Daniel Opitz-Deep automotive expertise in product development, project management, and functional safety
Check rate
Experience
FMEA Moderator and Expert
Tier1 Automotive
Creating structured item definitions as the basis for conducting the FMEA
Reworking/optimizing existing FMEAs according to the VDA/AIAG handbook in PeakAvenue/Plato. Focus on the quality of defining functions and failure states
Adding functions and failure states
Revising the risk analysis. Adding and rating prevention and detection measures
Developing a framework for better tracking of measures
Team training
Improved FMEA, with 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 development of corrective actions together with senior management
Customer management, strengthening the trust base
Streamlining internal processes and responsibilities
Consolidating roadmap and detailed project plans
Successfully exited the escalation path
Made team structures and communication more efficient
Consolidated schedule and aligned it with the customer
Functional Safety Manager
Tier1 Automotive
Functional Safety Manager for a critical development project (ASIL D)
Subproject lead for Functional Safety and Cybersecurity
Linking functional safety and cybersecurity into the existing development processes for systems, mechanics, hydraulics, and electronics
Building efficient planning and reporting structures in the area of Functional Safety and Cybersecurity
Anchoring the area in the process landscape, process optimization
Coaching / developing team members (Functional Safety Managers / Functional Safety Engineers)
Representative for the head of the Functional Safety / Cyber Security competence center
Significantly improved acceptance of functional safety within the project team
Inclusion of FuSa work packages in the project flow and integral consideration in the project plan
Adaptation of engineering processes with regard to specific requirements from the standard
Evaluated and adapted safety concepts and revised related requirements
Team Lead
Tier1 Automotive
Leading the mechanics team in the area of electronics / wireless charger and USB hubs after the previous role holder left
Ensuring support 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
Improving performance and prioritizing outstanding work packages
Employee assessment based on consistent, transparent criteria to show career prospects 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 from a functional safety point of view
Reviewing requirements, identifying and clarifying weak points
Carrying out safety analyses
Linking mainstream PM with FuSa activities
Standardizing FuSa activities, advance planning and tracking
Significantly improved acceptance of functional safety within the project team
Inclusion of FuSa work packages in the project flow and integral consideration in the project plan
Identifying weak points in the safety argumentation, from the logical function level to the supplier, and driving corrective actions for the work area
Successful creation of the safety case, in alignment with the system supplier
Program Manager
Tier1 Automotive
Project management, bottleneck control, and component replacement due to component shortages
Main contact for OEM and lead for the project teams
Design of changes and build of samples
Verification, validation, and re-approval in the respective markets
Aligning actions with the customer regarding tests, costs, and time needed, as well as ensuring the supply chain
Avoiding delivery failures despite critical component availability
Avoiding high costs for retests through proactive agreement with the customer
No field issues at the customer with the components changed at short notice
Program Manager
Tier1 Automotive
Project management and leading the development team for a new telematics control unit
Leading RFI/RFQ for premium OEMs and main contact for OEM customers
System development and resolving trade-offs in the areas of housing, thermal, hardware, software, and antennas
Development of a convincing, innovative product concept
Production and successful testing as part of a B-sample
Very good customer feedback in the RFI and approval for RFQ (BMW)
Program Manager / SW System Engineer
Global supplier / Automotive
Project management of the software subproject for a rear camera for a French OEM
Leading the external SW supplier (St. Petersburg)
Aligning schedules and delivery scope
Ensuring software quality and process compliance
Communication with the OEM customer
Restoring a trusting working relationship with the SW supplier
Agreeing and ensuring work packages per sprint and milestone
Requirements Specialist, Program Manager
OEM electric vehicles / Automotive
Consulting in requirements management and requirements-based testing
Capturing the current status and identifying critical friction points
Determining the target state based on state of the art, taking the tool and organization landscape into account
Creating a tailored implementation concept in Polarion
Implementation as part of a proof of concept, including writing the requirements specification and test cases at vehicle level
Operational implementation of reports and traces in Polarion
Separating requirements and test documents in line with the V-model
Adjusting the test strategies and level-based test cases
Program Manager
Global supplier / Automotive
Leading camera quote projects for Surround View and autonomous driving for a Volvo RFQ
