Erik Cavan
Applied AI
Chartered Engineer and Consultant with a track record across aerospace, defence, and infrastructure, from requirements through to systems in service. I've led design, certification, and root cause investigations on complex programmes, driven R&D through technology readiness levels, and introduced digital methods and tools into production that change how engineering teams work. Now I'm focused on delivering on the promise of AI to build real-world solutions that make a positive impact.
Who am I
My motivation to become an engineer has always been simple: to have a deeply positive impact on as many people as possible. That's why I'm leaning hard into Applied AI. GenAI isn't a marginal improvement, we're seeing 90 - 95% reductions in task times across real use cases. But the gap between what the technology can do and what customers actually need is widening. Models get deployed without enough context. Solutions get built for problems that were never properly understood.
That gap is exactly where I want to be. Sitting across from the customer, figuring out what the root problem actually is versus what someone initially described, and translating that into something an engineering team can ship with confidence. That's a deeply human skill, and it's becoming more valuable, not less.
How I Work
Why Before How
I see patterns, trends, and implications quickly — often before the detail is fully laid out. I start with why something matters and connect ideas across disciplines rather than siloing them.
Direction Over Drift
I prefer progress to perfection. If a conversation is circling, I'll propose a path forward. I close loops, follow through, and match the level of effort to the problem — not every answer needs a perfectly architected solution.
People First, Then Systems
I lead with empathy, not force. I understand context and constraints before jumping to solutions. I think with people, not at them — because ideas only become real when the team owns them.
What I Bring
Technical Depth
Years of engineering experience means I understand complex systems at a fundamental level.
Systems Thinking
I see how pieces connect. This helps me build the right solutions to the right problems.
Proven Delivery Leadership
Leadership across large, global, multi-functional teams to deliver engineering excellence across the lifecycle.
Skill Tree
Click on any skill to learn more about my experience level and how I've applied it.
AI Engineering
Frontend
Backend
Engineering
Tools
Soft Skills
Key
Let's Connect
I'm always open to conversations about engineering, career transitions, or potential collaborations.