William Tomlinson is a proven servant technical leader with over a decade of industry experience in hardware and software development and leading large-scale interdisciplinary technical projects. Currently, William serves as the Director of the Software & Application Innovation Lab (SAIL), Boston University’s own professionally staffed software engineering firm. In this capacity, William is responsible for overseeing operations, shaping, and implementing long-term strategic plans, and managing organizational growth while seeking to develop new opportunities and partnerships. Before joining SAIL, William held the roles of Principal Engineer and Group Leader (technical manager) for the Embedded & Comm. Systems Group at Draper Laboratory (Cambridge, MA). Here he demonstrated proficiency in technical leadership, business development, strategic planning, program management, and developing mission-critical systems for wireless communications. In addition to his career-related responsibilities, William is acutely aware of the national challenge regarding the retention of underrepresented minorities in the STEM fields. He successfully leverages his journey, from engineering PhD student to engineering director, to engage, motivate, inspire, mentor, and conduct meaningful programs for students looking to expand their opportunities outside of the classroom. William received his Ph.D. in Computer Engineering from Northeastern University and an M.S. and B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Michigan State University and North Carolina A&T State University, respectively.

What are you most proud of in your work or life?

The desire to take risks and put myself in uncomfortable situations in order to spur growth

What are your passions and hobbies?

Hobbies: traveling, solo-campaign video games (I’m too washed for online play), trying new fitness challenges, playing with smart home tech, anime/manga bingeing
Passions: giving back to youth, leadership in tech organizations, always finding ways to learn something new

Do you have a personal motto or other words to live by?

“If you don’t ask, the answer is always NO”

Favorite snack food?

Lover of all snacks, salty and crunchy!