Daniel Opitz
Deep automotive expertise in product development, project management and functional safety
Experience
FMEA Moderator and Expert
Tier1 Automotive
Creating structured item definitions as a basis for FMEA execution
Redesign/optimization of existing FMEAs according to the VDA/AIAG manual in PeakAvenue/Plato. Focus on the quality of defining functions and failure modes
Adding functions and failure modes
Revising the risk analysis. Adding and rating prevention and detection measures
Developing a framework for improved tracking of measures
Team training
Improved FMEA with a focus on early failure prevention / early failure mode avoidance
Successfully held customer reviews
Senior Program Manager
Tier1 Automotive
Program management activities for two parallel development projects, premium OEM
Establishing and leading various task forces to solve technical issues
Escalation and developing corrective actions together with senior management
Customer management, strengthening the trust base
Streamlining internal processes and responsibilities
Consolidating the roadmap and detailed project plans
Successfully exited the escalation path
Making team structures and communication more efficient
Consolidated schedule and aligned with the customer
Functional Safety Manager
Tier1 Automotive
Functional safety manager for a critical development project (ASIL D)
Sub-project leader for functional safety and cybersecurity
Integrating functional safety and cybersecurity into existing development processes: system, mechanics, hydraulics, electronics
Building efficient planning and reporting structures in functional safety and cybersecurity
Embedding the area into the process landscape, process optimization
Coaching/developing team members (functional safety managers / functional safety engineers)
Acting representative of the head of the functional safety / cyber security competence center
Significantly improved acceptance of functional safety in the project team
Inclusion of FuSi work packages into the project flow and integral consideration in the project plan
Adapting engineering processes to specific standard requirements
Evaluated, adapted safety concepts and revised related requirements
Team Leader
Tier1 Automotive
Leading the mechanical team in electronics / wireless chargers and USB hubs after the previous role was vacated
Ensuring deliverables for ongoing projects
Establishing myself as a leader, networking with HR and the works council
Ensuring operational performance by setting binding targets and tracking them
Clarifying issues and ensuring concrete corrective actions
Individual evaluation of team members regarding performance and potential
Performance improvement and prioritization of outstanding work packages
Employee evaluation using uniform, transparent criteria to show career perspectives within the company
Functional Safety Manager (Radar Sensors, Cameras, Lidar)
OEM Automotive
Functional safety manager for ADAS sensors (radar, lidar, cameras)
Planning safety activities and leading the supplier
Monitoring project results and actively reviewing the design regarding functional safety
Reviewing requirements, identifying and clarifying weaknesses
Conducting safety analyses
Integrating mainstream PM with FuSi activities
Standardizing FuSi activities, advance planning and tracking
Significantly improved acceptance of functional safety in the project team
Inclusion of FuSi work packages into the project flow and integral consideration in the project plan
Identifying weaknesses in the safety argumentation, from logical function level to supplier, implementing corrective actions for the work area
Successfully creating the safety case, in coordination with the system supplier
Program Manager
Tier1 Automotive
Project management, bottleneck management, and component replacement due to component shortages
Point of contact for OEMs and leading project teams
Designing changes and building samples
Verification, validation, and re-approval in respective markets
Aligning measures with the customer regarding tests, costs, and time requirements, and ensuring the supply chain
Preventing delivery failures despite critical component availability
Avoiding high costs for retests through proactive agreements with the customer
No field issues with the customer for the quickly changed components
Program Manager
Tier1 Automotive
Project management and leading the development team for an innovative telematics control unit
Leading RFI and RFQ processes for premium OEMs and serving as the main point of contact for OEM customers
System development and resolving conflicting requirements in the areas of housing, thermal, hardware, software, and antennas
Developing a compelling, innovative product concept
Production and successful testing as part of a B-sample
Very good customer feedback in the RFI and qualification for the RFQ (BMW)
Program Manager / SW System Engineer
Global Supplier / Automotive
Managing the software subproject for a rearview camera for a French OEM
Overseeing the external software supplier (St. Petersburg)
Coordinating schedules and delivery scopes
Ensuring software quality and process compliance
Communicating with the OEM customer
Restoring trusted collaboration with the software supplier
Defining and ensuring work packages per sprint and milestone
Requirements Specialist, Program Manager
OEM Electric Vehicles / Automotive
Consulting in requirements management and requirements-driven testing
Assessing the current state and identifying critical pain points
Determining the target state based on state-of-the-art while considering the tool and organizational landscape
Developing a tailored implementation concept in Polarion
Implementing a proof of concept, including drafting requirements specifications and test cases at the full vehicle level
Operational implementation of reports and traces in Polarion
Separating requirements and test documents according to the V-model
Adapting test strategies and level-specific test cases
