Mauricio Hernandez-Distancia, Ph.D.

Dr. Mauricio Hernandez-Distancia is the Head of High-Performance Computers and HW Program Management at Stellantis, where he is responsible for developing and launching the STLA Brain High-Performance Computers (HPCs) embedded on the new platform that will power nearly 80% of Stellantis' 14 iconic brands. In this role, he oversees cutting-edge automotive technologies that will shape the future of mobility.

Before joining Stellantis, Dr. Hernandez-Distancia held senior leadership positions at Continental, where he was Director and Head of Central Engineering Americas for Vehicle Networking and Information. He managed the development of automotive body controllers, door/seat/gate controllers, wireless networked devices, and connectivity products across North and South America. Dr. Hernandez-Distancia also served as Director of Body & Security R&D Americas, focusing on automotive access and security systems.

Dr. Hernandez-Distancia’s career began in Germany with SiemensVDO, where he contributed to the development of gasoline engine control units and held various engineering and management roles. He has a wealth of experience in hardware design, product development, and systems engineering within the automotive industry.

In addition to his professional work, Dr. Hernandez-Distancia is an adjunct professor at Oakland University, where he shares his expertise with the next generation of engineers. He holds a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Electrical and Computer Engineering, a Master of Science (MS) in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Oakland University and a Bachelor's in Electronic Systems from Tecnológico de Monterrey, Mexico. Dr. Hernandez-Distancia also completed a Business Management diploma from Henley Business School, UK.