Kartal Cagatay is a systems engineering/thinking professional with almost 20 years of experience in product development across four industries: Defence, Automotive, Medical Device, and Electronics Manufacturing. His work has taken him from Turkey to the United Kingdom, where he currently serves as the Head of Systems at a late-stage medical device start-up.
Throughout his career, Kartal has contributed to the development of a wide range of products, including air defense missile systems, steer-by-wire systems, steering systems for autonomous driving, line robots for electronics manufacturing, and in-vitro diagnostic devices.
Kartal holds an M.Sc. in Control Systems and Mechatronics, along with a Minor in Mechatronics and a B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering, all from Middle East Technical University (METU) in Turkiye. During his time at METU, Kartal gained valuable experience as a Teaching Assistant, where he contributed to academic instruction and honed his skills in conveying complex concepts.
Kartal’s journey in systems engineering began with a strong interest in the field, which he describes as “love at first sight.” Over the years, he has moved from a junior systems engineer to senior roles in systems engineering and product development, including leading various engineering and product development functions and technical projects across different industries. His experience spans nearly all technical and management processes within systems engineering.
In his roles, Kartal has focused on applying and refining systems engineering/thinking practices and principles to enhance product development processes. He finds it particularly rewarding to introduce systems engineering practices to companies that are new to the discipline, helping them grow and adopt more advanced methods. He has also led various Agile initiatives to improve team efficiency and collaboration. Kartal has shared his insights through several publications and presentations.
Outside of work, Kartal enjoys spending time in nature and finds relaxation in reading by the fireplace. He is also an avid bowler, known for his precision and focus, which mirror his approach to his professional life.