Erik Saal - Founder and Chief Engineer for Product Design

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Potsdam, Germany

Check rate

Experience

Jan 2024 - Present

2 years 8 months

CEO / Founder / Lead Developer

Supfix Germany GmbH

Full responsibility for company management and strategic development
Leading the development department with a focus on innovative product design
Designing and developing the Supfix system using 3D and 2D CAD (SolidWorks)
Building and testing prototypes on in-house CNC milling machines, laser cutters, and 3D printers
Technical optimization of all components for transition to injection molding and mass production
Planning and coordinating industrial mass production
Filing a patent and receiving an award from the German Innovation Institute (DiiND) for outstanding innovation performance

Jan 2019 - Dec 2024

6 years

Aircraft Mechanic / Inspector / ARC Inspector

CD Aircraft Maintenance GmbH

Issuing Airworthiness Review Certificates (ARC) after successful document and physical inspections of piston-engine aircraft
Issuing Release to Service (RtS) certificates after successful maintenance, repairs, or modifications
Checking operating hours, Airworthiness Directives (AD, SB, LAT), and airworthiness and operational certificates of Part M/ML aircraft (CAMO Airworthiness Coordinator)
Preparing CAMO contracts and maintenance programs (AMP) for piston-engine aircraft Part M/ML
Installing and converting avionics and electronic components on Part M/ML piston-engine aircraft according to MC, STC & AMM
Work planning and preparation of maintenance service quotes
Supervising maintenance work on aircraft structures and avionics according to AMM, as well as engine and airframe repairs
Independently operating aircraft on the ground for ground checks
Checking and documenting flight safety and making adjustments during test flights

Jan 2016 - Dec 2019

4 years

Self-employed Sole Proprietor

eCAD – Erik Saal, Konstruktionsbüro Potsdam

Designing mechanical parts, machine and housing components in 3D CAD with SolidEdge, Autodesk Fusion 360, and SolidWorks for machined aluminum and injection-molded plastic parts
Creating technical documents, reports, and engineering drawings for manufacturing processes
CAM programming
Developing, building, and manufacturing prototypes on CNC machines as well as SLA, SLS, and FDM 3D printers
Setting up, maintaining, and managing the network and IT systems including CNC machines
Acquiring projects, cost estimation, project planning, and presentations
Consulting in product development
Financial accounting and budget planning/management
Office organization and administration
Public relations

Jan 2014 - Dec 2016

3 years

Office Manager

Landes-Kanu-Verband Brandenburg e.V.

Professional and organizational support of the association
Advising members and coordinating between sports institutions
Organizing training camps and national and international competitions
Financial accounting and budget planning/management
Applying for and managing funding projects
Office organization, registry management, and IT administration
Public relations

Jan 2011 - Dec 2014

4 years

Kyritz, Germany

Aircraft Mechanic Trainee

FSB Aircraft Maintenance GmbH

Performing maintenance on piston engines and aircraft turbines according to AMM
Performing maintenance on airframes and avionics according to AMM, including engine and airframe repairs
Independently operating aircraft on the ground for ground checks
Checking and documenting flight safety during test flights

Jan 2010 - Dec 2011

2 years

Müncheberg, Germany

Trainee Light Aircraft Builder

ProComposite

Inspecting GFRP and CFRP cell structures
Repairing composite wings and aircraft fuselages
Building fiberglass landing gear fairings, ribs, and spars
Creating molds from Styrofoam, fiberglass, and wood
Creating 3D CAD models in Solid Edge
Creating illustrated parts catalogs and assembly plans

Jan 2008 - Dec 2010

3 years

Berlin, Germany

Mechanical Engineering Student

Technical University of Berlin

Designing and calculating wind turbines and gearboxes
Designing gearbox components in 3D CAD with Solid Edge

Jan 2008 - Dec 2008

1 year

Potsdam, Germany

Metal Construction Intern

Bertram Peters Metal Construction

Developing workflows and work preparation for constructing aluminum, steel, and stainless steel structures
Manufacturing individual parts according to technical drawings
Performing surface treatment on metal parts
Performing final assembly of components on job sites

Jan 2007 - Dec 2008

2 years

Australia

Year Abroad

Work & Travel

Leading groups and executing work assignments on wine farms
Gate Attendant and Supervisor at a major event in Albert Park, Melbourne (Formula 1 ING Australian Grand Prix)

Jan 2006 - Dec 2007

2 years

Berlin, Germany

Civilian Service

Albert Schweitzer Children's Village e.V.

