Makan Taghavi
Studied at New York University
Works at NVIDIA
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About Makan
Hi, I’m Makan, a Senior Product Manager at NVIDIA, former Qualcomm PM, and engineer by training. Over the past decade, I’ve built and launched highly technical products spanning AI, accelerated computing, image processing, audio, mobile, automotive, and XR. My path has taken me across engineering, creative technology, and business, supported by an MS from NYU and an MBA from UC Irvine. I know firsthand how difficult it can be to break into product management, translate a technical background into a compelling narrative, and navigate highly competitive interviews. Having successfully gone through PM recruiting processes at companies including NVIDIA, Google and Meta, I can help you sharpen your resume, develop stronger product and execution thinking, build memorable behavioral stories, and approach interviews with greater structure and confidence. My coaching style is candid, supportive, and highly practical. I won’t give you generic frameworks to memorize we’ll dig into your specific experiences, identify what differentiates you, and turn it into a clear and credible story. Whether you’re an engineer transitioning into PM, an experienced PM targeting your next role, or someone pursuing technical product opportunities in AI and big tech, I’ll meet you where you are and help you build a focused plan for getting where you want to go.
Why do I coach?
I coach because I know how difficult it can be to recognize your own value and even harder to communicate it convincingly to others. My path into product management wasn’t linear: I moved across software engineering, creative technology, and business before building my career at Qualcomm and NVIDIA. Early on, experiences that now differentiate me often felt disconnected, and I had to learn how to turn them into a coherent professional story. Thoughtful mentors, candid feedback, and people willing to advocate for me made a meaningful difference throughout that journey. Coaching gives me the opportunity to offer that same clarity and support to others. I genuinely enjoy helping people uncover the strengths they may be overlooking, understand what hiring teams are really evaluating, and approach important career decisions with greater confidence. For me, the most rewarding moment is when someone stops trying to fit a generic image of the “perfect” candidate and begins presenting their own experience as the compelling advantage it already is.
Work Experience
Senior Technical Product Manager | AI in Data Processing
NVIDIA
September 2024 - Present
At NVIDIA, I lead product strategy for AI in GPU-accelerated data-processing technologies spanning data compression, image processing, and high-performance data movement. I own the product lifecycle from customer discovery and roadmap development through technical validation, go-to-market strategy, launch, and ecosystem adoption. My work focuses on removing critical data bottlenecks in AI and other compute-intensive workloads. I partner closely with engineering, developer relations, sales, marketing, and industry teams to translate complex technical challenges into scalable products used across areas such as large-scale AI, healthcare and life sciences, scientific computing, semiconductor design, and visual-data processing. A central part of my role is connecting deep engineering innovation with real customer value—identifying the right problems, prioritizing product investments, aligning diverse stakeholders, and helping developers successfully adopt advanced GPU technologies.
AI Product Manager
Qualcomm
March 2020 - September 2024
Working as part for the AI product team, managing Low Power AI (Always-on Audio/Voice, Always Sensing Camera and Sensors) and Audio Software Roadmap, product planning, GTM strategy, and partnerships across multiple business units – Mobile, XR, Compute, Automotive, and IoT. ● Drove 100+ design wins from lead OEMs and ISVs, contributing to $20M+ new revenue growth across multiple market segments globally. ● Managed and launched Low Power AI development tools - adopted on over 80% of platforms within the first year of release. ● Led the end-to-end software product development cycle - reducing Time to Market (TTM) by 30% across SoC lifecycle. ● Steered business partnerships with multiple leading AI and audio vendors, contributing to $5M+ new revenue growth. ● Guided the revamp of audio software and services pricing model, contributing to a 30% increase in design wins and 15% additional revenue increase. ● Spearheaded marketing campaigns for trade shows and analyst briefings to promote Audio, Low Power AI, and on-device Generative AI technologies. https://www.qualcomm.com/news/releases/2023/10/qualcomm-launches-premium-snapdragon-8-gen-3-to-bring-generative Qualcomm Audio and Voice Team: https://www.qualcomm.com/products/audio Business Insights, Product Leadership and +29 skills
R&D Engineer
Mach Industries
May 2019 - March 2020
Conducted research, and development of spatial audio evaluation systems and post-production workflows for Mach1 spatial audio engine. Virtual Reality (VR), Software Development and +3 skills
Assistant designer
NYU
February 2018 - October 2019
Collaborated on the multi-award-winning project at NYU's Future Reality Lab, developing a pioneering VR app for rehabilitating patients with vestibular dysfunctions using motion and sound cues. Helped design the soundscape using Wwise, Unity, and Pro Tools, incorporating traditional sound objects and Ambisonics spatial audio recording. The project earned multiple awards, grants, and led to highly acclaimed publications in physical therapy, computer science, and immersive audio.
Audio Engineer
HOBO Audio
September 2017 - March 2020
Makan was also given offers to work at
Meta
Education
Paul Merage School of Business
Master of Business Administration - MBA
2021 - 2024
New York University
Master's degree, Computer Science and Audio Processing
2016 - 2018
Thesis of the year award Computer Science
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