I am a senior embedded software engineer and technical project lead with over 30 years of experience delivering complex, safety-critical real-time software solutions across automotive, aerospace, radar and professional audio industries.
Throughout my freelance career, I’ve successfully led international development teams, built real-time software architectures, and ensured full compliance with standards like ISO 26262, DO-178B, and ASPICE. My work spans embedded C/C++, DSP systems, AUTOSAR platforms, and radar signal chains – often in close collaboration with hardware, chip design, and system testing teams.
As managing director of my own engineering business, I’ve supported Tier 1 clients such as BMW, Airbus, Harman, AKG and Symeo, while also advising smaller businesses on IT infrastructure and embedded development strategies.
I thrive in technically demanding environments where precision, collaboration, and safety matter. I am now open to new challenges – as a project lead, senior engineer or consultant – where I can contribute my deep industry knowledge, leadership experience, and passion for quality engineering.
Dipl.-Ing.
09/1999 -
today
CEO
Schneider Daten- und Medientechnik
Munich
Founded and led my own engineering business delivering high-end embedded software, DSP development, and safety-critical system projects across automotive, aerospace, radar, and audio industries.
- Delivered long-term freelance contracts for Tier 1 clients (e.g. Harman, AKG, Symeo)
- Managed full project lifecycles, from architecture to compliance for my clients
- Advised small businesses on IT infrastructure, hardware setup, and technical strategy
- Oversaw business operations: client relations, subcontractor coordination, and budgeting
Focus: Embedded systems, real-time software, functional safety, cross-industry technical consulting
01/2022 -
06/2025
Senior Software Project Manager
Symeo GmbH
Neubiberg
Project: Development of real-time radar API software for Tier 1 automotive supplier
- Led the development of a real-time radar API driver interfacing with a complex MMIC radar chip.
- Built and managed an international team of 9 engineers across software, chip, and test domains.
- Oversaw software architecture, module design, interface definitions, and safety protocol development.
- Managed ASPICE & ISO 26262 (ASIL B) process compliance, including definition of safety goals, work products, FMEA, and tool qualification.
- Designed a desktop-based hardware/software verification environment.
- Defined and reviewed software architecture, modules and interfaces, as well as safety relevant chip communication protocols.
- Implemented change and requirements management processes with integrated sprint planning and corrective actions.
- Prepared and reviewed software FMEA and work products for ASIL-B assessment.
Tools & Platforms: Jira, GitLab, Jama Connect, Confluence, Smartsheet, SharePoint
Standards: ISO 26262 (ASIL-B), ASPICE
01/2021 -
12/2021
Senior Software Project Manager
Symeo GmbH
Neubiberg
Project: “Superradar” – Radar software R&D for next-gen automotive platforms
- Conducted functionality analysis and defined software architecture & module specifications.
- Led a 7-person team; implemented agile sprints based on ASPICE guidelines.
- Defined and managed software & safety requirements (ISO 26262), including risk analysis and system integration testing.
- Built Superradar demonstrators for Tier 1 customers and performed performance measurements & test drive support.
Tools & Platforms: Jira, GitLab, Jama Connect
Standards: ISO 26262, ASPICE
03/2019 -
09/2020
Functional Safety Analysis Specialist
HARMAN International
Garching
Detailed system and software safety analysis (HAZOP, CCFA, DFA) acc. to ISO26262 ASIL-A for projects BMW IuK RAM 2018, Daimler AVAS 2020, and BMW Booster 2021.
Corrective action supervision, requirements management and safety assessment support.
08/2018 -
02/2019
Software Project Lead
HARMAN International
Garching
SW Project Lead for BMW Booster 2021, leading a development team of 12 people in Germany, Hungary, China and India.
Responsible for team lead, schedule, development tools and
interfaces to customer and internal departments. Weekly progress and
status reporting to program lead and customer. Functional safety
analysis of requirements and software according to ISO26262 ASIL-A.
