innovation

Cubic, San Diego, CA | Mar 2016 - Jul 2022

Built strategic innovation capability and oversaw 100+ engineers and product managers in a 7,000 people organization across a diverse R&D portfolio with a budget of $55M. Promoted from Sr. R&D Engineer in 2019.

• Managed and developed R&D ROI, NPV, NCF financing and portfolio valuation modeling for IRAD efforts.
• Produced portfolio options valuations used for Board of Director and C-level reviews. Received CEO award.
• Led development of cloud product strategies and data analytics initiatives for multiple transit agencies.
• Established innovation ecosystem with startups, local businesses, and academia.
• Launched products focused on mobile payments, IoT platforms, biometrics, accessibility, passenger flow management, and security. Won ‘Innovator of the Year’ award and received multiple patents.

GCE Strategist

Google, Dublin, Ireland | Dec 2014 - Jan 2016

Optimized digital strategies for SMB's in the Nordic region and grew revenue of existing accounts by 23%.

• Drove enterprise-wide improvement program on the Adwords platform, saving over $1M per annum.
• Created automated payment and invoicing feature for AdWords, instantly affecting millions of users.
• Worked on the Self Driving Car using my dissertation topic on thermal management of fiber optic lasers.

Manufacturing Lead

SPI Lasers (TRUMPF), Southampton, UK | Aug 2011 - Nov 2014

Led lean manufacturing and process redesigns to allow for increased production capacity close to 100%, and reduced Takt times through value stream mapping and automation. Promoted from Manufacturing Engineer.

• Deployed electro-mechanic and opto-electronic manufacturing lines for fiber optic laser products.
• Led team to implement quality engineering best practices and improved first time yield pass by over 20%.
• Spearheaded IT automation for the entire manufacturing Kanban system, resulting in more efficiency and less manual paperwork, and ultimately reducing error rates by approx. 10%.

President

Portsmouth University Basketball | Sept 2009 - Jul 2011

Led strategy, P&L, and recruitment for a 160+ member organization, leading the team to record-breaking promotion to the 1st division. Elected initially as Vice President from 2009 to 2010 and elected as President in 2010.

• Directed strategy, P&L and recruitment, achieving the highest revenue growth and securing a record promotion to the 1st division.
• Led both men’s teams to record-breaking seasons with promotion into Division I for the first time and finishing 2nd place with the other team. The best records in history for both teams.

Production Engineer (Intern)

Apollo Fire Detectors Ltd | Jun 2009 - Jul 2011

Supporting high volume manufacturing using lean techniques to improve quality and output on fire and smoke detection products.

• Optimized production lines to align with customer demand, achieving up to 20-second production per detector. Previously, overproduction led to waste and excess inventory. By creating a value stream map, I provided labor time requirements per customer forecast, enabling production to match customer orders accurately.
• Designed 3D CAD jigs and fixtures to optimize processes with times under 10 seconds. The improvements simplified tasks, enhanced quality, and reduced process times. These Poka-Yoke fixtures enabled scalable process improvements across various production lines.
• Designed a workstation for PCB coating with an integrated LEV filtration system, UV curing, and airflow. This setup allowed single-piece flow in the production line while meeting HSE standards. Regular checks with Dräger-Tubes ensured compliance with safety regulations.

Engineering & Business Development

TopUpTunes, Kashec, Natuzzi | <2009

Held various roles in engineering and business development, contributing to product growth and innovation.

• Produced digital mobile ring tones and released to public during the smartphone surge in 2007/2008.
• Supported engineering firm with mechanical designs and architectures for city projects in Hertfordshire County, UK.
• Worked as a sales associate for a few firms, notably Natuzzy who sells high-end, modular and bespoke furniture.