Administering the IT system for six family houses
Providing transportation services using a company car
Maintaining garden areas
Caring for children

Industry Experience

See where this freelancer has spent most of their professional time.

Experienced in Aerospace and Defense, Manufacturing, Sport, Energy, Agriculture, and Education.

Aerospace and Defense

Manufacturing

Sport

Energy

Agriculture

Education

Business Area Experience

See which departments and functions this freelancer has contributed to most.

Experienced in Operations, Product Development, Quality Assurance, Project Management, Production, and Finance.

Operations

Product Development

Quality Assurance

Project Management

Production

Finance

Languages

German

Native

English

Elementary

Education

Oct 2011 - Jun 2014

FSB Aircraft Maintenance GmbH

Apprenticeship · Aircraft Mechanic · Berlin, Germany

Oct 2010 - Jun 2011

ProComposite

Apprenticeship · Light Aircraft Builder · Müncheberg, Germany

Oct 2008 - Jun 2010

Technische Universität Berlin

Mechanical Engineering · Berlin, Germany

...and 1 more

Certifications & licenses

Part 66 CAT B1 Aircraft Technician / Inspector

Statistics

Experience

Total positions 10

Experience in Aerospace and Defense 11 y

Avg length 2 y 11 m

Longest experience 5 y 11 m

Global Experience

Countries worked in 2 (Germany, Australia)

Primary country Germany

Expertise

Recent roles CEO / Founder / Lead Developer, Aircraft Mechanic / Inspector / ARC Inspector, Self-employed Sole Proprietor

Main industries Aerospace and Defense, Manufacturing, Sport

Main business areas Operations, Product Development, Quality Assurance

Qualifications

Certifications earned 1

Profile

Created

June 2025

Last Update

June 2026

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Frequently asked questions

Have questions? Find more information here.

Erik is based in Potsdam, Germany.

Erik speaks the following languages: German (Native), English (Elementary).

Erik has at least 21 years of experience. During this time, Erik has worked in at least 10 different roles and for 10 different companies. The average length of individual experience is 2 years and 1 month. Note that Erik may not have shared all experience and actually has more experience.

Based on recent experience, Erik would be well-suited for roles such as: CEO / Founder / Lead Developer, Aircraft Mechanic / Inspector / ARC Inspector, Self-employed Sole Proprietor.

Erik's most recent position is CEO / Founder / Lead Developer at Supfix Germany GmbH.

In recent years, Erik has worked for Supfix Germany GmbH and CD Aircraft Maintenance GmbH.

Erik is most experienced in industries like Aerospace and Defense, Manufacturing, and Sport. Erik also has some experience in Energy, Agriculture, and Education.

Erik is most experienced in business areas like Operations, Product Development, and Quality Assurance. Erik also has some experience in Project Management, Production, and Finance.

Erik has recently worked in industries like Aerospace and Defense and Manufacturing.

Erik has recently worked in business areas like Operations, Quality Assurance, and Product Development.

Erik attended FSB Aircraft Maintenance GmbH for Aircraft Mechanic.

Erik has 1 certificate: Part 66 CAT B1 Aircraft Technician / Inspector.

Erik is immediately available full-time for suitable projects.

Daily Rate Distribution

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<€640 €640-800 €800-960 €960-1120 €1120-1280 €1440+

The rates shown represent the typical market range for freelancers in this position based on recent contracts on our platform.

Actual rates may vary depending on seniority level, experience, skill specialization, project complexity, and engagement length.

Average rates for similar positions

Rates are based on recent contracts and do not include FRATCH margin.

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Daily rate avg. 957 €

The average daily rate is the mean of all daily rates from recent contracts of comparable freelancers on our platform.

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Median rate 900 €

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.

Actual rates may vary depending on seniority level, experience, skill specialization, project complexity, and engagement length.