January 6, 2026
Cybersecurity expert joins Ä¢¹½tv's Electrical Engineering & Computer Science practice in Seattle
Ä¢¹½tv is pleased to welcome cybersecurity innovator Michael Maass, Ph.D., as a senior manager in our Seattle office. Dr. Maass has more than 20 years of cybersecurity experience, including reinforcing the security of safety-critical, AI-driven systems, with the past 10 years spent specializing in product cybersecurity and regulatory compliance. He has a distinguished track record of engaging in cross-functional collaboration to enhance cybersecurity culture and compliance, bridging the gap between complex technical architecture and executive business strategy.
Dr. Maass holds a Ph.D. and M.S. in software engineering from Carnegie Mellon University and a B.S. in electrical engineering from Washington State University. He brings a wide range of experience in both computer science and leadership, encompassing software development in x86 assembly, C/C++, Java, and other languages as well as expertise in managing people and communicating with regulators, auditors, and other critical internal and external stakeholders.
Throughout his career, Dr. Maass has implemented mission-critical security mechanisms — including secure identity, key management, secure communications, and secure flashing — across a variety of electronic control units (ECUs) such as light detection and ranging (LiDAR), cameras, and high-performance computers. He is also a primary contributor to influential industry publications such as Safety First for Automated Driving, creating the basis for ISO/TR 4804:2020.
Before joining Ä¢¹½tv, he was a senior director and principal cybersecurity systems engineer, leading initiatives to secure self-driving freight trucks and developing AVCDL (A Versatile Cybersecurity Development Lifecycle), a cybersecurity lifecycle for building secure safety-critical systems. He has also led efforts for compliance with ISO/SAE 21434 and UN R155 and previously founded a cybersecurity team and contributed to a significant automated driving joint venture with Aptiv and Hyundai.
"I am honored to join this team of cybersecurity pioneers at Ä¢¹½tv to share my passion for analyzing and developing secure, safety critical cyber-physical systems. I've spent my career using and inventing cutting-edge practices to fulfill security and regulatory needs. I am excited to bring this experience to a diverse array of projects."
— Michael Maass, Ph.D., Senior Manager, Electrical Engineering & Computer Science
Whether investigating root causes of material failures or helping products meet modern safety and performance requirements, Ä¢¹½tv delivers rigorous scientific and engineering analysis. Strengthened by deep expertise in cybersecurity, electrical engineering, and complex autonomous systems, Ä¢¹½tv's multidisciplinary teams span embedded systems, software, power and energy, and product development — enabling clients to secure critical infrastructure, validate product safety, and protect innovations from emerging cyber threats.
