Gerold Klocke - Automotive Software Project Manager, 20 Years

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Wetzlar, Germany

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Experience

Mar 2025 - Present

1 year 7 months

Wetzlar, Germany

Software Project Manager

Pioneer Europe R&D Center

Field: Automotive / Amplifier
freelance
Mercedes Benz AG: MBOS 2.0 Amp581
Coordination of an international software team
Setting up and adapting development structures
Representing software topics in all committees and meetings
Coordination of various software suppliers
Software responsibility for VDA 6.3 Audit & ASPICE Assessment

Apr 2024 - Jan 2025

10 months

Dortmund, Germany

Technical Project Manager

KOSTAL Automotive

Field: Automotive / Roof Control Unit
freelance
Responsible for:
MAN.3: Project Management
SUP.8: Configuration Management
SUP.9: Issue Management
SUP.10: Change Request Management
ACQ.4: Supplier Monitoring
Mercedes Benz AG: DBE VAN (including front interior monitoring) & ITS Module (rear interior monitoring)
Coordination of the various domains: System (including Requirements Engineering & Testing) Mechanics / Hardware / Software
Participation in KOSTAL Core Team Meetings
Participation in customer meetings
Coordination of a software supplier (Vodafone Automotive)
Preparation of ASPICE Assessment Level3

Jan 2022 - Mar 2023

1 year 3 months

Rietheim-Weilheim, Germany

Software Product Manager – Agile

Marquardt

Field: Automotive / Seat Belt Recognition
freelance
Coordination of an international software development team (Germany / Spain / Greece).
ASPICE: Responsible for MAN.3 in SW-PM
Daimler: FSM VS20 (Fond Seat Monitoring)
SW-Projektmanagement according MQ EHB V4.2
RPLAN planning (schedule / resources)
leading SW development tasks
leading internal SW dev meetings
participation in internal meetings / core team meetings, HW, SYS, DQA, IE, FST
Interface / Responsibility to customer for SW and also internal departments
review of tasks with SYS-Eng / PM

Aug 2021 - Mar 2024

2 years 8 months

Markdorf, Germany

SW-Project Management Office

Continental AG

Field: Automotive / Gateway
freelance - Agile
SW-Project Management- / Business Owner- Support
VW: MQB GW23
Moderation and documentation of various daily meetings
Coordination of SW-Product Manager (& SW-Product Owner)
Communication management
Schedule management
Reporting management
Potential and risk management
Identification and documentation of improvement potential

Jun 2019 - Aug 2021

2 years 3 months

Babenhausen, Germany

Software Product Manager – Agile

Continental AG

Field: Automotive / Instrument Cluster
freelance
Coordination of an international SW development team (>40 MAs Singapore / Romania / Germany / Portugal).
BMW Gen5: IC-Box
Development of an Autosar (Automotive Core) and Integrity (Grahic Core) based IC-Box in the instrument cluster area.
Management of a task force team (diagnostics), including 3 months in Porto (Portugal), to achieve the customer goals.
The development takes place in an agile environment, according to SAFe 4.5

Dec 2018 - Mar 2019

4 months

Frankfurt, Germany

Basic Project Manager

Continental AG

Area: Automotive
Freelance
Coordination of an international team across multiple locations
ADAS: ACC.400
Advance Driver Assistance System
Further development of an existing software function Adaptive Cruise Control (Autosar based) as a basic project for various ongoing and future customer projects.
The software runs on different versions of hardware platforms (radar sensor/camera/brake).

Jul 2017 - Dec 2018

1 year 6 months

Software Project Manager

SYSGO AG

Area: AVIONIC
Freelance
Coordination of an international team across multiple locations
Reporting, including project budget
Interface between the customer and SYSGO Development/Test
PikeOS 5.0
Further development of an existing, certified operating system (PikeOS).
DAL-A certification
First use: PowerPC PPC_e500 / AIRBUS Helicopter

May 2015 - Jul 2017

2 years 3 months

Overall Project Manager

Takata AG

Area: Automotive / Seat Belts
Freelance
Coordination of an international team across multiple locations (>40 employees in Software / Hardware / Design / Toolmaking / Purchasing / Validation and Test / Production / Suppliers)
Project implementation according to SPICE, including customer audit
Reporting, including project budget
Coordination of customer requirements
Interface to the customer and TAKATA Management
Establishment and coordination of production sites abroad:
Continental Timisoara (Romania) EMS Electronic
TAKATA Miskolc (Hungary) Subassembly Electronic
TAKATA Krzeszow (Poland) Assembly Seat Belt
AUDI RGS (Reversible Seat Belt Tensioner)
Development of a new product (MSB - Motorized Seatbelt)
First use: AUDI A8
Other vehicles: VW Touareg / AUDI A6/A7 / Porsche / Bentley

Jul 2014 - Jun 2015

1 year

SW Project Manager

Continental Automotive GmbH (VDO)

Area: Automotive / Instrumentation
Freelance
Establishment and coordination of an international SW development team (>40 employees in Germany / Singapore / Mexico / Romania).
After the discontinuation of an existing team (sister project), rebuilding a team through service and work contracts.
Establishment of a project office.
BMW Instrument Cluster (Gen3.1 / 37up)
Follow-up project of a series production project, new HW and SW concept (taken over from the sister project: Automotive Core - Autosar / Graphic Core – Integrity) with the functionality of the existing series production project and safety requirements.

