Why Former Google PM Dan Jaklich Took the Leap to Rivos

Product managers like Dan Jaklich live in the problem space, and it’s rare to find problems as complex and exciting as what Rivos is building.

Dan is the Product Management lead at Rivos, where his work spans product, planning, operations, strategy, and customer engagements. His typical day could involve anything from financial forecasting and customer calls to technical architecture discussions and product specs. At a high level, Dan’s role is all about understanding complex problems, then bringing the right teams together to identify and deliver the best solution.

Before joining Rivos, Dan built a diverse background in both hardware and software. He worked at Intel as a PLM and Program Lead, which gave him a firsthand view of the silicon lifecycle and customer enablement. He then joined Google in 2018 and worked as a PM on the Chrome OS platform team. It was there that he worked closely with many of the people who would later go on to found and lead Rivos.

When the team came together at Rivos, Dan knew that he wanted to follow. He joined Rivos in February 2022. “What Rivos is doing is so audacious,” Dan said. “Being able to contribute to that is an opportunity I didn’t want to pass up.”

Dan was drawn not just by the mission or product, but by the people. He speaks highly of Rivos’ leadership, noting the deep product intuition and involvement of the founders. “What we’re building covers all aspects across product, business, and engineering, on the level of a major silicon company,” he said. “To even witness that—let alone contribute—is a rare opportunity.”

The shift from big tech to a startup came with its own surprises. For Dan, one of the most rewarding aspects has been the depth of learning that happens by default. Additionally, he appreciates the dynamic challenge of a startup and the caliber of his coworkers. 

Outside of work, you’ll find Dan outdoors or spending time with his family. From snowboarding to sailing, he enjoys being active. When he’s at home, he’s tackling his ever-growing list of home projects.