Martin Richter
Director of Engineering - Seeking to apply accountable leadership and deliver operational excellence to a forward‑thinking organization
Global automotive engineering leader with 20+ years’ experience in powertrain and electrified drive systems. Proven ability to lead cross‑functional, global teams with cultural intelligence throughout multiple international assignments, manage engineering P&L and deliver complex OEM programs with a passion for exceptional customer experiences and building long-term loyalty. Returning to professional management after a rewarding period as a full-time family care giver
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Languages
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Skills
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Certifications
Work Experience
Member of the German CTI Powertrain Symposium Advisory Board (since 10/2023)
CTI Symposium
Oct 2023 — PresentCurrentBerlin
- Shaping program strategy by suggesting and evaluating call‑for‑papers and selecting technical content
- Defining key themes across e-mobility, advanced powertrain systems and market regulations
- Connecting international automotive executives, OEMs and top-tier suppliers to foster industry collaboration
Director Global Engineering, Head of Light Vehicle Transmission Systems
Dana Inc
Jan 2023 — Dec 2024Rivoli, Italy
- Leadership of Engineering Operations for the region Europe (3 tech centers with peak 270 employees)
- Lead product line for high performance products - transmissions and electric drive units
- Engineering P&L responsibility for region & tech centers Europe
- Drive execution of business unit strategy and derive regional targets for engineering functions
- Hire, lead and develop a world-class engineering organization. Attract exceptional talent, developing and inspiring team members and driving team to exceed expectations
- Ensure right skills and processes to build agile, best-in-class product- and process-oriented organization to meet customer needs and target costs in a timely manner
- Steered critical change initiatives and delivered substantial cost savings during a volatile period in the automotive sector
- Strong customer relationship within the super sports car sector Lamborghini, Bugatti, McLaren, AML as well as JLR and STLA
Head of System Project Management R&D
ZF Friedrichshafen AG
May 2021 — Dec 2022Friedrichshafen, Germany
- Leadership of the discipline pool R&D System project management (around 25 project managers) on site
- Professional leadership of Engineering Project Managers to ensure “operative excellence” (Processes, methods, tools etc.)
- Resource-Management within the department across whole division in order to assure usage of synergies, increase in efficiency, staffing projects sufficiently and driving cost savings
Head of Project Development, Acquisition & Budget DIV-E R&D in AsiaPacific
ZF Friedrichshafen AG
Mar 2020 — Apr 2021Shanghai, China
- Combined responsibility within R&D for merged Electrified Powertrain Division including project management, resource & budget planning and acquisition (multiple customers)
- Business partner R&D for regional product line
- Build & lead team for future project acquisitions to clarify technical requirements with customer from first contact to successful project nomination
- Plan development project activities in alignment with strategic, regional and cooperate goals
- Disciplinary responsibility and leadership of a department on site and in Japan. Assigning tasks based on the employees’ knowledge, ensuring qualification and advancement of the employees.
- Budget and resources plan for the cost center, staying in control and initiate measures in response to budget variance
Technical Project Manager 8HP (customer JLR)
ZF Friedrichshafen AG
Jul 2017 — Feb 2020Saarbrücken, Germany
- Working with OEM to meet system specification targets for automatic transmissions
- Lead internal development teams: calibration, design, testing, software and quality to maintain overall systems and vehicle attributes and execute to target
- Monthly financial, technical and risk analysis reports
- Interface with internal and external customers on technical matters and drive issue resolution
- Disciplinary management of one active employee
Sr. Program Manager 8HP (customer AUDI)
ZF Friedrichshafen AG
Oct 2013 — Jun 2017Gray Court, USA
- Manage and oversee all program management activities including budget, resources & milestones
- Manage and facilitate core team with members from all relevant departments across international locations to solve all upcoming issues
- Lead negotiations for creating product specifications with customer representatives
Supervisor Local Engineering (customer FCA)
ZF Friedrichshafen AG
Oct 2010 — Sep 2013Auburn Hills, USA
- Resident engineer and representative of ZF Friedrichshafen on-site to support the customer FCA with technical support and plant/quality issues
- Processing all related topics of product development for automatic and hybrid transmissions at customer site (FCA)
- Spearheaded the establishment of a tech center, overseeing disciplinary management of up to 11 engineers
Calibration Engineer for 6HP & 8HP automatic transmission (customer BMW)
ZF Friedrichshafen AG
Oct 2006 — Oct 2010Saarbrücken, germany
Calibration & Test Engineer for DCT control units
Continental AG
Jul 2006 — Oct 2006Nürnberg, Germany
Project Engineer vehicle simulation
Volkswagen AG
Apr 2006 — Jun 2006Wolfsburg, Germany
Skills
Electrified Powertrain EngineeringStrategic Client Relationship ManagementStructured decision-making & International LeadershipProject & Budget ManagementGlobal & Cultural AdaptabilityPeople managementInternational verbal and written communication
Education
Dipl.-Ing., Mechanical Engineering(automotive)
Technische Universität Carolo-Wilhelmina zu Braunschweig, Germany
Leadership and Innovation
Multiple transmission SW function patents
ZF Friedrichshafen AG
Golden Eye program management & High Performance Teams
ZF Friedrichshafen AG
Leadership training USA - iLead A / B
ZF Friedrichshafen AG
Management training - proMG4
ZF Friedrichshafen AG
Languages
English
Fluent
German
Native
Spanish
Intermediate
Italian
Basic
Polish
Intermediate