Profile Details
As the head of the Science Operations and Engineering division at the Space Telescope Science Institute, Mr. Govind Pande leads the delivery of critical products and services to create, plan, and schedule telescope observations that support exploration of the universe by the astronomical community. His division is responsible for telescope time allocation, program implementation, long-range planning, short-term scheduling, and grants management products for the Hubble Space Telescope, the James Webb Space Telescope, and the upcoming Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope.
Before joining STScI, Mr. Pande made significant contributions as director of software engineering at Capital One for 12 years. He led a large, distributed team, transforming software development through end-to-end automation, cloud-native solutions, and innovative frameworks. He conceptualized, developed, and implemented zero-downtime, enterprise-wide customer platforms to enable next-generation customer experience and servicing. He also established the Site Reliability Engineering (SRE) organization, enhancing business agility, scalability, and system performance through advanced automation and cloud strategies.
Mr. Pande’s career is marked by a rich history of impactful roles across various industries. At the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), he was instrumental in the success of satellite projects such as INSAT-2A and INSAT-2B, designing thermal control systems and pioneering software applications for spacecraft design automation. His experience also includes senior roles at AT&T, Cisco Systems, and Acision, where he led the development of modern telecommunications, VoIP, and mobile messaging software platforms and also spearheaded complex technical programs that drove significant organizational growth.
Throughout his career, Mr. Pande has been an advocate of continuous learning and technological adaptation, staying ahead of industry trends and fostering a culture of innovation and inclusivity. He is dedicated to creating an environment where diverse ideas thrive, and colleagues are empowered to challenge the status quo and propose novel solutions. Mr. Pande holds several patents, including innovations in API-driven, cloud-native continuous testing systems and a service virtualization platform.
Beyond his career commitments, Mr. Pande dedicates his time to community service through nonprofit organizations, where he offers mentorship to minority students and mid-career women, helping them effectively launch and advance their careers. In the past, Mr. Pande has led a nonprofit organization as a president and a board member.
Education:
Master of Technology, Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay, India