About

David Allaverdi (Ph.D.) is the Lead Strategy & Innovation at Zuken, a global provider of software solutions for electrical and electronics systems design. Zuken provides a Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) tool and method, helping organizations manage complexity and enhance product development processes.

David’s role combines strategic positioning, market development, and driving innovation through MBSE. He defines target industries, develops marketing strategies, and supports customer acquisition while ensuring alignment between methodical expertise and software development. He positions Zuken as an innovation leader, helping clients tackle complex challenges, manage diverse requirements, and transition from document-based to model-based approaches for greater efficiency and profitability.

David’s background includes extensive experience in the offshore systems industry, where he gained deep knowledge of complex system design, standardization, and configuration management. He also brings nearly eight years of consulting experience at PwC, where he led complex projects and had sales responsibilities, focusing on variety and platform management, standardization, product portfolio management, configuration management, and cost management. As part of PwC’s hydrogen initiative and projects, David contributed to improvements in the hydrogen business and specific client solutions.

David holds a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the Technical University of Munich, where his research focused on complexity management, uncertainty handling, and optimizing large-scale engineering systems. His doctoral thesis, Systematic Identification of Flexible Design Opportunities in Offshore Drilling Systems, introduced methodologies for embedding design flexibility early in system development to improve adaptability for future upgrades.

Prior to that, he earned a Dipl.-Ing. in Mechanical Engineering & Management from the same university, where he expanded his expertise in systematic product development, lightweight & functional structures, and management skills. To further strengthen his management expertise and deepen his understanding of economics, he completed a CAS in Essentials in General Management at the University of St. Gallen, focusing on financial performance, sustainable strategies, and leadership.

Selected Publications

Allaverdi D (2018), Systematic Identification of Flexible Design Opportunities in Offshore Drilling Systems, Verlag Dr. Hut, ISBN: 978-3-8439-3501-2

Dissertation

Allaverdi D and Browning TR (2020), A Methodology for Identifying Flexible Design Opportunities in Large-Scale Systems, published in Systems Engineering, Volume 23, Issue 5, Pages 534-556, DOI: 10.1002/sys.21548.

DOI

Education

CAS in Essentials in General Management, University of St. Gallen | 2023

PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Technical University of Munich | 2017

Dipl.-Ing. in Mechanical Engineering & Management, Technical University of Munich | 2008