AUTOSAR platform based realtime software development on S32SK14x with AVB, I2S, I2C, etc. according to ISO26262 ASIL-A.
01/2015 -
07/2018
Senior DSP Developer
HARMAN International
Vienna, Straubing, Garching
DSP driver software for hardware abstraction layer and 8-PSK modulator for a wireless microphone system (AKG Acoustics GmbH, Vienna).
DSP software for BMW IuK Receiver Audio Module. Responsible for development of sound synthesizer modules ASD, VSG and E-Sound acc. to ISO26262 ASIL-A (HB Lifestyle Audio, Straubing and Garching).
01/2000 -
12/2014
Senior Software Engineer and Group Leader
AOA Apparatebau Gauting GmbH
Gauting
Development, documentation and certification of safety relevant micro controller and DSP software according to RTCA DO178B DAL-D
and DAL-C for airborne systems. Projects included:
- Intelligent high power fans and ventilation system controllers
- Speed controlled pumps and impellers
- DSP controlled high-speed vacuum generators
05/1998 -
12/1999
Software Integration Test Manager
EDS Germany
Munich
Management of SW integration test for global client/server software „New Contract Administration System“ (NCAS).
09/1996 -
05/1998
Project Manager
EDS Germany
Munich
Service Obligation Revenue Statistics (SORS) PC client module for evaluation of mainframe service contract data. Working on VMS, Digital Equipment Alpha Clusters and Compaq PCs.
06/1991 -
06/1996
Head of Development
computerhansa Gesellschaft für Prozess- und Datentechnik mbH
Munich
Leading a development team of 4 to 8 engineers, working local or remote at the customer. Examples:
- Microcontroller software for BMW E39 Light-Control Module
- Optical pattern recognition software for PCB inspection systems
- Real estate database system.
06/1988 -
06/1991
Embedded Software Engineer
computerhansa Gesellschaft für Prozess- und Datentechnik mbH
Munich
Car cockpit simulations for BMW on graphical workstations.
Microcontroller software for BMW E38 Check-Control.
Project Management:
- International teams leadership
- Functional safety (automotive and airborne)
- Change and risk management
- Test management
- Model-driven engineering
- System engineering and architecture design
Standards:
- FuSa: ISO 26262, DO-178B/C
- ASPICE 3.1, 4.0
Methods/
Environments:
- Functional Safety requirements management
- Realtime embedded and DSP software development
- Functional safety analysis of software and systems according to ISO26262 and RTCA DO178B regulations
- V-Model, ASPICE, UML, Scrum, Kanban
Tools/
Software:
- JIRA, GitLab, Jama Connect, Confluence, Smartsheet, SharePoint
- DOORS, Enterprise Architect, Perforce, ODA
- Programming Languages: C/C++, Pascal, Assembler
- Operating Systems: AUTOSAR, QNX, Windows, Linux, Apple OS X
- Script Languages: Python, Bash, AppleScript
- Test Tools: CANalyzer/CANoe, WireShark, AudioMulch, Labview, ...
- PC and Mainframe database systems: SQL, MS Access
- Office Systems: MS Office, Teams, Project, etc.
Electronics:
- FPGAs, Radar MMICs, DSP, MCU and SOC families (8 to 32 bit)
- Communication: Ethernet, CAN, AVB, IMA (Integrated Modular Avionics), ...
- Interfaces: ADC, I2C, I2S, TDM
- Audio Circuits: DSPs, Class-D amplifiers
- Motors: Three-phase synchronous motor drivers
- Power: PFC and SMPS control circuits
© Klaus Schneider, 2025
Dipl.-Ing.
I am a senior embedded software engineer and technical project lead with over 30 years of experience delivering complex, safety-critical real-time software solutions across automotive, aerospace, radar and professional audio industries.
Throughout my freelance career, I’ve successfully led international development teams, built real-time software architectures, and ensured full compliance with standards like ISO 26262, DO-178B, and ASPICE. My work spans embedded C/C++, DSP systems, AUTOSAR platforms, and radar signal chains – often in close collaboration with hardware, chip design, and system testing teams.
