Simon Pitts

Simon Pitts is a Professor and Program Director at the Gordon Institute of Engineering Leadership, Northeastern University. He holds a unique dual role combining academic leadership with industry expertise. Previously, he served as a senior executive at Ford Motor Company, leading global product development operations across Ford, Jaguar, Land Rover, Mazda, and Volvo brands.

His education includes studies at Loughborough University in the UK and INSEAD in France. He directed the Ford-MIT Research Alliance, bridging academic and industrial innovation. His research focuses on engineering leadership development, cross-functional team management, and technology-driven product strategies.

In 2015, he and Michael Silevitch were honored with the prestigious National Academy of Engineering Bernard M Gordon Prize for advancing engineering education through leadership programs. His work emphasizes preparing engineers for complex, global challenges through interdisciplinary collaboration.

He oversees the Gordon Engineering Leadership Program, which integrates technical expertise with leadership skills, reflecting his commitment to cultivating future engineering leaders.