Is your innovation strong, but your execution holding you back?
I manage complex technology projects to success for startups, SMEs, and larger companies
– with real impact and measurable outcomes –
so that your customers keep being satisfied and your market position is maintained.
“Technology is not an end in itself. It must be understandable, usable, and impactful. In my current projects, the focus is on making complex technologies tangible and successful —for teams, funding bodies, and decision-makers.”
Strategic High-Tech Project Management
Interim project leadership and PMO setup for complex technology projects in photonics, sensor systems, quantum technologies, and automotive – method-flexible and goal-oriented.
My Offer:
✅ Requirements-based project methodology: Classical (waterfall, milestone planning), Agile (Scrum, iterative), 8D method (technical problem solving), KVP / Kaizen (continuous improvement), objective conflict moderation.
✅ Structured and goal-driven planning and deployment of budgets and resources, with ongoing adjustments in coordination with internal and external stakeholders and the client.
✅ Leadership of internal and external project teams (up to ~10 members), with an empathetic and situational approach.
Your benefit: Structured project execution with deep technological expertise – enabling clear goal achievement, satisfied clients, and a focused, committed project team.
Strategic innovation consultation
Guidance throughout innovation processes – for startups and small enterprises; from initial idea to strategic integration. I support you in developing, evaluating, and implementing relevant innovations with long-term impact.
My Offer:
✅ Development of well-founded market studies with technological and economic expertise.
✅ Creation of interdisciplinary innovation roadmaps with evaluation frameworks.
✅ Active involvement of relevant stakeholders throughout the innovation process.
✅ Workshop formats with structure, methodological depth, and outcome orientation (innovation, strategy etc.) with structure & depth.
✅ Promotion of impact-driven thinking and strategic relevance.
Together, we develop robust innovations that endure – with real-world applications and strategic significance.
Testimonials
“I have worked with Thomas via our conference series, AutoSens, he has been a speaker and advisor and is highly regarded for this technical expertise. Thomas is detail-oriented, and always goes the extra mile to consider the need of those with whom he is working. Highly recommended.”
Robert Stead,Managing Director and Founder, Sense Media Group, August 2025
“I had the pleasure of working with Dr. Thomas Knieling during his time as Head of the Business Unit Mobility at Fraunhofer IMS, where he consistently demonstrated exceptional expertise, leadership, and dedication to innovation in MEMS sensors, especially Single Photon Avalanche Detectors (SPADs) for applications in Automotive and Quantum Computing fields.
Thomas stood out not only for his deep technical knowledge but also for his ability to translate complex research into practical applications. His strategic thinking and collaborative spirit made him a key contributor to several high-impact projects, including SPADs integration for Ion Trap-based Quantum Computing, as well as for exterior (LiDAR) and interior (driver health measurement) sensing.
Beyond his professional capabilities, Thomas is a thoughtful and inspiring colleague. He fosters a culture of curiosity and excellence, and his mentorship has had a lasting impact on those around him.
I wholeheartedly recommend Thomas for any role that requires vision, integrity, and a strong drive for technological advancement. He would be an asset to any organization.”.
Dr. Chris Traxler, Senior Technical Consultant, Fraunhofer IMS/Hepla AG, August 2025
This is how the collaboration works – 6 steps to project success
I work with agile tools such as Kanban and review cycles, integrated quality management (including 8D and de-escalation strategies), and platforms like Miro, Notion, and MS Project. The goal is always impact—not formalism.
1. Initial Consultation – Gaining Clarity
Together, we take a structured look at:
- The current challenge
- Project type and status
- Technical risks and organizational framework
- Key next steps that require immediate attention
Objective: A shared, open understanding of the situation. I listen carefully and ask systems-level questions – not just technical ones.
2. Proposed Approach – Structure & Transparency
I will prepare a structured document outlining:
- My responsibilities as your external project manager
- The project goals we define together
- The methodology applied (e.g., 8D, change management, KPI framework)
As a seasoned engineer and manager, I never treat a project in isolation — I assess it in context: your organization, your processes, and your culture.
