Robert Machlin has joined Echelon as senior vice president, products, replacing Robert Maxfield who has filled the position on an interim basis since April of this year. In this role, Machlin will lead Echelon’s product management and engineering teams.

“I am delighted to welcome Robert Machlin to the senior management team of Echelon,” said Ken Oshman, Echelon’s chairman and chief executive officer. “He brings a wealth of networking industry experience as well as diverse management experience ranging from managing a worldwide team as part of a large organisation to leading a startup company. His experience will be an important contribution to our success. I would also like to thank Bob Maxfield for filling the role on an interim basis and for the leadership and guidance he provided us during these past months.”

Machlin most recently served as president and CEO of SkyPilot Networks, a leading provider of carrier-class broadband wireless equipment. Prior to SkyPilot, Machlin held president and CEO positions at AirFlow Networks and Catena Networks (now part of Ciena). He also held executive positions at Ascend Communications (now Alcatel-Lucent), Cascade Communications (now Alcatel-Lucent), Motorola, and Honeywell Information Systems. Machlin holds a BS in mechanical engineering from Tufts University and an MBA from Harvard Business School.