I'm Daniel Pedraza, currently leading deployment strategy at Intramotev, where we're building autonomous, self-propelled battery electric railcars. I architect deployment frameworks and manage field operations across diverse environmental conditions, translating real-world observations into rapid technical iterations.

Before Intramotev, I was a Deployment Strategist at Palantir in New York City, where I designed ethical LLM deployment frameworks and drove responsible AI implementation with a focus on privacy and individual rights.

My career has taken interesting turns. I've led product and fraud detection at Berbix (acquired by Socure), directed special projects at climate tech company Aclima, co-founded Zenysis (YC W16) to build data analytics for developing countries, and investigated extremist recruitment tactics at the UN Global Pulse. During this period, I also participated in Assembly at Harvard's Berkman Klein Center and MIT Media Lab, where our team built equalAIs—a project exploring algorithmic bias and empowering individuals to subvert problematic computer vision systems. Earlier, I analyzed technology landscapes at Quid.

And before all of that? I was an aerodynamicist and data scientist for Formula One racing teams—Renault F1 and Toyota F1. I optimized vehicle performance, worked trackside during races, and helped capture a World Championship. It was an incredible way to start a career.

As a third culture kid who spent formative years across multiple continents, I developed an early capacity for navigating different cultural contexts and perspectives. This background shaped my approach to technology deployment—building systems requires understanding not just the technical architecture, but the human and cultural systems they'll operate within. Whether it's deploying environmental sensors in the Bay Area, building data platforms in Ethiopia, or implementing AI systems responsibly, I've learned that effective technology work demands both technical rigor and cultural fluency. The ability to bridge different worldviews isn't just personal history; it's become fundamental to how I approach complex, cross-functional challenges.

I studied Aerospace Engineering at Virginia Tech and earned my Master's in Aerodynamics & Computation from the University of Southampton. I'm also a certified FAA Remote Pilot and a PADI Divemaster.

I'm drawn to hard problems at the intersection of technology and real-world impact—whether that's autonomous systems, privacy-preserving AI, humanitarian data analytics, or climate solutions. I believe in building systems that work, deploying them thoughtfully, and iterating based on what actually happens in the field. Field deployments have taught me that sometimes slow is fast, that engaging local experts is essential, and that staying flexible while maintaining technical rigor produces the best outcomes.

Outside of work, I'm an avid drone pilot, scuba diver, and traveler. I'm fascinated by the fundamentals of system design and the challenge of making complex technology actually useful.

Feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn, check out projects on GitHub, or send me an email!

Where I've lived:

I've also spent time in countless other places travelling and seeing parts of this planet. All places are favourite in some way but I have special memories in Cambodia, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Sardinia, Tanzania, Thailand...