Vertical flight pioneer XTI Aerospace, Inc. has appointed Alex Williams PhD as executive vice president of technology. Dr Williams will oversee XTI’s collaboration with Valkyrie AI, focusing initially on integrating mesh autonomous networking and advanced AI technologies into the TriFan family of VTOL aircraft.

With expertise spanning aerospace engineering, technology development, next-gen materials, applied AI and large-scale manufacturing, Dr Williams brings both technical vision and operational execution capability. He has been a strategic advisor to XTI since June 2025, demonstrating his ability to turn emerging technology opportunities into operational advantage.

Dr Williams holds a PhD in mechanical engineering from Georgia Tech, where his research focused on manufacturing technologies and biofuels. He began his career leading next-gen propulsion and aerospace technology programmes for Pratt & Whitney, supporting initiatives for both NASA and the U.S. Air Force, including developments in jet engine design and performance.

Dr Williams then joined Apple for nearly a decade, helping launch new materials and manufacturing processes for products including the iPhone, Apple Watch and Mac, and integrating breakthrough technologies into global supply chains. During this time, he learned the importance of focusing on the customer at every step of the design and development process.

“XTI is methodically building the future of intelligent vertical flight,” says Scott Pomeroy, CEO of XTI. “Dr Williams will be a critical force in positioning the TriFan aircraft portfolio to become a market leader in autonomous and AI-enhanced capabilities, a key factor in the vertical economy.”

Dr Williams will lead technology development, including a focused programme to integrate Valkyrie’s mesh intelligence framework. This system enables real-time coordination across avionics, flight controls and predictive safety systems across independent flying assets, embedding transformative AI capabilities into XTI's next-generation airspace management solutions and moving AI beyond traditional pilot-assist functions.

“The XTI vision for the vertical economy presents one of the most exciting opportunities in modern aerospace,” comments Dr Williams. “By pairing XTI’s vertical flight innovation with Valkyrie’s breakthrough work in distributed network intelligence, I believe we can unlock safer, smarter and more capable aircraft and airspace management solutions. We are building technology that advances not only how aircraft fly, but how an increasingly complex airspace environment can be managed. This is just one of many new technologies that I'm excited to help XTI bring to the world.”

The appointment is another step in XTI’s strategy to expand leadership across all seven pillars of the vertical economy, particularly unmanned systems, AI and advanced aerospace platforms. Near-term priorities include enhanced flight autonomy and onboard decision-making, integrated data-driven maintenance and operational efficiency systems, and accelerating technology development efforts for the TriFan 600.