Jun 2014 - Aug 2014

3 months

Task Force Manager: BMW Instrument Cluster

Continental Automotive GmbH (VDO)

Area: Automotive / Instrumentation
Due to an eight-week delay by the software supplier, a µController port (FSL Vybrid (SoC) -> HALO) had fallen behind schedule.
The delay was recovered within a further eight weeks, enabling the customer to receive the new system on time.

Feb 2012 - Jun 2014

2 years 5 months

Acquisition of various new projects AUDI / VW

Continental Automotive GmbH (VDO)

Area: Automotive / Infotainment
Management of the software acquisition teams
Development of technical concepts
Technical presentations in-house and at the customer’s site (proposal presentations).
Awarding of a joint project from AUDI/VW in 08.2014.
Execution in Germany (AUDI share / lead project) and Romania (VW share)

Jul 2011 - Jun 2014

3 years

Software Project Manager

Continental Automotive GmbH (VDO)

Area: Automotive / Infotainment
Freelance
Coordination of an international software development team (approx. 30 employees in Germany, Singapore and Romania) across several customer projects.
AUDI - Head-Up Display
Driver information (speed, traffic signs, navigation information) in a virtual box two meters away from the driver
Parallel project
Relocation of HUD development to Romania during the ongoing project
Planning the relocation, setting up an in-house project, planning training and travel activities:
Training and relocation of development,
Training and relocation of functional responsibility
SW-TPM training, support during the first projects (derivative / model year)
Report to management in Germany / Romania
Independent execution of a first customer project (new project) in Romania, supported by me as trainer and contact person.

Aug 2010 - May 2011

10 months

Project Coordinator

Volkswagen AG

Area: Automotive / Infotainment
Freelance
Advising the project management (OEM), coordination of the cooperation with a TIER 1 in an international / Asian project environment.
MIB Modular Infotainment Toolkit
Navigation / Telephone / Voice control / Media...

Apr 2010 - Aug 2010

5 months

Overall Project Manager

Flextronic Automotive GmbH

Area: Automotive / Body Electronics
Freelance
Coordination of an international project team (>50 software / hardware / design / toolmaking / purchasing / validation and testing / production / suppliers)
Reporting also with regard to the project budget
Coordination of production sites abroad: China / Hungary
Daimler SIB (Covisint) access
Overhead control unit for Mercedes Benz Cars
Sunroof control / glasses compartment / reading light / interior monitoring / network node

May 2008 - Jun 2010

2 years 2 months

Overall Project Manager

Automotive Lighting Reutlingen GmbH

Area: Automotive / Body Electronics
Freelance
Coordination of an international project team (>30 team members in software / hardware / mechatronics / design / purchasing / validation and testing / production / supplier: Magneti Marelli)
Reporting also with regard to the project budget
Coordination of production sites abroad: Slovakia
Platform control unit XENON – lighting for premium OEM's

Aug 2006 - Feb 2009

2 years 7 months

Overall - Project Manager

Automotive Lighting Reutlingen GmbH

Area: Automotive / Body Electronic
freelance
Coordination of an international project team ( >30 team members in Software / Hardware / Mechatronics / Design / Purchasing / Validation & Testing / Production / Suppliers and development partners: Robert BOSCH and Magneti Marelli )
Reporting also regarding the project budget
Coordination of production sites abroad: France / Italy / Slovakia
Platform control unit for controlling Bi - XENON lights, dynamic headlamp leveling, cornering light, curve light,...

Jan 2006 - Aug 2006

8 months

Technical Manager Navigation and Displays

Delphi Delco Electronics Europe GmbH (Delphi Grundig Automotive GmbH)

Area: Automotive / Infotainment
freelance
Entertainment & Communications Europe
Project management support
Coordination of the sub-project managers
International development team > 50 ( Sweden / Poland / Germany / India )
PVCS-Tracker ( database for software defect tracking )
Daily project status report to the customer in English
Project status report to DELPHI Management ( Europe / USA )
GPS navigation system ( GME-Opel platform )

Jul 2004 - Dec 2005

1 year 6 months

SW – Project - Coordinator

Delphi Delco Electronics Europe GmbH (Fuba Automotive GmbH & Co. KG)

Area: Automotive / Infotainment
freelance
DELPHI - CSP - Common Software Process
PVCS-Tracker ( database for software defect tracking )
PVCS-Version Manager ( database for different software versions )
WDM-Web Defect Manager ( DaimlerChrysler database )
Team coordination
International development team >10 ( Sweden / Poland / Germany )
TV-hybrid tuner: Analog / Digital reception ( DVB-T )
Rear seat Entertainment ( Mercedes Benz / Maybach / Porsche )