Once we’ve aligned, the official project assignment will follow.
3. Team Alignment
At the project kick-off, we:
- Introduce all involved stakeholders
- Review and finalize objectives, work packages, and open questions
- Assess how well the team structure and company culture support the project
My leadership approach is relational — not directive. It’s based on empathy, appreciation, and a systemic understanding of roles, context, and collaboration.
4. Project Kickoff – Structured Execution
We initiate the implementation phase with:
- Clear role assignments and resource alignment
- Timeline definition, milestones, and deliverables
- Handling bottlenecks, delays, and scope adjustments
- Usage of proven methods: 8D, FMEA, Ishikawa, change control
Defining meaningful KPIs and visualizing project progress
If needed, further tools will be integrated seamlessly into existing systems (Jira, Confluence, MS Project, MSR, SAP, etc.)
All team members receive access to relevant specifications and formal documentation — including requirements and responsibilities.
5. Ongoing Communication – Moving Forward Together
- Regular status meetings with structured updates (e.g., via Kanban)
- An open feedback culture and joint development of solutions
Ad-hoc check-ins or focused sprints when necessary
Over time, a tailored and efficient work rhythm emerges — adapted to the complexity and pace of your project.
6. Project Closure – Results & Outlook
- Acknowledging and reviewing project outcomes
- Client and team feedback, identifying areas for improvement
- Exploring potential follow-up projects or transfer opportunities
Goal: Wrap up with transparency, insight, forward-looking mindset – every successful project is a stepstone toward what’s next.
Optional Practices – Tailored to Project Needs
- Stakeholder mapping & communication matrix
- Change request processes & strategy for scope modifications
- Risk analysis & scenario modeling
- Evaluating funding opportunities (e.g. Horizon Europe, EIC, nat. funding etc.)
- Inclusion of systemic thinking and socio-technical frameworks
About me
Dynamic and accomplished Project & Research Manager with over 20 years of experience in R&D, innovation management, and strategic project execution – including leadership roles at the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, one of the world’s leading research organizations.
I combine deep technical expertise with strategic foresight, having successfully managed over 30 innovation projects with budgets up to €5 million per one. My work spans microelectronics, photonics, sensor systems, and quantum technologies – always with a focus on turning complex technologies into market-ready solutions.
Selected milestones include:
- Leading interdisciplinary & multicultural teams of up to 10 members from Europe, the US, and Asia.
- Chairing the international IEC Working Group TC119 on printed electronics (members from CN, JP, USA, KOR, DE)
- Securing over €2 million in public funding (EU, BMBF, ZIM) with a success rate above 70%
- Supervising numerous Bachelor’s and Master’s theses for international students
- Freelance consulting in quantum computing and automotive tech marketing (Sense Media, UK)
Fluent in English, with basic proficiency in French and Spanish. Known for a proactive, communicative, and analytical working style that consistently drives innovation and operational excellence.
For more details on my professional background, please refer to my CV.
My Approach and Unique Value
I combine technical expertise with methodological thinking and a deep understanding of societal dynamics, paired with entrepreneurial thinking. My perspective is shaped by systems theory (inspired by Niklas Luhmann) and communication theory (such as the model by Friedemann Schulz von Thun) as well as organisational theory after Gareth Morgan (and therein).
This approach allows me to view technical projects not just through a functional lens, but also in terms of structure and culture. Communication, organizational design, and company culture often influence outcomes more than tools or technologies themselves.
I help my clients uncover these interconnections and use them to their advantage, so that good ideas don’t get lost in friction, but instead gain traction and impact.
Contact:
Dr.-Ing. Thomas Knieling, Physicist (Diploma)
Address
Humboldtstrasse 7
23564 D-Lübeck
Call me:
+49 15121271139
Text me:
tk@deeptech-consulting.com
Social Media:
www.linkedin.com/in/drtknieli
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