Concept development of different cameras in the driver assistance systems area (housing, hardware, optics, software)
Coordination with development, purchasing, and production
Support during the quotation phase and organization of customer presentations in the demo vehicle
Requirements management and alignment with the customer
Advanced concept design including bill of materials (BOM) created
Creating the offer calculation and negotiating the offer
Program Manager
Global supplier / Automotive
Series development of a front camera for BMW in the driver assistance systems area
Technical responsibility for housing, hardware development, optics, and software
Coordination with purchasing and production, as well as support during the quote phase at BMW
Requirements management and coordination with the customer
Setting up the project structure plan and work breakdown structure
Task and schedule planning, as well as tracking open points
Leading the project team and serving as the contact person for customers
Coordinated technical concepts with the customer
Senior Program Manager
Global supplier / Automotive
Pre-development and transition to series development of a central control unit for fully autonomous driving (Level 4/5)
Leading a team of more than 30 employees
Requirements management and setting up the project structure plan
Guiding and coaching the technical project managers
Reporting up to Global Director level
Hardware design (circuit design and PCB layout) while taking HF requirements into account (3-4 GHz)
Adaptation and development of the software framework for central computing
Consideration of functional safety and redundancy at chipset level
Production and successful commissioning of the prototypes
Senior Program Manager
Automotive supplier / Automotive
Strategic measures to reduce and stabilize scrap rates to below 3% in the valve seat ring area
Definition of project tasks, schedule planning, and coordination of the specialist departments
Comprehensive as-is analysis of the production process using Ishikawa, parameter diagrams, and fault tree analyses
Developing improvement potential and turning it into work packages
Validation of the effectiveness of the measures and controlling the project budget
Qualification of measuring equipment and improvement of camera-based measuring systems for component geometries
Determination of measurement system capability (cgk and R&R) and implementation of a pilot conversion
Identification of critical process steps and creation of a detailed work plan
Senior Program Manager
BRITA / Consumer goods industry
Leading post-merger projects to integrate smaller companies into the group structure
Controlling project budgets and reporting at CoX level
Integration of the supply chain, including defining logistics routes and spare parts concepts
Optimization of purchase prices and supplier development
Process-side integration of international subsidiaries and building a quality reporting system
Introduction of robust development processes and creation of a central Product Change Council
Leading a task force team to solve business-critical product issues for water dispensers
Identification of the root cause for product issues and implementation of short-term corrective actions
Owner, independent 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/electronics and the complete vehicle
Branch Manager Düsseldorf
M Plan GmbH
Consolidation and expansion of the branch in development services
Disciplinary leadership of over 20 direct reports and a total of 60 employees
Responsibility for profit and loss as well as revenue of approx. €5 million
Head of Electrical/Electronics Department (Wolfsburg)
M Plan GmbH
Building up the Electrical / Electronics business unit at the Wolfsburg site
Responsible for sales, hiring employees, and setting up training programs
Creating team leader structures and introducing quality management
Disciplinary leadership of 45 employees and profit/loss responsibility for €3.5 million in revenue
Head of Electrical/Electronics Department
RLE International
Building up the project business in the Electrical / Electronics area
Responsibility for the temporary staffing business and strengthening employee retention
Leading 35 employees and 6 direct reports
Overall Project Manager E/E for Turn-Key Complete Vehicle
Bertrandt
Overall responsibility for Electrical/Electronics in a turn-key project with a volume of over €10 million
Design & Release (D&R) owner and E/E program owner for the customer Ford
Building up the PMO and project structures as well as leading the subproject managers
Risk management, problem solving, and escalation management
Development of vehicle systems, wiring harness development, and network architecture (CAN/LIN)
Software planning, change management, and issue management
Support for start of production and achieving a flawless launch for E/E
Project Manager
Bertrandt
Successful implementation of a turn-key project (facelift) for the customer FORD from project start to launch in the plant
Functional leadership of 35 employees
Project Manager, Systems Engineer
Askon Consulting (Altran)
Project management and consulting in the area of systems engineering
Responsibility 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 Assistant
University of Duisburg
Doctorate on the investigation of combustion processes using digital image processing
Work in research and teaching in the field of natural sciences
Industry experience
See where this freelancer has spent most of their professional time.
