Michael Burkhard - Freelance Engineer

Q: Where is Michael based?

Michael is based in Schongau, Germany and can operate in on-site , hybrid , and remote work models.

Q: What languages does Michael speak?

Michael speaks the following languages: German (Native), English (Advanced), Spanish (Advanced), Finnish (Elementary) .

Q: How many years of experience does Michael have?

Michael has at least 30 years of experience. During this time, Michael has worked in at least 6 different roles and for 7 different companies . The average length of individual experience is 4 years and 10 months . Note that Michael may not have shared all experience and actually has more experience.

Q: What is Michael's latest experience?

Michael's most recent position is Freelance Engineer .

Q: Which industries is Michael most experienced in?

Michael is most experienced in industries like Manufacturing , Professional Services , and Chemical .

Q: Which business areas is Michael most experienced in?

Michael is most experienced in business areas like Project Management , Operations , and Quality Assurance (QA) . Michael also has some experience in Business Intelligence , Investments, M&A & Venture Capital , and Strategy and Planning .

Q: Which industries has Michael worked in recently?

Michael has recently worked in industries like Professional Services .

Q: Which business areas has Michael worked in recently?

Michael has recently worked in business areas like Operations , Project Management , and Quality Assurance (QA) .

Q: What is Michael's education?

Michael holds a Bachelor in Industrial Engineering from Munich University of Applied Sciences and a Bachelor in Process Engineering / Paper Production from Munich University of Applied Sciences .

Recommended expert

Schongau, Germany

Experience

Oct 2015 - Present

10 years 5 months

Freelance Engineer

Technical services (e.g., measurements, documentation, maintenance/servicing)
Projects, studies

Nov 2013 - Sep 2015

1 year 11 months

Technical Customer Service

Solenis Germany GmbH & Co. KG

Technical customer service for the use of chemical auxiliaries in paper and board production

Nov 2011 - Oct 2012

1 year

Sales Engineer

B.E.S.T. Fluidsysteme GmbH

Focus on customer support in the pulp and paper sector in eastern Germany

Aug 2007 - Sep 2010

3 years 2 months

Karlsruhe, Germany

Project Engineer / Production Engineer

Stora Enso Business Area Publication Paper Mill Maxau

Coordinator of a feasibility study for a major project
Identification and evaluation of energy-saving potentials

May 2003 - Jul 2007

4 years 3 months

Stora Enso Publication Paper Division

Investment planning, control and monitoring
Collaboration in strategy development
Business intelligence and benchmarking

Aug 2000 - Apr 2003

2 years 9 months

Stora Enso Newsprint Division

Investment planning and tracking
Assisted in strategy development
Business intelligence and benchmarking
Competitor analyses

May 1996 - Jul 2000

4 years 3 months

Eilenburg, Germany

Research & Development / Environmental

Stora Enso Werk Sachsen

Project work in freshwater and wastewater, energy, and waste management
Assisted in implementing an environmental management system under EMAS regulation and ISO 14001
Environmental data controlling and life cycle assessment (LCA)

Sep 1984 - Jul 1987

2 years 11 months

Schongau, Germany

Paper maker (apprenticeship) / machine assistant

Haindl Papier GmbH

Trained as a paper maker (now called paper technologist)
Worked as a machine assistant

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 (20 years), Professional Services (10.5 years), and Chemical (2 years).

Manufacturing

Professional Services

Chemical

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 (13.5 years), Operations (10.5 years), Quality Assurance (10.5 years), Business Intelligence (7 years), Investments and M&A (7 years), and Strategy (7 years).

Project Management

Operations

Quality Assurance

Business Intelligence

Investments and M&A

Strategy

Summary

Technically and economically trained engineer – Diploma in Industrial Engineering (FH) and Diploma in Engineering (FH), Process Engineering / Paper Production
Team, service and solution oriented
Interdisciplinary and sustainable thinker

Skills

Professional Competencies

Company Founding
Planning – Legal Form, Business Plan
Implementation – Delivery Of Technical Services, Company Organization
Project Planning, Project And Investment Management
Preliminary Planning, Conceptual Design, Feasibility
Execution, Control, Monitoring
Planning, Technical And Economic Evaluation
Tracking And Analysis Of Completed Projects
Establishing A Documentation System
Development Of Investment Guidelines
Consulting, Sales, Technical Services
Measurement Programs
Monitoring, Maintenance, Servicing, Cleaning, Documentation In Process Engineering Applications (E.g., Biocide Treatment In The Paper Industry)
Covering Peak Personnel Needs
Technical Translations (English <–> German)
Business Administration
Cost Management, Controlling
Investment And Financing
Business Planning
Market-oriented Corporate Management
Analysis, Information Systems, Market Research
Strategic And Operational Marketing Management
Marketing Tools
Competitive Analyses
Identification And Evaluation Of Energy-saving Potentials In A Paper Mill
Analysis And Presentation Of Energy Consumption And Balances
Tracking Implemented, Ongoing And Planned Energy-saving Projects
Benchmarking
Design, Implementation And Maintenance Of Integrated Management Systems (Quality, Environment, Energy)
Knowledge Of Environmental Law – Obtained Specialist Knowledge As Company Officer For Waste And Water Protection – August 1998
Improving Data Availability / Environmental Data Controlling In A Newsprint Mill

