Renen Bassik

My Greatest Accomplishment

As a multidisciplinary systems architect, my most significant achievements encompass designing, integrating and managing complex, human-centric collaborative systems in fields such as surgical robotics, industrial automation, robotic manipulation and AI. I have led teams at Amazon in creating robotic manipulation systems that process billions of items and have played a key role in architecting robotic surgical systems, including Medtronic’s Hugo, Stryker Mako’s RIO and Mazor’s Renaissance, which is used to performed millions of procedures across the globe. Currently, at Collaborative Robotics, I am leading transformational change for a diverse range of clients, accelerating their flywheel of innovation and reducing risks tied to large-scale robotics deployments. My work has resulted in more than 10 patents, covering implantable devices, surgical robotics, laboratory automation and human-robot collaboration. Above all this, I prioritize life outside of work, whether it’s through engaging in dragon boating, serving on my town’s recreation committee or answering the profound questions posed by my curious child.

How Drexel Helped Me

I chose Drexel for its hands-on learning and global exposure through its co-op program and study abroad opportunities. These experiences enriched my journey in systems engineering, robotics and AI with diverse perspectives and practical skills. This education shaped my ability to navigate international teams and innovate with a global mindset, which has become a hallmark of my approach to complex technological challenges.

Where I Hope to Be in Five Years

In my mentorship sessions, I often share a piece of advice with other engineers: the landscape of our lives and careers can shift dramatically in five years. That’s why I recommend establishing one- and three-year plans; they provide a focused framework for tackling objectives with defined principles and actionable goals. Of course, everything changed for the better when I started my family. In five years, I hope to be outdoors, jumping into large piles of leaves we made, or, in true engineer fashion, maybe crafting a robot together to take over the raking.

How I Pay It Forward

I may be biased, but I am convinced that the more people think like systems engineers, the better our solutions to complex problems will become. This philosophy inspired me to establish the Systems Engineering Community of Practice at Amazon, where we champion the integration of diverse perspectives into a cohesive, systems-oriented framework. In my career, I have consistently worked to empower individuals from both technical and non-technical backgrounds, enabling them to adopt a flexible, systems-thinking approach to untangle challenges and drive forward progress, even amidst uncertainty. By mentoring budding engineers, facilitating workshops and leading by example, I strive to instill this approach in others, demonstrating how a structured yet flexible mindset can simplify the intricate and often convoluted issues we face in the modern world.