Rikki Valverde (Rikki Irwin)

Rikki Valverde, also known as Rikki Irwin, is a seasoned engineer specializing in autonomy and robotics, currently serving as a Staff Autonomy Engineer at Torc Robotics since August 2021. Valverde possesses a robust background in behavioral path planning and trajectory optimization, having previously led the development of safety-critical algorithms at Torc Robotics as a Senior Autonomy Engineer. Prior experience includes significant contributions to Level 4 automated systems at Daimler Trucks North America and innovative robotic solutions at HDT Robotics. Valverde holds a Master of Science in Robotics from Northwestern University and a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering and Cognitive Science from the University of Pennsylvania, complemented by a Self-Driving Car Nanodegree from Udacity. A strong foundation in robotics engineering was established through various research and internship roles, including at Northrop Grumman Corporation and the GRASP Lab.