Lessons from Caitlin Kalinowski
Caitlin Kalinowski, a mechanical engineer and hardware executive, led development at Apple, Meta, and OpenAI across products including Mac Pro, Oculus Quest, and Orion. Her methods connect rapid prototyping and manufacturing discipline with the ethics of physical AI.
Profile Jul 01, 2026 7 min read Lessons from Caitlin Kalinowski Caitlin Kalinowski is a mechanical engineer and hardware executive who led development at Apple, Meta, and OpenAI. She helped design the Mac Pro, Oculus Quest, and Meta's Orion AR glasses before building OpenAI's robotics team from scratch. This profile covers her methods for prototyping, manufacturing, and handling the ethics of physical AI. Part 1: The Six Steps to Superior Prototyping On non-negotiables: "You have to declare your essential 'must-haves' before you start building, and you must commit to them fully." —…
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