A truly global automotive company, Nissan joined the MIT LGO partnership in 2019. Based on the principles of lean production that inspired the launch of LGO, today Nissan operates the highest-volume automotive assembly plant in North America, and is a pioneer in the Industrial Internet of Things. As a partner, Nissan offers LGO internships in a wide range of fields within their manufacturing and supply chain network. Nissan also recruits LGOs to join the growing group of program alumni within the company. Internships will address such topics as technology-driven automatic quality inspection, simulations to identify bottlenecks and reduce downtime, and paint chemistry process improvements.
Kyle Danner (LGO ’20)
Location: Smyrna, TN
Research topic: Manufacturing/Lean optimization
Surface quality defects impact a car’s perceived quality. Kyle’s project aimed at using automated inspection methods to reduce surface defects and avoid costly downstream repairs. Kyle worked with experienced inspectors to calibrate an optical inspection system which proved to be highly effective in accurate defect identification.
David Walker (LGO ’13)
Director, US Product Line, Nissan
At LGO: MBA & SM Mechanical Engineering
Previous studies: Duke, Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science
After a career in aerospace prior to LGO, David hired on with Nissan in 2013, starting as a program manager on the Nissan Altima and LEAF programs before a role as a manufacturing manager in Nissan’s plant in Smyrna, Tennessee, just outside his home town of Nashville. Since 2017, David has overseen the launch of new models and started up a new paint line in a plant outside of Newcastle upon Tyne in the UK, before returning to the United States for engineering and strategic roles.
JS Bolton (LGO ’14)
Director, Production, Nissan
At LGO: MBA & SM Civil and Environmental Engineering
Previous studies: Yale, Mechanical Engineering and History
JS joined Nissan after conducting her LGO internship there, and has held multiple shop floor roles of increasing responsibility in both supply chain and manufacturing in Tennessee and Mississippi. In 2020 she became one of the youngest Nissan leaders promoted to Director. She previously led strategic projects related to preventative maintenance, throughput bottlenecks, and, outside of operations, with dealership fleet sales and impact to resale values. In 2023 JS relocated to England to help lead the Nissan Sunderland plant designated as one of the company’s key electric vehicle production sites.
Federico Marcowicz (LGO ’17)
Director, Supply Chain Logistics, Nissan
At LGO: MBA & SM Mechanical Engineering
Previous studies: Technion, Mechanical Engineering
Previously a helicopter maintenance leader in the Israeli Defense Force, Federico now pursues both operational and strategic roles in Nissan’s supply chain team. He leads the team responsible for the Regional Supply Chain Digitalization strategy for US, Canada, and Mexico across several manufacturing facilities. In 2023 he relocated to Mexico as a leader of Nissan’s major factory in the country.
Robert (Bobby) Addy (LGO ’20)
Senior Manager, EV Transformation and Connected Car, Nissan
At LGO: MBA & SM Mechanical Engineering
Previous studies: University of Glasgow, Naval Architecture & Ocean Engineering
After a career as a Naval Architect in the offshore oil & gas industry prior to LGO, Bobby completed his internship at Nissan and joined the company full-time after graduation. He initially led the Supply Chain Data & Analytics team, focused on executing digital transformation projects for the US and Mexico operations. After a stint as Technical Assistant to SVP of Manufacturing & Supply Chain, Bobby now helps lead the company’s EV transformation.
