About
Sydney Katz holds a PhD in Aeronautics and Astronautics from Stanford, where their research focused on safe machine learning. They have held positions at Reliable Robotics, MIT Lincoln Laboratory, Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory, and NASA, and have authored a textbook on validation algorithms and taught a course on validation of safety-critical systems at Stanford.
Co-Founder and CTO at ValgoYC W26
Intro paths
Sydney went through Y Combinator (Winter 2026) — any YC alum in your network can reach them through the YC community.
Their group partner at YC was Jared Friedman, General Partner at Y Combinator — the partner who ran Valgo's batch and knows the company first-hand. YC profile ↗
In turn, Sydney can intro founders to Valgo's investors below.
Valgo's investors · 3
Co-founders at Valgo
Experience
- Stanford UniversityLecturercurrent2026 — presentStanford, California, United States
- ValgoCo-Founder and CTOcurrent2025 — present
- Stanford Intelligent Systems LaboratoryPostdoctoral Researcher2023 — 2025Stanford, California, United States
- Stanford Intelligent Systems LaboratoryGraduate Research Assistant2018 — 2023Stanford, CA
- Reliable Robotics CorporationGNC Intern2022
- MIT Lincoln LaboratorySummer Research Intern2018Lexington, MA
- Washington University in St. LouisResidential Peer Mentor2015 — 2018Greater St. Louis Area
- Washington University in St. LouisResearch Assistant2014 — 2016Greater St. Louis Area
- WOOTA, LLCChief Technology Officer2014 — 2018St. Louis, MO
- MIT Lincoln LaboratorySummer Intern2017Lexington, MA
- Infoscitex CorporationOperations Analyst Intern2017Greater St. Louis Area
- The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics LaboratorySummer Intern2016Laurel, Maryland
- NASA Glenn Research CenterLERCIP Intern2015Cleveland/Akron, Ohio Area
- NASA Glenn Research CenterLERCIP Intern2014Cleveland/Akron, Ohio Area
- NASA Glenn Research CenterSummer Intern2013Cleveland/Akron, Ohio Area
Education
- Stanford UniversityDoctor of Philosophy - PhD, Aerospace2020 — 2023
- Stanford UniversityMaster's degree, Aerospace2018 — 2020
- Washington University in St. LouisBachelor of Science - BS, Electrical Engineering2014 — 2018
- Revere High School2010 — 2014
Skills & more
From Sydney's professional profile.
Same school
Also attended Stanford University1,784
+ 1,778 more
Also attended Washington University in St. Louis147
+ 141 more
Shared employers
Also worked at Stanford University466
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+ 460 more
Also worked at Valgo1
Also worked at Reliable Robotics Corporation5
Also worked at MIT Lincoln Laboratory17
+ 11 more