Overview
Makinen is a Principal at NVIDIA as of June 2026[1][3]. Makinen brings approximately 25 years of experience in wireless and edge infrastructure[2]. Prior to joining NVIDIA, Makinen served as CTO and co-founder at Saddleye from 2022 to 2025[6], and held the position of CTO and Technology Partner at REDBIRD Network from 2025 to June 2026[4]. Makinen's earlier career included roles at Spectrum as Senior Director of Technology for Innovation and Wireless Systems Engineering from 2017 to 2022[7], and at Nokia Bell Labs as Head of Digital Automation and Innovation Labs and Principal System Expert from 2015 to 2017[8]. Makinen spent 19 years at Nokia from 1996 to 2015 as Head of Advanced Radio Technology and Principal System Expert[9]. Makinen holds a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science from Metropolia University of Applied Sciences[10].
Profile introduction
After 25 years building the wireless and edge infrastructure this convergence depends on, I've joined the team at the center of it. AI-RAN, a parallel compute platform — one that runs the RAN, optimizes it with AI, and hosts real-time edge inference and physical AI workloads on the same GPU fabric simultaneously. That changes what's possible. The platform is here. The window to shape how partners deploy it, monetize it, and build on it is now. AI-RAN redefines what a RAN deployment can deliver — not just faster radio access, but a GPU-accelerated platform that simultaneously runs network func…
Career history
- PrincipalJun 2026 to presentNVIDIA
- CTO | Technology Partner2025 to Jun 2026REDBIRD Network
- Technology Advisory2023 to Jun 2026Unikie
- CTO | co-founder2022 to 2025Saddleye
- Senior Director of Technology | Innovation & Wireless Systems Engineering2017 to 2022Spectrum
- Head of Digital Automation & Innovation Labs | Principal System Expert2015 to 2017Nokia Bell Labs
- Head of Advanced Radio Technology | Principal System Expert1996 to 2015Nokia
Education
Bachelor's degree, Computer ScienceMetropolia University of Applied Sciences
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