Wolfsburg, Lower Saxony, Germany
Architecting the critical bridge between simulated environments and real-world deployment—both on proving grounds and public roads. My team and I transform complex test requirements into actionable insights for the V&V cycle. As part of the senior leadership team with a direct reporting line to our CEO, I own MOIA's global autonomous driving real-world testing strategy and activities for system verification and validation. My focus is on the rigorous physical stress-testing of AD-stacks to ensure the safety and performance of our Mobility- and Transport-as-a-Service products.
As the Senior Vice President for Autonomous Driving Test Operations, I am a member of ADMT's senior leadership team and responsible for the global autonomous driving test program. This includes the leadership of self-driving vehicle development hubs/sites, the management of public road and test track operations as well as the engineering of data pipelines to support the development, verification, and validation of self-driving vehicle products for Mobility and Transportation as a Service.
As the Head of Self-Driving System Operational Design Domain, Map, and Geodata Engineering, I lead the discovery and (cont.) development of digital products, advanced solutions, and services for autonomous vehicle development and operations, including: • Conceptualize, develop, and test data products for managing ODD limitations in autonomous vehicle fleets, improving operational efficiency and safety. • Engineer a geodata analytics cloud platform for ingesting, storing, computing, and visualizing geodata for product development and fleet management, enhancing data-driven decision-making. • Manage a portfolio of 6 digital products, 4 services, and 3 programs in my area of responsibility, driving innovation and growth. • Lead strategic initiatives for the CEO, reporting directly to him and his leadership team, shaping the company’s strategic direction. • Lead and coach a team of 17 engineers and technical program managers, developing the next generation of leaders and experts. • Develop a transition strategy and lead the transition of my team to a Product Operating Model from a project-oriented approach, increasing agility and product focus.
As the Head of Self-Driving System Function, Operational Design Domain, and City Applications, I led the development and deployment of critical aspects of the autonomous driving products and technologies at VW Group, with a focus on creating innovative solutions and managing critical partnerships, including: • Developed the company’s first Customer Function Specification for an SAE Level 4 Autonomous Driving Function, setting the baseline for our system development. • Created and managed the Operational Design Domain Specification for the VW Group’s Autonomous Driving Solution, ensuring safety and regulatory compliance. • Oversaw self-driving-system-related issues for global Mobility-as-a-Service pilot and launch projects, contributing to successful market entry preparations. • Assembled and led a high-performing team of 11 engineers and project managers, fostering a culture of innovation and excellence. • Led the collaboration between VWAG and ARGO.AI at the interface of Product and ODD, enhancing cross-company synergies and project outcomes. • Held end-to-end responsibility for the technology partnership with Mobileye, expanding VWCV's autonomous driving technology partnership landscape. • Managed the budget for the development and release of the self-driving system solution, optimizing resource allocation and cost efficiency. • Propelled forward VWCV’s AD strategy for EU, US, and China, interacting directly with the board member for MaaS/TaaS R&D at VWCV, influencing high-level strategic decisions.
In this dual role, I worked as the Chief of Staff to the EVP for Autonomous Driving and as a Business Development Manager, spearheading strategic initiatives and operational expansions in the autonomous driving sector. My key responsibilities and achievements included: • Led and executed the foundation of subsidiaries in Germany and the US dedicated to the development of self-driving vehicle technologies. • Directed the scale-up of the autonomous driving business units, focusing on expanding personnel, organizational capabilities, and strategic partnerships. • Held end-to-end responsibility for VW Group's flagship autonomous driving project for the Israeli market, ensuring its successful execution. • Founded a three party joint venture in Israel, leading the contract negotiations and fostering collaborative efforts for VW Group. • Spent several months in Israel to deeply understand the cultural factors driving innovation and effectiveness, enhancing cross-cultural collaboration. • Led a workstream of an autonomous driving strategy project in China, contributing to the development and implementation of tailored strategies for the Chinese market.
In my role as the Technical Assistant to the Volkswagen Group’s Chief Digital Officer (CDO), I supported the CDO in all strategic initiatives, led selected projects, and assisted in decision-making processes. The CDO and his team of six senior executives were responsible for driving the digital transformation of the Volkswagen Group and its brands across the entire automotive value chain, including Production & Logistics, Development, G&A, Design, and Product. A key focus of my role was facilitating strategic exchanges with the VW Group Board of Management regarding the company’s vision, mission, and strategy for self-driving vehicles and Mobility-as-a-Service. This involved continuous collaboration and communication to align our digital transformation goals with the broader objectives of the VW Group and it's core business units.
I joined the team of the Volkswagen Group’s Chief Digital Officer as one of the first employees within the Industry 4.0 team. In this role, I was responsible for the action field of smart data and analytics, leading strategic initiatives to build data capabilities and executing selected cross-functional data analytics pilot projects. My work focused on leveraging data to drive innovation and efficiency across various departments, laying the foundation for Volkswagen’s digital transformation.
Following a Germany & US-wide application procedure, I was selected to join and head a team of five German and five American young professionals to carry out a study in cooperation between the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and the Association of German Engineers (VDI) in the field of Industry 4.0.