Meet Rajiv, Senior Director of Engineering with Global Operations Technology

Hi, I am Rajiv Tikoo, Senior Director of Engineering at Coupang. With over 23 years of experience, I have led and built software solutions across industries like e-commerce, Automotive, Fintech, and AI-driven content generation and audiobooks. 

Before Coupang, I was Head of Engineering and CTO for a text to speech app company, where I managed global teams in 22 countries (fun fact). We tripled the business, scaling it to 20 million customers and launched new products like audiobooks and AI solutions, which I developed from the ground up. Prior to that, I spent nearly nine years in a global e-commerce company, leading initiatives in fast & free delivery, Operations Technology, and Fintech, driving innovation and managing global teams. 

At Coupang, I oversee several teams within the Global Operations Technology (GOT) organization. What drew me to Coupang was the company values, the fast-paced, startup-style environment and the opportunity to innovate in fulfillment and robotics while optimizing operations on a large scale.  

What are some of the most rewarding aspects of your role?    

I am genuinely passionate about the meaningful optimizations we drive within Coupang’s fulfillment centers. Every improvement directly impacts both cost savings and faster delivery for customers, significantly enhancing their overall experience. It’s incredibly rewarding to see instant results from process improvements that make our fulfillment associates more efficient and productive.  

Our automation initiatives are equally exciting as they simplify operations, streamline workflows, and lay the groundwork for future robotics-based advancements. The potential for robotics-driven automation holds immense promise in further transforming our operations and driving scalable efficiencies that benefit both customers and associates alike. 

What makes Coupang unique in supporting engineering excellence?    

Coupang stands out for its relentless focus on innovation and its commitment to solving complex operational challenges at scale. The company empowers engineers to build impactful solutions that directly enhance customer experience, such as optimizing fulfillment center operations and enabling faster, more efficient deliveries. 

What truly sets Coupang apart is the culture of ownership and continuous learning. Engineers are encouraged to experiment, innovate, and deploy solutions quickly, with the freedom to take bold initiatives. There is emphasis on leveraging automation and robotics, which allows us to simplify operations and develop next-generation technologies. This forward-thinking approach, combined with cross-functional collaboration, promotes an environment where engineers can thrive and deliver meaningful, scalable results. 

My vision is to build engineering solutions that scale globally, driving operational efficiency and delivering exceptional customer experiences. We aim to maximize our homegrown footprint in fulfillment center automation and robotics, leveraging the latest advancements in AI and computer vision to create smarter, more autonomous operations. 

A key focus will be on building highly resilient, performant, and scalable infrastructure that ensures operational continuity across regions. Operational resilience at a global scale is critical as Coupang continues to expand and evolve.   

Equally important is fostering top-performing engineering teams with a culture of excellence, innovation, and continuous learning. I envision consistently raising the bar for technical expertise, collaboration, and leadership year after year, making Coupang a destination for world-class engineering talent. 

Finally, I am passionate about driving a mindset where engineers take bold ownership of problems, innovate at scale, and deliver solutions that make a tangible difference for our customers and business. 

Our mission is to build a futuristic fulfillment technology architecture that can support  growth and drive Coupang’s global success. We are committed to maximizing automation and robotics across fulfillment centers, ensuring efficiency, scalability, and innovation at every stage.