Hi, I’m Paul McLachlan.
I build data and AI platforms that turn research into real-world systems.
I’ve spent 20+ years leading engineering teams at companies like NinjaTrader, BigFix, Rivian, Ericsson, and Wikimedia Foundation, scaling teams from 2 to 60+, launching cloud-native products, and shipping AI systems used by millions.
I live in San Francisco.
Work Highlights
NinjaTrader/Kraken
Selected to lead a CEO-sponsored AI initiative; built a customer-facing agentic framework from scratch with a 5-engineer team, shipping months ahead of roadmap to serve 2M+ traders.
BigFix
Led the transformation of a legacy enterprise security platform into a cloud-native SaaS business.
Scaled engineering from 8 → 60 globally and delivered the first product four years ahead of roadmap.
Rivian
Built petabyte-scale data platforms during factory ramp-up and led ML research that reduced DC fast-charge time 35%.
Deployed ML systems that saved $3M+ annually in scrap and rework.
Ericsson
Led the San Francisco AI Center of Excellence and managed a large research portfolio.
Directed low-latency and security research resulting in 20+ patents and industry partnerships with MIT and others.
Wikipedia
One of the platform’s earliest system administrators.
Designed foundational security and abuse-detection infrastructure still reflected in today’s systems.
Speaking at the “How can LatAm startups leverage 5G” panel at Mita Tech Talks in Punta de Mita.
Sunset in San Francisco from Mt. Davidson.
Work
My career sits at the intersection of platform engineering, machine learning, and product delivery.
I specialize in building teams and systems during inflection points:
Scaling early teams into global organizations.
Modernizing legacy systems into cloud-native platforms.
Turning research into production AI.
I’m most comfortable where technical depth meets organizational complexity — aligning engineers, product leaders, and executives around clear outcomes and shipping durable systems that last.
Across roles, the pattern is consistent: fewer slides, more systems, measurable results.
Writing
Notes on building durable systems, leading through inflection points, and the things I wish someone had written down sooner.
Personal
Outside of work, I split my time between San Francisco hills, long walks, and staying connected to my American and New Zealand roots. I serve on the board of the New Zealand American Association of San Francisco.
My path into tech was unconventional. I dropped out of high school, got my GED, and later earned degrees from Columbia University, George Washington University, and a PhD from University of California, San Diego. That makes me one of fewer than 100 Americans with both a GED and a PhD.
That experience shaped how I think about opportunity, mentorship, and building inclusive engineering teams.
Recent Publications and Patents
Author on 28+ patents and multiple peer-reviewed publications across extended reality, privacy-preserving systems, and distributed infrastructure.
Speaking
I enjoy translating complex technical topics for broader audiences and regularly speak about AI, security, and engineering leadership.
Appearances include OpenShift Commons, the DRUM Award-winning UnBoxed Office series, Noticieros Televisa, and industry meetups across the Americas.
Awards
I'm proud to have led a team of nearly 400 Ericsson volunteers in a COVID-19 response effort recognized as the best corporate initiative by the Global Business Alliance.
In academia, I've been honored with several prestigious accolades, including a RAPID Grant from the National Science Foundation and fellowships at the San Diego Supercomputer Center.