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10 IBM engineering leaders
These ten IBM engineering and technology leaders include IBM CTOs for units such as IBM Systems, watsonx, IBM Apptio and quantum-centric supercomputing, along with IBM Fellows and research and engineering directors. A reader can learn how IBM sets technical strategy and moves research into products across hardware, software, AI, security and consulting.
Professionals to explore
01—10Christian Jacobi
LinkedInExperience: IBM Fellow & CTO, IBM Systems Development · IBM
IBM Fellow & CTO, IBM Systems Development at IBM since 2024, a role the profile lists at C-level in Engineering and Technical. Other IBM roles listed include IBM Fellow, CTO System Architecture & Design, zSystems (2022–2024), Distinguished Engineer Chief Architect for IBM Z processors (2016–2022) and Senior Technical Staff Member Hardware Design (2012–2016).
Jerry M. Chow
LinkedInExperience: Chief Technology Officer of Quantum-Centric Supercomputing, IBM Research and IBM Fellow · IBM
Chief Technology Officer of Quantum-Centric Supercomputing, IBM Research and IBM Fellow since 2025; the profile describes leading strategy for quantum-centric supercomputing within IBM Research and IBM Quantum, combining quantum hardware, high-performance classical computing and AI. Other IBM roles listed include IBM Fellow and Director (2022–2025) and Manager, Experimental Quantum Computing (2014–2019).
Mahbod Tavallaee, Ph.D.
LinkedInExperience: CTO and Head of Engineering AI & Cybersecurity Platforms · IBM
CTO and Head of Engineering AI & Cybersecurity Platforms at IBM since 2025; the profile says the role leads a global organization of over 120 technical product managers, software engineers, security engineers and data scientists building IBM's AI and cybersecurity platforms. Former Head of Product and Engineering Cybersecurity Services at IBM (2023–2025).
Matt Roberts
LinkedInExperience: Distinguished Engineer and CTO, IBM Integration and Messaging core software · IBM
Distinguished Engineer and CTO, IBM Integration and Messaging core software at IBM since 2026; the profile says the role carries technical responsibility for the IBM Integration portfolio, including IBM MQ, Cloud Pak for Integration, App Connect, DataPower and Aspera. Other IBM roles listed include Distinguished Engineer and CTO, IBM Integration (2022–2024) and CTO, IBM Integration (2021–2022).
Matt Sanchez
LinkedInExperience: Vice President & Chief Technology Officer, IBM Apptio · IBM
Vice President & Chief Technology Officer, IBM Apptio since 2026, a role the profile says covers technology strategy and platform architecture. Former Vice President & CTO, watsonx Orchestrate at IBM (2025–2026) and Founder and CTO of CognitiveScale (2013–2022); the profile also lists Global Chief Data and AI Officer at Tecnotree Corporation (2023–2024).
Prashant Pradhan
LinkedInExperience: Vice President and CTO · IBM
Vice President and CTO at IBM since 2024; the profile headline places this role at IBM Consulting. Other IBM roles listed include Vice President and CTO, Asia Pacific (2018–2024), CTO, IBM India South Asia (2017–2018) and Watson business leader, IBM India South Asia (2016–2017).
Ranjan Sinha, Ph.D.
LinkedInExperience: IBM Fellow, VP, and CTO, watsonx, IBM Research AI, Enterprise AI and Data · IBM
IBM Fellow, VP, and CTO, watsonx, IBM Research AI, Enterprise AI and Data at IBM since 2024. Other IBM roles listed include IBM Fellow, Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, IBM Global Chief Data Office (2020–2023) and Vice President, Data Engineering and Cognitive Services, IBM Global Chief Data Office (2016–2019). The profile describes translating research breakthroughs into production-grade enterprise AI.
Ruchir Puri
LinkedInExperience: Vice President, IBM Technology & Technical Community · IBM
Vice President, IBM Technology & Technical Community since 2021 and Chief Scientist, IBM Research IBM Fellow since 2019. Former CTO & Chief Architect, IBM Watson IBM Fellow (2016–2019); the profile notes technical, research and engineering leadership roles across IBM's AI and Research businesses.
Scott Crowder
LinkedInExperience: Vice President IBM Quantum, CTO IBM Systems, Technical Strategy & Transformation · IBM
Vice President IBM Quantum, CTO IBM Systems, Technical Strategy & Transformation at IBM since 2015; the profile describes creating and leading the commercial IBM Quantum Program, including system and software development and cloud services deployment. Other IBM roles listed include CTO, Vice President Strategy STG Development & Manufacturing (2013–2015) and Director, Semiconductor Research and Development (2003–2006).
Stephanie Kuan
LinkedInExperience: Director, AI Platform Engineering, IBM Research · IBM
Director, AI Platform Engineering, IBM Research at IBM since 2024; the profile says the role leads a distributed IBM Research team that integrates IBM Research innovations into IBM's product portfolio, including the watsonx platform stack. Other IBM roles listed include Program Director watsonx Platform, IBM Research (2022–2024) and Senior Software Development Manager, IBM Z Data & AI (2019–2022).
Choose the right perspective
Match the person's unit to your question: product and platform CTOs suit questions about architecture and roadmaps, while research and technical-community leaders suit questions about moving research into products. Check whether each IBM role is current or past before asking about recent practices.
Questions to take into the conversation
- 01How do division-level CTOs at a large technology company divide responsibility with product and engineering leaders?
- 02What processes help move research prototypes into supported enterprise products?
- 03How should a CTO organize technical strategy for a portfolio that spans hardware, software and services?
About this directory
This is a professional research starting point based on business profile data retrieved on . Titles and companies reflect that source snapshot and may describe past or present roles. Check the linked profiles for current details. Inclusion does not imply Instant Expert membership or availability.
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