Jonathan Cagan

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Jonathan Cagan is the David and Susan Coulter Head of Mechanical Engineering and George Tallman and Florence Barrett Ladd Professor in Mechanical Engineering, with courtesy appointment in the School of Design, at Carnegie Mellon University. Globally known for his rigorous and effective approach to product innovation, Cagan works extensively in research on innovation processes and tools, teaching and leading innovation teams, corporate consulting, and speaking engagements on the topic of innovation. 

With a focus on product strategy and innovation, Cagan has worked with a variety of companies ranging from Fortune 100 to entrepreneurial start-ups such as Apple, P&G, GlaxoSmithKline, RedZone Robotics, Navistar International Truck, and Nissan.

Cagan’s research on design automation and methods, problem solving, and medical technologies merges AI, machine learning, and optimization methods with cognitive- and neuro-science problem solving.  His current research focuses on human-AI teaming, generative design, and medical diagnostics.  

Cagan co-founded the Integrated Innovation Institute at Carnegie Mellon. Cagan is co-author of four books on innovation: Creating Breakthrough Products, The Design of Things to Come, Built to Love, and his new book co-authored with Peter Boatwright, Managing the Unmanageable. 

A Fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Cagan has been awarded the ASME Design Theory and Methodology, Design Automation, and Ruth and Joel Spira Outstanding Design Educator Awards.  He is also a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.  And Cagan is a registered Professional Engineer.