Program Manager
Global Supplier / Automotive
Leading camera quote projects for surround view and autonomous driving for a Volvo RFQ
Developing concepts for various cameras in driver assistance systems (housing, hardware, optics, software)
Coordinating with development, purchasing, and production
Supporting the proposal phase and organizing customer presentations in a demo vehicle
Requirements management and alignment with the customer
Creating advanced concept designs including the bill of materials (BOM)
Preparing the proposal calculation and negotiating the offer
Program Manager
Global supplier / Automotive
Series development of a front camera for BMW in driver assistance systems
Technical responsibility for the housing, hardware development, optics and software
Coordination with purchasing and production, and support during BMW's quote phase
Requirements management and coordination with the customer
Setting up the project structure plan and the work breakdown structure
Task and timeline planning and tracking of open issues
Leading the project team and point of contact for the customer
Technical concepts aligned with the customer
Senior Program Manager
Global supplier / Automotive
Pre-development and transition to series production of a central control unit for fully autonomous driving (Level 4/5)
Leading a team of over 30 employees
Requirements management and creation of the project structure plan
Guidance and coaching of the technical project managers
Reporting up to the Global Director level
Hardware design (circuit design and PCB layout) considering RF requirements (3-4 GHz)
Adaptation and development of the software framework for central computing
Including functional safety and redundancy at the chipset level
Production and successful commissioning of the prototypes
Senior Program Manager
Automotive supplier / Automotive
Strategic measures to reduce and stabilize scrap rates below 3% in the valve seat ring area
Definition of project tasks, scheduling and coordination of specialist departments
Comprehensive current-state analysis of the production process using Ishikawa diagrams, parameter charts and fault tree analysis
Developing improvement potentials and turning them into work packages
Validating the effectiveness of measures and controlling the project budget
Qualifying measuring tools and improving camera-based measurement systems for part geometries
Determining measurement capability (Cgk and R&R) and implementing a pilot conversion
Identifying critical process steps and creating a detailed work plan
Senior Program Manager
BRITA / Consumer goods industry
Leading post-merger projects to integrate smaller companies into the group
Controlling project budgets and reporting at CoX level
Integration of the supply chain including defining logistics routes and spare parts concepts
Optimizing purchase prices and developing suppliers
Process integration of international subsidiaries and establishing quality reporting
Introducing robust development processes and creating a central product change council
Leading a task force team to solve business-critical product issues in water dispensers
Identifying the root cause of product issues and implementing short-term corrective actions
Owner, freelance project manager and interim manager
Dr. Opitz IMPS
Freelance interim (project) manager and consultant for automotive product development and functional safety management
Consulting in system development and development processes across the entire development lifecycle
Focus on electrical/electronic systems and full vehicle
Branch Manager Düsseldorf
M Plan GmbH
Consolidation and expansion of the branch in development services
Disciplinary management of over 20 direct reports and a total of 60 employees
Responsible for profit and loss and for revenue of about €5 million
Head of Electrical/Electronic Division (Wolfsburg)
M Plan GmbH
Setting up the Electrical/Electronic division at the Wolfsburg site
Responsible for sales, hiring staff and setting up training programs
Creating team leader structures and introducing quality management
Disciplinary management of 45 employees and profit and loss responsibility for €3.5 million in revenue
Department Manager Electrical/Electronic
RLE International
Setting up the project business in electrical/electronic
Responsible for the temporary staffing business and improving employee retention
Leading 35 employees with 6 direct reports
Overall E/E Project Manager for Turn-Key Vehicle
Bertrandt
Overall responsibility for electrical/electronic in a turn-key project worth over €10 million
Design & Release (D&R) lead and E/E program manager for the customer Ford
Setting up the PMO and project structures, and leading sub-project managers
Risk management, problem resolution and escalation management
Development of vehicle systems, cable harness development and network architecture (CAN/LIN)
Software planning, change management and issue management
Supporting production start and achieving a flawless launch for E/E
Project Manager
Bertrandt
Successfully delivered a turn-key project (facelift) for the customer FORD from project start to launch at the plant
Technical leadership of 35 employees
Project Manager, Systems Engineer
Askon Consulting (Altran)
Project management and consulting in systems engineering
Responsible for requirements management in technical consulting projects
Project Manager, Systems Engineer
Vidair
Systems engineer and project manager for the development of aviation systems
Development of video-based fire detection and cabin cameras
Refueling projects for the German Air Force (MRTT)
Research Associate
University of Duisburg
PhD research on combustion processes using digital image processing
Work in research and teaching in the field of natural sciences
Industries Experience
See where this freelancer has spent most of their professional time. Longer bars indicate deeper hands-on experience, while shorter ones reflect targeted or project-based work.
