John Cotter
About John Cotter
John Cotter is the Functional Leader of ADAS/AD at Nikola Motor Company, with extensive experience in engineering roles at Daimler Trucks North America and PACCAR.
Professional Experience at Nikola Motor Company
John Cotter currently serves as the Functional Leader, ADAS/AD at Nikola Motor Company in Phoenix, Arizona. He has been in this role since 2022. Before this, he worked as Senior Manager, ADAS/AD and FCEV Vehicle Controls from 2019 to 2022. His responsibilities have included leading advanced driver assistance systems and autonomous driving projects, as well as overseeing vehicle controls for fuel cell electric vehicles.
Senior Test Engineer at Daimler Trucks North America
From 2013 to 2019, John Cotter was a Senior Test Engineer at Daimler Trucks North America in Portland, Oregon. Prior to this, he served in the same company as both Senior Test Engineer and Senior Design Engineer from 2010 to 2013. During his tenure, he focused on testing and designing various systems for commercial vehicles, contributing to advancements in vehicle safety and performance.
Early Career Roles
John Cotter's early career includes positions such as Design Engineer at PACCAR from 2007 to 2009 in Kirkland, WA, and Electrical Test Engineer at Freightliner from 2005 to 2007 in Portland, Oregon. Additionally, he operated as the Sole Proprietor of Faranectics in 2009 in Bellevue, WA. These roles provided him with a broad foundation in engineering design and testing, equipping him with diverse skills applicable across the automotive industry.
Educational Background
John Cotter earned a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering (MSME) with a focus on Control Systems from Portland State University, where he studied from 2005 to 2007. Before this, he achieved a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering (BSME) with a focus on Controls from Seattle University, completing his studies in 2005. His academic background has provided a strong foundation for his professional expertise in mechanical engineering and control systems.