MAX WILFINGER

Max Wilfinger

Engineering Team Lead

Studies

Production Science and Management (English study), MSc
Mechanical Engineering and Business Administration, BSc

Profiles

TOP-Skills

Leadership, product & program management, strategy

Contact

mail@maxwilfinger.com

Interests

Electrification, software and data, product design

I lead a cross-functional team at BMW Group in Munich, developing electric drive components from concept to series production. My work brings together engineering, purchasing and production, with responsibility for maturity, budget, quality and international suppliers. Previously, I led prototype retrofits and initiated a software tool now used by more than 1,600 people. I have been working since the age of 16, alongside school and university. I also co-founded a profitable sports business without venture capital and work part-time as a technical consultant. Alongside engineering leadership, I enjoy hands-on development, open-source software and product design — from digital tools and process optimisation in production to the overall design of a 38 m yacht for the Maldives.

References

I have created value for

BMW
Volkswagen
Mercedes
Porsche
Audi
Sony
Siemens
Magna
AVL
Mini
Mercedes-AMG
Rolls Royce Motorcars

Curriculum Vitae

My Resume

Work Experience


Team Lead Electric Powertrain Engineering

BMW Group — Munich, Germany
  • Lead a cross-functional team across engineering, purchasing and production
  • Own maturity, budget and quality of the Gen6 electric drive platform
  • Significant product-cost reduction through optimization in running series production
  • Manage 11 international suppliers (APAC/EMEA) from sourcing through to release
  • Introduced end-to-end virtual validation, shortening development by over 30%
  • Efficiency, weight and cost optimization of the transmission components
  • Own systems integration of all components across the entire drive platform

Product Owner and Project Lead Vehicle Engineering

BMW Group — Munich, Germany
  • Responsible for the retrofitting (mechanics, E/E & software) of prototype vehicles
  • Led the multidisciplinary team with operational control of all process groups
  • Initiator and Product Owner of an IT tool used by 1,600+ people in 19 departments
  • Coded the first version myself, then owned its strategic roadmap
  • Secured €5M in funding for a separate application and led it to MVP delivery
  • Led 18 cross-functional experts through exploration and MVP delivery
  • Owned hardware offerings for MINI, BMW compact class and BMW i
  • Decided prototype types and build phases for new hardware demand
  • Built data models and predictive dashboards to improve planning and processes
  • Process engineering, analysis, and implementation of long-term optimization measures

Technical Consultant (part-time)

Wilfinger Consulting — Munich, Germany
  • Identifying new opportunities, applications and use cases for products and services
  • Supporting product and business development from idea to implementation
  • Designing and improving products, workflows and processes (software and hardware)
  • Translating technical and functional requirements into feasible concepts and solutions

Co-founder and CEO

4ward concepts — Ludwigsburg, Germany
  • Founded without venture capital; six-figure revenue and profitable in year one
  • Time to market under one year, from idea to a product ready for sale
  • Hardware product development from concept and prototyping to series production
  • Scaled the business: P&L, supply chain, B2B/B2C sales and marketing

Education


MSc in Production Science and Management

Graz University of Technology — Graz, Austria
  • International master’s taught in English, majors Advanced Technologies and Management and Operations with Harvard case studies (Curriculum)
  • Focus: production science, corporate planning and steering, Industry 4.0/IoT, business informatics, project and innovation management
  • Master’s thesis with Magna in embedded software development (grade 1.0)
  • Graduated as Dipl.-Ing. with distinction; FSI/MAGNA and TU Graz scholarship holder

BSc in Mechanical Engineering and Business Administration

Graz University of Technology — Graz, Austria
  • Focus: Machine elements, technical mechanics, mathematics, CAx, technology management, basics of computer science and electrical engineering (Curriculum)
  • Bachelor’s thesis: Interaction of Mechatronic Components in the Drivetrain (excellent)

Practical Experience


Development of Chassis and Automated Driving

Magna Steyr — Graz, Austria
  • Working student in the technical area of chassis and powertrain engineering
  • Systems engineering and integration of future Advanced Driver Assistance Systems
  • Adaptation of development processes based on future strategies and business models
  • Concepts for the integration and validation of future fully autonomous driving systems
  • Support in the area of functional safety (ISO 26262) in concept development
  • Assist the team leader for ADAS integration and chassis/powertrain in various projects
Sony Vision-S Concept PrototypeSensor Fusion for Automated Driving

Program Management, Electrification and AWD

Magna Powertrain — Lannach, Austria
  • Working student in the program management of global product programs
  • Coordination of interfaces between engineering, sales, production and procurement
  • Support of the Program Managers and the Director Program Management Europe
  • Participation in customer meetings with change, schedule and offer negotiations
  • Integration in SE teams with resource planning and tracking of different topics
  • Support in the management of various product programs over the product life cycle from concept and acquisition to the end of production (regarding quality, timing and costs)
BMW xDrive — variable torque all-wheel driveAudi quattro ultra and Porsche AWD (911 & SUV)

Vehicle Engineering, Testing and Quality BEV (Taycan)

Porsche — Weissach, Germany
  • Support the team leader prototype management and testing BEV and sports car series
  • Analysis and optimization of global vehicle testing strategies and endurance test plans
  • Preparation of documents for presentation to the executive management of Porsche
  • Participation in budget planning and controlling of the BEV project (engineering)
  • Assistance in the Department of overall vehicle engineering, testing and quality
  • Involvement in SE teams, E-Department control cycles and series committees
  • Evaluation of market analysis, charging infrastructure and customer field data
  • Planning of the endurance and complete vehicle tests of the first BEV derivative
Porsche BEV - Mission e conceptMission e concept, Porsche's battery electric vehicle