Experienced in Automotive, Professional Services, Education, Aerospace and Defense, and Manufacturing.
Business area experience
See which departments and functions this freelancer has contributed to most.
Experienced in Product Development, Project Management, Quality Assurance, Research and Development, Human Resources, and Operations.
Summary
For my Tier1 and OEM customers, I lead projects in product development and provide practical consulting in project management, system development, and functional safety.
I am a pragmatic manager with a precise way of thinking, who can give a team "a clear thread" and guardrails, and also lead by example. To do that, I bring my many years of experience as a project leader and manager of engineering and business units with passion, empathy, and a positive attitude. My customers benefit from tightly structured and well-executed projects, a strong focus on technical implementation, including the forward-looking anticipation and resolution of project risks and issues.
As a sparring partner and source of ideas, I lead development teams toward innovation and new ideas.
Targeted reporting to the end customer and to 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 Rollout Projects
- Fmea Moderator, Focus On Predictive Product Development
- Managed Up To 60 Employees Directly
- Led Up To Approx. 80 Project Participants Functionally / Matrix
- Revenue Responsibility Up To €6 Million (Project / Program)
- Product Development Manager (Advanced Development, Rfq/Quotes, Series Development), Interdisciplinary And International Teams (+20 Years)
- Functional Safety Manager (4.5 Years), Focus On Adas / Ad
- Consulting: Application-Oriented, End-To-End System/Product Development, Linked With Development Processes (Requirements, Testing, Fusa) (10 Years)
- Technology: Electronics / Mechatronics / Adas & Haf / Ad
- Industry: Automotive (20 Years), Aerospace (3 Years), Special Machinery (2 Years)
Languages
Education
University of Duisburg
Dr. rer. nat, Natural Sciences · Natural Sciences · Duisburg, Germany
Certifications & licenses
Statistics
Experience
Global experience
Expertise
Qualifications
Profile
Frequently asked questions
Have questions? Find more information here.
Daniel is based in Erkelenz, Germany and can operate in on-site, hybrid, and remote work models.
Daniel speaks the following languages: German (Native), English (Advanced), French (Elementary), Dutch (Elementary).
Daniel has at least 31 years of experience. During this time, Daniel has worked in at least 16 different roles and for 13 different companies. The average length of individual experience is 1 year and 4 months. Note that Daniel may not have shared all experience and actually has more experience.
Based on recent experience, Daniel would be well-suited for roles such as: FMEA Moderator and Expert, Senior Program Manager, Functional Safety Manager.
Daniel's most recent position is FMEA Moderator and Expert at Tier1 Automotive.
In recent years, Daniel has worked for Tier1 Automotive, OEM Automotive, and Dr. Opitz IMPS.
Daniel is most experienced in industries like Automotive, Professional Services, and Education. Daniel also has some experience in Aerospace and Defense and Manufacturing.
Daniel is most experienced in business areas like Product Development, Project Management, and Quality Assurance. Daniel also has some experience in Research and Development, Human Resources, and Operations.
Daniel has recently worked in industries like Automotive.
Daniel has recently worked in business areas like Product Development, Quality Assurance, and Project Management.
Daniel holds a Doctorate in Natural Sciences from University of Duisburg.
Daniel has 1 certificate: AFSE (Automotive Functional Safety Expert).
Daniel is immediately available part-time for suitable projects.
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Average rates for similar positions
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The median daily rate is the middle value of all daily rates — half of comparable freelancers charge less, half charge more. Unlike the average, it is barely affected by outliers.
Calculated based on our freelancers’ daily rates as of 6 Sep 2026. Actual rates may vary depending on seniority level, experience, skill specialization, project complexity, and engagement length.
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