Massimo Piazza
space systems
computer vision
telecommunications
autonomy
deeptech startup advisor
I am an engineer with 6 years of working experience in the aerospace industry and a
MSc in Space Engineering from Politecnico di Milano.
Over my career, I've led the development of vision-based navigation technologies for autonomous
spacecraft, coordinated cross-functional teams of a complex SatCom constellation program, developed
simulation and flight software, and trained AI models.
I started my career developing vision-based perception techniques for close-proximity operations in space, later leading their development at Infinite Orbits as one of the founding engineers. My responsibilities ranged from onboard software and project management to systems engineering and AIV/AIT support for a camera / star tracker launched on a small satellite mission.
I then moved into a systems engineering role focused on establishing and
monitoring technical budgets of a 600-satellite constellation program for
telecommunications. I was also in charge of supporting requirements/interface
management, V&V planning and MBSE modeling.
I eventually worked as a Mission Integration Engineer at Exolaunch, dealing with
SpaceX Falcon 9 launch campaigns, spacecraft integration, vibration testing and
mission management.
My work on deep learning-based satellite navigation has been presented at
international conferences and published in a peer-reviewed journal.
My academic background spans across a diverse array of disciplines, including:
Systems Engineering, Deep Learning, Orbital Mechanics, ADCS, Space Propulsion, Signal
Processing, Telecommunications and Structural Dynamics. Additionally, I have gained an early
hands-on experience through my involvement with the Skyward Experimental Rocketry association,
of which I led the Aerodynamics & Flight Dynamics department.
While still in high school I embarked on an entrepreneurial journey, as the Co-founder & CTO of WatchApp Inc. During this time I created innovative software keyboard solutions for iOS.
Work & Projects
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Consulting for DeepTech
Advisory and hands-on support for DeepTech startups and investors, with a focus on aerospace & defense.
aerospace & defense system architect agile systems engineering vision-based perception & autonomy technical due diligence VC scouting org buildout
- Aerospace & Defense system architect: mission & ConOps, system budgets, trades, reqs/interfaces, contractor/vendor selection, advanced concepts
- Agile systems engineering: iterative development, acceptance strategies, traceability automation, toolchain integration
- Vision-based perception & autonomy: model training, dataset strategy, HIL testbeds, hardware deployment
- Technical due diligence for VCs/corporates: architecture review, technical budgets, risk register, roadmap credibility, TRL assessment, supplier maturity
- VC scouting: first-pass technical screening, landscape mapping, founder conversations (strong network in Berlin/Toulouse)
- Fundraising & proposals: pitch/whitepaper writing, techno-economic models, proposal writing (e.g. EIC/EDF/ESA/DOD)
- Org buildout: recruiting plans, role definitions, technical hiring, onboarding, RACI and delivery governance
- Diagnostic (1–2 weeks): focused review with findings & actions
- Sprint (4–6 weeks): build or fix a concrete capability
- Part-time: ongoing systems/tech advisor embedded with your team