Engineering Project Management, AWD and eDrive

Magna Powertrain — Lannach, Austria
  • Working student in the technical overall engineering project management
  • Supporting the Project Managers (technical & integration) and Department Manager
  • Resource planning and controlling of projects (budget, work packages and time)
  • Technical guidance in a variety of custom powertrain projects (axles and transfer cases)
  • Cost and forecast analyses as well as scheduling of projects (also with OEM)
  • Support the daily operations with the system integration in project management
Mercedes-AMG E63 S 4MATIC+ — fully variable all-wheel driveVolvo V60 Twin-Engine Powertrain (ICE + electric rear axle)

Powertrain Engineering, Transmission Mechanics and Testing

Mercedes-AMG — Affalterbach, Germany
  • Planning, organization, implementation and evaluation of powertrain tests
  • Dimensioning and designing hydraulic components in the clutch and transmission
  • Documentation and evaluation of diagnostic findings and benchmark tests
  • Organization and assistance in test setups (development vehicle & test bench)
  • Coordination of parts / development parts logistics and test stand commissioning
  • Support daily business operations and continuous contact with other departments: workshop, construction, application and suppliers (and across internal plants)
Mercedes-AMG GT S. Image courtesy of Mercedes-AMG.Illustration of some drivetrain architectures. Image courtesy of Mercedes-AMG.

Test Driver

AVL — Graz, Austria
  • Testing of functional endurance runners, prototype and pre-series vehicles within the framework of data record management of engine development and calibration
  • Measurement and recording of parameters of the control units and other sensors in the engine and exhaust system using ETAS INCA during test drives
Sample picture for illustrative purposes onlySample picture for illustrative purposes only

Lead Yacht Designer

K2 Vision — Lenzerheide, Switzerland
  • Responsible for the overall design and construction of a 38m long ship
  • Deck planning of the four decks, complete exterior and interior design
  • Planning of supply lines and installations (electricity, water, IT)
  • Creation of photorealistic renderings for product and advertising images
  • Project work in the home office and on site at the shipyard in the Maldives
Early concept renderings of the exteriorSchematic deck plans of the yacht

Research and Development

Reutter — Nellmersbach, Germany
  • Prototype development and optimization of tank and SCR systems
  • Test report, sampling (PSW) in accordance with PPAP
  • Creation of multi-language presentations and work instructions
  • Participation in meetings with the OEM: Decision and implementation of actions
  • Creation of standardized DVP&Rs for all product groups, based on diverse customer requirements, specifications and international standards.
AdBlue filler neck and SCR-filling system (incl. vent and filtration system)Lockable AdBlue filler with flow-optimized filters

Project and Process Management Support

Ingenieurbüro Kurt Wilfinger — Affalterbach, Germany
  • Project planning and simulations of photovoltaic systems and LED light technology
  • Building automation: Creation of visualizations, graphical user interfaces and logics for the GIRA HomeServer. KNX-Bus and interface programming.
  • Graphic design and web development
LED street light systemsModules with solar cells

Prototype Manufacturing and Test Laboratory

Reutter — Nellmersbach, Germany
  • Research, prototyping and development of filler caps and SCR systems
  • Creation of a test and time plan for a complete product release (DVP&R)
  • Measurements in the test laboratory, validations, development and series tests
  • Analysis, result interpretations, documentation and preparing presentations
SCR, high pressure, and oil cap with ventFiller neck and oil cap

Quality Management and Quality Assurance

Reutter — Myjava, Slovakia
  • Quality assurance and optimization of radiator caps and valves
  • Machine and process capability investigations (cpk)
  • Production scrap analysis and documentation with tolerance studies
  • Production scrap reduction of 15% by process optimization in the manufactory on locations in Germany, Austria and Slovakia
Radiator caps, partly with 2-stage vent valveRadiator caps, partly with 2-stage vent valve

Production, Assembly and Quality Assurance

GETRAG FORD Transmissions — Ludwigsburg, Germany
  • Cooperation in production, hardening shop, final assembly and quality control
  • Testing of engine control and transmission gears on measuring machines

Communication Designer

design hoch drei — Stuttgart, Germany
  • Design of print, digital and online products for Mercedes-Benz
  • Creation of the trade fair appearance for Herrenknecht

Work Experience Internship

Mercedes-AMG — Affalterbach, Germany
  • Work in the Performance Studio on vehicle customization
  • Assistance with assembly for the Mercedes-AMG G-Class

Personal Skills

Qualification and Engagement

Languages


German  —   native

English  —   fluent

French  —   basic

Software / IT


Professional knowledge

Fundamental knowledge

Programming Languages and Operating Systems

  • Python, C++ (basics), VBA, DAX, R, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Git, LaTeX
  • Microsoft Windows, Debian GNU/Linux, Apple macOS/iOS, Google Android

Voluntary Work


Member of VDI

Verein Deutscher Ingenieure - The Association of German Engineers
  • Committed member of the Association of German Engineers
  • Participation in various networking and further education events

Member of IAESTE Graz

International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience
  • Vice President and Member of the Board for Marketing — FY 17/18: Representation of the President and taking minutes of meetings. Responsible for marketing-related issues.
  • Auditor — FY 15/16: Responsible for the ongoing business control and audit of the financial management of the Management Board. Supervision of the proper accounting.
  • Member of the Board for Marketing — FY 14/15: Development and implementation of marketing strategies for our projects and the voluntary participation at IAESTE Graz. Design of marketing material, advertising, social media administration and branding.
  • Deputy Career Fair Manager TECONOMY Graz — FY 13/14: Organizing the greatest career fair for students in Austria with around 100 companies and over 4000 visitors.
  • Exchange Incoming Team — FY 12/13: Checking the incoming nominations for internship offers. Interviewing the international candidates on the telephone in English.

Contact

No matter what.