Matthew
Chang, PE
Founder, Chang Robotics
A visionary leader and accomplished engineer with over 20 years of experience in advanced manufacturing, holding professional engineering licenses in both the United States and China. He founded Chang Robotics to help American companies meet their workforce challenges through advanced technology.
The Engineer
Two decades on the floor. A career spent building.
- 20+
- Years in Advanced Manufacturing
- 20
- Engineering Disciplines Led
- 2017
- Founded Chang Robotics
- US + CN
- Professional Engineering Licenses
Matthew Chang, PE, has led engineering projects across 20 disciplines in multiple countries, including designing the first autonomous mass transit system commissioned for a municipality. His work has earned global recognition for Chang Robotics as one of the top firms for autonomous robotics and cobotics.
He founded Chang Robotics in 2017 with a clear conviction: American manufacturing is under-engineered, not in decline. The firm exists to design, build, and commission automation that actually works for the people who run the floor, choosing the best technology regardless of who made it.
Beyond the firm, Matthew is a builder of ecosystems: chairing an electric-vehicle startup, serving on university and leadership boards, founding a regional venture competition, and helping stand up his city's innovation hub. He is also the author of Risk Taking Is Biblical and host of the ReForge Podcast.
Track Record
Recognition, roles, and a record of building.
TEDx Jacksonville, 2023: “In the Future, Your Coworker Will Be a Robot”
Education
- MBAJacksonville University
- B.S. Civil EngineeringGeorgia Institute of Technology
- 2017
Founded Chang Robotics
Launched the firm to help companies meet workforce challenges through advanced automation, recognized globally as a top firm for autonomous robotics and cobotics.
- 2023
TEDx Jacksonville
Delivered the talk “In the Future, Your Coworker Will Be a Robot,” making the case for human-centered automation on the factory floor.
- 2023
Founded the Jacksonville Venture Competition
Created a platform to grow the regional startup ecosystem and connect founders with capital and mentorship.
- 2024
Organized Jacksonville's Innovation Hub
Brought together university and civic partners to build a center of gravity for technology and entrepreneurship.
- 2025
EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Finalist
Named a finalist for the program recognizing the country's most ambitious and impactful entrepreneurs.
Boards & Civic Leadership
- Chairman of the Board, Kodiak Technologies (EV)
- Board Member, Lifework Leadership
- Board Member, Jacksonville University
- Founder, Jacksonville Venture Competition
On the Mic
Host of the ReForge Podcast
Conversations with the leaders reindustrializing America, from robotics and automation to policy, workforce development, and the future of U.S. manufacturing.
Thought Leadership
Writing on robotics, leadership, and the future of work.
Selected columns and essays on AI-driven robotics, courageous leadership, and building a more human factory floor.
The Rise of AI-Driven Robotics
The dilemmas, needs, and game-changing trends shaping AI-driven robotic systems across defense and industry for 2026 and beyond.
Mar 30 · 4 min readGreat Leaders Take Big Risks
When protecting your people and your mission matters more than certainty: why some leaders decline the acquisition offer.
Feb 5 · 5 min readWe Need Female Leaders in Technology Fields
Why diverse leadership matters in engineering, featuring Chang Robotics President Kate McAfoose, P.E., a two-time Gold Stevie Award winner.
Jan 13 · 3 min readHuman-Centered Robotics and the Future of Work
Why we're building robot hands that lift us, not replace us, and the touch sensitivity that makes it possible.
Dec 9 · 3 min readGet In Touch
Want Matthew to speak, or to solve a problem on your floor?
Reach out for speaking engagements, interviews, and media, or to talk through an automation challenge with the team he built.