United Technologies’ chief technology officer Paul Eremenko has resigned after two years at his post, departing as the company tackles advanced-technology projects launched on his watch.
Connecticut-based UTC confirms the resignation of Eremenko, an engineer with Silicon Valley ties who joined UTC less than two years ago from Airbus.
“Paul Eremenko has informed us of his decision to pursue other opportunities outside United Technologies,” the company says in a statement.
UTC announced Eremenko’s departure internally to staff on 17 September, it says.
Nicolas Pujet, who helps lead UTC’s strategy organisation, will head its technology and engineering unit on “an interim basis as we plan for the Raytheon merger”, UTC says.
UTC expects to complete its merger with defence company Raytheon in the first half of 2020.
Eremenko joined UTC in early 2018 and quickly made clear his interest in helping UTC advance disruptive technologies like cleaner-burning propulsion systems.
Under Eremenko UTC formed United Technologies Advanced Projects, a unit charged with developing a hybrid-electric propulsion system for a regional airliner.
That project, which the company calls Project 804, is a collaboration between UTAP and other UTC subsidiaries Collins Aerospace and Pratt & Whitney Canada.
They are working to develop a 1MW system that they intend to demonstrated on a De Havilland Canada Dash 8-100 regional airliner. The hybrid-electric system will replace one of the Dash 8’s turboprops.
Airbus hired Eremenko in 2015 to lead a newly formed research and development outpost called A^3.
A year later Airbus promoted Eremenko to chief technology officer, a post he held until leaving abruptly in November 2017 to take the UTC role.
Source: FlightGlobal.com