Leadership Experience

Coordinating The Preparation Of A Feasibility Study For A Large Industrial Project
Organizing Decision-critical Processes In The Investment Planning Of A Global Forestry Industry Group

Methodological Competencies

Conceptual Thinking
Analysis
Presenting
Organizing

It And Computer Competencies

Very Good Knowledge Of Common Office Applications
Use Of Modern Telecommunications Technology
Use Of Databases, Internet Applications, Crm Software
Knowledge Of Erp Systems (Scala / Sae, Sap), Cad And Process Simulation Software (Balas – Vtt)
Use Of Data Acquisition Systems Developed Specifically For Paper Mills

Social Competencies And Personal Interests

Intercultural Competence
Several Years Of Professional Stay In Finland
Extensive Travels To South America, Australia, South Africa
Nature And Environment
Renewable Energy – Own Photovoltaic System
Diploma And Project Work On Environmental Topics
Recycling Of Photovoltaic Modules
Life-cycle Assessment For Newsprint Production
Surfactants For Neutral Deinking Of Waste Paper
Frequent Use Of Bicycle As A Means Of Transport In Personal Life
Sports
Inline Skating, Cycling

Languages

German

Native

English

Advanced

Spanish

Advanced

Finnish

Elementary

Education

Mar 1994 - May 1996

Munich University of Applied Sciences

Diploma in Industrial Engineering (FH) · Industrial Engineering · Munich, Germany

Oct 1988 - Mar 1993

Munich University of Applied Sciences

Diploma in Engineering (FH) · Process Engineering / Paper Production · Munich, Germany

Sep 1987 - Jul 1988

Kaufbeuren Technical College

Technical college entrance qualification · Technical college entrance qualification · Kaufbeuren, Germany

...and 1 more

Certifications & licenses

Certificate course 'Business Administration & International Management'

ATV Ausbildung Training Vernetzung GmbH in cooperation with the Munich University of Applied Sciences

Specialist qualification as company officer for waste and water protection

Profile

Created

December 2024

Last Update

December 2025

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Frequently asked questions

Do you have questions? Here you can find further information.

Where is Michael based?

Michael is based in Schongau, Germany and can operate in on-site, hybrid, and remote work models.

What languages does Michael speak?

Michael speaks the following languages: German (Native), English (Advanced), Spanish (Advanced), Finnish (Elementary).

How many years of experience does Michael have?

Michael has at least 30 years of experience. During this time, Michael has worked in at least 6 different roles and for 7 different companies. The average length of individual experience is 4 years and 10 months. Note that Michael may not have shared all experience and actually has more experience.

What roles would Michael be best suited for?

Based on recent experience, Michael would be well-suited for roles such as: Freelance Engineer, Technical Customer Service, Sales Engineer.

What is Michael's latest experience?

Michael's most recent position is Freelance Engineer.

Which industries is Michael most experienced in?

Michael is most experienced in industries like Manufacturing, Professional Services, and Chemical.

Which business areas is Michael most experienced in?

Michael is most experienced in business areas like Project Management, Operations, and Quality Assurance (QA). Michael also has some experience in Business Intelligence, Investments, M&A & Venture Capital, and Strategy and Planning.

Which industries has Michael worked in recently?

Michael has recently worked in industries like Professional Services.

Which business areas has Michael worked in recently?

Michael has recently worked in business areas like Operations, Project Management, and Quality Assurance (QA).

What is Michael's education?

Michael holds a Bachelor in Industrial Engineering from Munich University of Applied Sciences and a Bachelor in Process Engineering / Paper Production from Munich University of Applied Sciences.

Does Michael have any certificates?

Michael has 2 certificates. These include: Certificate course 'Business Administration & International Management' and Specialist qualification as company officer for waste and water protection.

What is the availability of Michael?

Michael is immediately available full-time for suitable projects.

What is the rate of Michael?

Michael's rate depends on the specific project requirements. Please use the Meet button on the profile to schedule a meeting and discuss the details.