Vlad Ionescu

Lecturer

Email: vlad.ionescu@sjsu.edu
Telephone: (586) 272-6815
Office Hours: In-Person / Virtual (Zoom) - By Appointment

Education

• M.S. Mechanical Engineering, Oakland University
• B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Oakland University

Bio

Research Interest: Automotive Industry, Manufacturing, Innovation, New Product Introduction, Program Management, Managerial Accounting

A futurist with a passion for innovation and technology, Vlad Ionescu focuses on product development, go-to-market strategies, roadmaps, and successful global product launches. Vlad has acted in various global leadership roles, such as Vice President of Product Development at Ultrasense Systems and Senior General Manager – Head of Research & Development at Toyota Boshoku in the US and Europe. In these roles, Vlad led efforts in developing future products and technology, while focusing on profitable business growth opportunities through new mobility and automotive applications towards our 2030-2050 society.

Combining over 20 years of experiences and achievements in the fields of Engineering, Manufacturing, Program Management, Sales and Business Development, Vlad is highly effective at providing strategic input as a member of the executive management team, as well as resourceful in identifying and resolving issues at a technical level. Vlad values “out of the box thinking” and fosters a quality-driven, market and product-focused culture of accountability and teamwork with a common vision, open communication, and strong solidarity. He is known to identify and mold strong ‘A’ players, alongside mentoring ‘B’ players into top performers.

Vlad holds a Master of Science degree in Engineering from Oakland University in Rochester Hills, Michigan, and is an Adjunct Professor at San Jose State University, where he also sits on various Master Thesis Committees in the fields of autonomous vehicles, electrification and Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS). Having joined San Jose State University in 2021, Vlad teaches Tech 190A/B (Senior Project), Tech 149 (Smart Manufacturing) and Tech 15/199 (Special Topics) courses within the College of Engineering: Aviation and Engineering Technology department, while thoroughly enjoying the interactions with his students and assisting in shaping their academic and professional growth and success.

On a personal level, Vlad has an affinity for historic vehicles, and is an avid watch collector. Considering himself a citizen of the world, Vlad speaks 6 languages, and currently lives with his family in San Jose, CA. He can be reached at vlad.ionescu@sjsu.edu and welcomes connections at linkedin.com/in/valexionescu.