Frank Stölzel
Project & Interim Manager
Experience
Project & Interim Manager
Freelance
- See detailed project list above
Head of Research and Development
Schaudt Mikrosa GmbH
- Led the technical division with around 70 employees in the design, software development, electrical design, documentation, and order engineering departments
- Developed product strategies and product roadmaps
- Project management for a new development project
- Established product maintenance and further development
- Reorganized software development
- Introduced new control technologies
Project Manager Research and Development
Georg Fischer Machining Solutions, Mikron Agie Charmilles AG
- Initiated new development projects for 5- and 3-axis milling machines in Switzerland and China
- Conducted market studies and created specifications
- Prepared project plans, cost estimates, and presented them to executive management
- Executed projects, leading mechanical and electrical design as well as software development
- Tested and validated the prototype machine
- Industrialized and launched into series production
Consultant
FANUC Ltd.
- Redesigned CNC user interface on 19" screens
- Established efficient software structures and development tools
- Expanded the PC-based virtual CNC "NCGuide"
- Trained the programmers
Product Manager
FANUC FA Europe Headquarters
- Responsible for open control systems (PC frontend systems), user interfaces, application interface programming, and industrial communication
- Coordination of product development with the headquarters in Japan
- Planning and implementation of automotive projects (powertrain)
- Conducted product training for staff and customers
- Consulting and support for the development and commissioning of machine tools
Manager CNC Application & Projects
GE Fanuc Europe Headquarters
- Leading a team of development and application engineers
- Product development for the European market: CNC user interface for conventional lathes "Turn Mate i" and for the automotive industry "Auto HMI"
- Organizing customer support in key projects
Supervisor Network Engineering
GE Fanuc Europe Headquarters
- Leading a group for workshop-oriented programming
- Specifying and implementing Ethernet-based network solutions for transfer lines
- Implementing Profibus DP as an open fieldbus system on FANUC CNC
Construction and Project Manager for electrical and automation projects
General Contractor VW/Skoda
- Supervising and guiding control cabinet assembly and commissioning
- Overseeing PLC programming
- Implementing the production monitoring and visualization system
PLC Applications Engineer
GE Fanuc Germany
- Implementing MES/SCADA systems (production monitoring and visualization system) at Opel Eisenach and General Motors in Zaragoza, Spain
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 Manufacturing (25 years), Automotive (13.5 years), and Professional Services (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 Project Management (26.5 years), Product Development (25 years), Research and Development (9.5 years), Information Technology (7 years), Customer Service (4 years), and Production (3 years).
Summary
The focus of my professional career has been on challenging tasks in mechanical engineering and industrial automation, where I have been able to apply my technical expertise and leadership skills. As head of engineering, I successfully led and developed teams of up to 115 engineers from different nationalities and disciplines, both technically and disciplinarily. Throughout, creating a performance-oriented, collaborative team culture and promoting open, solution-focused communication were always at the forefront.
My experience includes managing complex development projects from idea generation to market launch, reorganizing and redirecting existing structures, and introducing agile working methods. In critical situations, I stabilized organizations through methodical multiproject management and responsible, transparent leadership, bringing them to a successful close. Supporting employee skills, empowering teams, and sustaining a proactive leadership culture are among my key strengths.
Skills
Project Management
Product Development Projects From Idea Generation, Creating Requirements And Specifications, Through Development, Prototyping, Testing And Optimization To Series Production Launch
Automation Projects
Software Development Projects Plc; High-level Languages C/c++/c#/java, Hmi, Embedded
Customer-specific Projects
Cost Reduction Projects (Design-to-cost)
Multi-project Management
Rescue Of Critical Or Troubled Projects
Interim Department And Team Leadership
Interim Assumption Of Leadership Positions At C-level And Middle Management Levels
Bridging Vacancies In Department Management For Design (Mechanical & Electrical), Software Engineering, Etc.
Reorganizations, Restructurings, Crisis Management
Process Optimization
Coaching And Consulting
Introduction Of Agile Working Methods
Facilitation And Moderation Of 'Design Thinking' Processes
Risk And Hazard Analysis According To Machinery Directive, Ce Certification
Conflict Management, Mediation, Team Development
Personality: Stress-tested And Stress-resistant
Personality: Calm And Balanced Demeanor
Personality: Very Good Analytical Skills
Personality: Pragmatic Approach To Solving Urgent Problems
Personality: High Social Competence
Personality: Quick Learner
Personality: Flexible And Mobile
Product & Industry Expertise: Plc Controls (Fanuc & Siemens)
Product & Industry Expertise: Cnc Controls (Fanuc; Siemens; Heidenhain)
Product & Industry Expertise: Robotic Systems (Fanuc & Kuka)
Product & Industry Expertise: Turning, Milling, And Grinding Machines
Product & Industry Expertise: 3- And 5-axis Hsc Precision Machining Centers
Product & Industry Expertise: Machine Tool Engineering And General Mechanical Engineering
Product & Industry Expertise: Plant Engineering And Automation Technology
Product & Industry Expertise: Manufacturing Automation Systems (Mes, Scada, Databases)
Product & Industry Expertise: Condition And Performance Monitoring Systems
Technical Skills: Degree In Electrical Engineering With Focus On Communications And Software Development (Information Technology)
Technical Skills: Deep Practical Knowledge In Plc And Cnc Software Development
Technical Skills: Deep Practical Knowledge In High-level Language Software Development C, C++, C#, Java, Html, Xml
Technical Skills: Architecture And Design Of Object-oriented Software
Technical Skills: Technical Leadership Of Mechanical Design, Electrical Design, And Software Development
Leadership Skills: Head Of Research & Development (Cto); Engineering
Leadership Skills: Disciplinary And Technical Leadership Of Mechanical Design, Electrical Design, And Software Development Departments
Leadership Skills: Leading Interdisciplinary Teams Of Engineers From Diverse Nationalities And Cultures (Up To 120 Staff)
Leadership Skills: Project Management
Leadership Skills: Team Reorganization, Team Development, And Communication Culture
Method Skills: Implementing Agile Methods Like Scrum And Kanban In Development And Engineering
Method Skills: Costing, Proposing, And Initiating Projects
Method Skills: Creating Roadmaps, Project And Timeline Plans
Method Skills: Project Analysis And Recovery
Method Skills: Active Risk Management
Method Skills: Moderating 'Design Thinking' Sessions
Method Skills: Cost Control Using 'Design-to-cost' Methods
It Skills: Ms Outlook, Ms Word, Ms Powerpoint – Advanced Skills
It Skills: Ms Excel, Ms Access – Deep Knowledge, Programming
It Skills: Sap – Normal User
Languages
Education
Technical University of Chemnitz
Diploma Engineer · Information Technology · Chemnitz, Germany · with honors "Good"
Certifications & licenses
CE officer
TÜV
GE Six Sigma Green Belt
General Electric
Profile
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