Apr 2004 - Jun 2004

3 months

Software - Project Manager / Developer

Continental AG (Siemens VDO Automotive AG)

Area: Automotive / Commercial Vehicle
freelance
Continued an existing project as a freelancer / handover to successor
------- Light-Control-Module - Semiconductor-controlled light ( VOLVO ) Motorola HCS12 microcontroller, Smart Power High Side Switches BTS650 / BTS840 Central-Door-Looking-System - Radio-controlled door opening system ( DAF / Renault ) Motorola HC08 microcontroller

Aug 2000 - Mar 2004

3 years 8 months

Software – Project Manager / Developer

Continental AG (Mannesmann VDO / Siemens VDO Automotive AG)

Area: Automotive / Commercial Vehicle
Permanent position
Responsible for creating software and documentation ( in English )
Coordination of external employees in the software area
Light-Control-Module
Semiconductor-controlled light ( VOLVO )
Motorola HCS12 microcontroller, Smart Power High Side Switches BTS650 / BTS840
Central-Door-Looking-System
Radio-controlled door opening system ( DAF / Renault )
Motorola HC08 microcontroller

Industry experience

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

Experienced in Automotive, Manufacturing, Aerospace and Defense, and Information Technology.

Automotive

Manufacturing

Aerospace and Defense

Information Technology

Business area experience

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

Experienced in Project Management, Information Technology, Product Development, Quality Assurance, Sales, and Production.

Project Management

Information Technology

Product Development

Quality Assurance

Sales

Production

Summary

I bring over 20 years of experience in software and technical project management, mainly in the automotive industry. I coordinate international teams and suppliers across software, systems, hardware, mechanics, testing, production and purchasing, and I act as a clear interface between customers, management and development teams.

My focus includes Automotive SPICE, VDA 6.3, agile development and project structures, with experience in instrument clusters, infotainment, body electronics, lighting, seat belts, gateways, driver assistance and amplifiers. I have led teams of more than 40 people, managed task forces, supported customer audits and coordinated international development and production sites. I hold Dipl.-Ing. E-Technic and Dipl. Project Manager (FH) qualifications.

Skills

Office Programs

Ms-Office: Excel / Power Point / Ms Project (Server) / Word
One Note / Confluence

Version Control Systems

Ms-Sharepoint
Cdb – Cim Database
Mks - Integrity
Dimension
Svn-Tortoise
Merant Pvcs – Version Manager
Cvs

Ticket Databases

Jira
Mks - Integrity
Dimension
Serena Defect Manager
Kpm-Web (Vw)
Wdm-Web Defect Manager (Mercedes Benz Cars)
Bugzilla
Merant Pvcs - Tracker
Rational Clearquest

Requirements Engineering

Ibm Rational Doors
Polarion

Communication

Ms-Teams / Zoom / Jabber

Languages

German

Advanced

English

Intermediate

Education

FH Bielefeld

Dipl.-Ing. · Electrical Engineering (Information Processing)

University of Applied Sciences Friedberg

Dipl. Projektmanger (FH) · Project Management · Friedberg, Germany

Statistics

Experience

Total positions 20

Experience in Automotive 24 y

Avg length 1 y 6 m

Longest experience 3 y 7 m

Global experience

Countries worked in 1 (Germany)

Primary country Germany

Expertise

Recent roles Software Project Manager, Technical Project Manager, Software Product Manager – Agile

Main industries Automotive, Manufacturing, Aerospace and Defense

Main business areas Project Management, Information Technology, Product Development

Qualifications

Highest degree Master

Profile

Member since

September 2026

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Frequently asked questions

Have questions? Find more information here.

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

Gerold speaks the following languages: German (Advanced), English (Intermediate).

Gerold has at least 26 years of experience. During this time, Gerold has worked in at least 15 different roles and for 14 different companies. The average length of individual experience is 1 year and 3 months. Note that Gerold may not have shared all experience and actually has more experience.

Based on recent experience, Gerold would be well-suited for roles such as: Software Project Manager, Technical Project Manager, Software Product Manager – Agile.

Gerold's most recent position is Software Project Manager at Pioneer Europe R&D Center.

In recent years, Gerold has worked for Pioneer Europe R&D Center, KOSTAL Automotive, Marquardt, and Continental AG.

Gerold is most experienced in industries like Automotive, Manufacturing, and Aerospace and Defense. Gerold also has some experience in Information Technology.

Gerold is most experienced in business areas like Project Management, Information Technology, and Product Development. Gerold also has some experience in Sales, Quality Assurance, and Production.

Gerold has recently worked in industries like Automotive.

Gerold has recently worked in business areas like Project Management, Information Technology, and Quality Assurance.

Gerold holds a Master in Electrical Engineering (Information Processing) from FH Bielefeld.

Gerold is immediately available full-time for suitable projects.

Daily rate distribution

0 2 4 6 8

<€800 €800-960 €960-1120 €1280+

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

Average rates for similar positions

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Daily rate avg. 879 €

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 852 €

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 15 Sep 2026. Actual rates may vary depending on seniority level, experience, skill specialization, project complexity, and engagement length.