Experienced in Automotive (19 years), Professional Services (9 years), Education (5 years), Aerospace and Defense (4 years), and Manufacturing (0.5 years).
Business Areas Experience
The graph below provides a cumulative view of the freelancer's experience across multiple business areas, calculated from completed and active engagements. It highlights the areas where the freelancer has most frequently contributed to planning, execution, and delivery of business outcomes.
Experienced in Product Development (23 years), Project Management (23 years), Quality Assurance (12 years), Research and Development (5.5 years), Human Resources (5 years), and Operations (4 years).
Summary
For my Tier1 and OEM clients I lead projects in product development and provide hands-on consulting in project management, system development and functional safety.
I am a pragmatic yet precise-thinking manager who can set and live by a "common thread" and guardrails for a team. I bring my many years of experience as a project manager and manager of engineering and business units with passion, empathy and a positive presence. My clients benefit from rigorously structured and executed projects, a strong focus on technical implementation including proactively anticipating and resolving project risks and problems.
As a sparring partner and idea generator I guide development teams toward innovation and new ideas.
Focused reporting to the end customer and relevant stakeholders ensures understanding and acceptance of the chosen project path.
Skills
- Methodology: Ipma/gpm And Agile Methods
- Extensive Experience In Functional Safety Management, Including Implementation Projects
- Fmea Moderator, Focus On Predictive Product Development
- Disciplinary Leadership Of Up To 60 Employees
- Functional Leadership Of Up To About 80 Project Participants / Matrix
- Revenue Responsibility Up To €6 Million (Project/program)
- Product Development Manager (Pre-development, Rfq/offers, Series Development), Interdisciplinary And International Teams (+20 Years)
- Functional Safety Manager (4.5 Years), Focus On Adas/ad
- Consultant: Application-oriented, Holistic System/product Development, Integration With Development Processes (Requirements, Testing, Functional Safety) (10 Years)
- Technology: Electronics / Mechatronics / Adas & Haf / Ad
- Industry: Automotive (20 Yrs), Aviation (3 Yrs), Special Machinery (2 Yrs)
Languages
Education
University of Duisburg
Dr. rer. nat, Natural Sciences · Natural Sciences · Duisburg, Germany
Certifications & licenses
AFSE (Automotive Functional Safety Expert)
SGS-TÜV
Profile
Frequently asked questions
Do you have questions? Here you can find further information.
Where is Daniel based?
What languages does Daniel speak?
How many years of experience does Daniel have?
What roles would Daniel be best suited for?
What is Daniel's latest experience?
What companies has Daniel worked for in recent years?
Which industries is Daniel most experienced in?
Which business areas is Daniel most experienced in?
Which industries has Daniel worked in recently?
Which business areas has Daniel worked in recently?
What is Daniel's education?
Does Daniel have any certificates?
What is the availability of Daniel?
What is the rate of Daniel?
How to hire Daniel?
Average rates for similar positions
Rates are based on recent contracts and do not include FRATCH margin.
Similar Freelancers
Discover other experts with similar qualifications and experience
Experts recently working on similar projects
Freelancers with hands-on experience in comparable project as a FMEA Moderator and Expert
Nearby freelancers
Professionals working in or nearby Erkelenz, Germany