As managing director of my own engineering business, I’ve supported Tier 1 clients such as BMW, Airbus, Harman, AKG and Symeo, while also advising smaller businesses on IT infrastructure and embedded development strategies.
I thrive in technically demanding environments where precision, collaboration, and safety matter. I am now open to new challenges – as a project lead, senior engineer or consultant – where I can contribute my deep industry knowledge, leadership experience, and passion for quality engineering.
09/1999 -
today
CEO
Schneider Daten- und Medientechnik
Munich
Founded and led my own engineering business delivering high-end embedded software, DSP development, and safety-critical system projects across automotive, aerospace, radar, and audio industries.
- Delivered long-term freelance contracts for Tier 1 clients (e.g. Harman, AKG, Symeo)
- Managed full project lifecycles, from architecture to compliance for my clients
- Advised small businesses on IT infrastructure, hardware setup, and technical strategy
- Oversaw business operations: client relations, subcontractor coordination, and budgeting
Focus: Embedded systems, real-time software, functional safety, cross-industry technical consulting
01/2022 -
06/2025
Senior Software Project Manager
Symeo GmbH
Neubiberg
Project: Development of real-time radar API software for Tier 1 automotive supplier
- Led the development of a real-time radar API driver interfacing with a complex MMIC radar chip.
- Built and managed an international team of 9 engineers across software, chip, and test domains.
- Oversaw software architecture, module design, interface definitions, and safety protocol development.
- Managed ASPICE & ISO 26262 (ASIL B) process compliance, including definition of safety goals, work products, FMEA, and tool qualification.
- Designed a desktop-based hardware/software verification environment.
- Defined and reviewed software architecture, modules and interfaces, as well as safety relevant chip communication protocols.
- Implemented change and requirements management processes with integrated sprint planning and corrective actions.
- Prepared and reviewed software FMEA and work products for ASIL-B assessment.
Tools & Platforms: Jira, GitLab, Jama Connect, Confluence, Smartsheet, SharePoint
Standards: ISO 26262 (ASIL-B), ASPICE
01/2021 -
12/2021
Senior Software Project Manager
Symeo GmbH
Neubiberg
Project: “Superradar” – Radar software R&D for next-gen automotive platforms
- Conducted functionality analysis and defined software architecture & module specifications.
- Led a 7-person team; implemented agile sprints based on ASPICE guidelines.
- Defined and managed software & safety requirements (ISO 26262), including risk analysis and system integration testing.
- Built Superradar demonstrators for Tier 1 customers and performed performance measurements & test drive support.
Tools & Platforms: Jira, GitLab, Jama Connect
Standards: ISO 26262, ASPICE
03/2019 -
09/2020
Functional Safety Analysis Specialist
HARMAN International
Garching
Detailed system and software safety analysis (HAZOP, CCFA, DFA) acc. to ISO26262 ASIL-A for projects BMW IuK RAM 2018, Daimler AVAS 2020, and BMW Booster 2021.
Corrective action supervision, requirements management and safety assessment support.
08/2018 -
02/2019
Software Project Lead
HARMAN International
Garching
SW Project Lead for BMW Booster 2021, leading a development team of 12 people in Germany, Hungary, China and India.
Responsible for team lead, schedule, development tools and
interfaces to customer and internal departments. Weekly progress and
status reporting to program lead and customer. Functional safety
analysis of requirements and software according to ISO26262 ASIL-A.
AUTOSAR platform based realtime software development on S32SK14x with AVB, I2S, I2C, etc. according to ISO26262 ASIL-A.
01/2015 -
07/2018
Senior DSP Developer
HARMAN International
Vienna, Straubing, Garching
DSP driver software for hardware abstraction layer and 8-PSK modulator for a wireless microphone system (AKG Acoustics GmbH, Vienna).
DSP software for BMW IuK Receiver Audio Module. Responsible for development of sound synthesizer modules ASD, VSG and E-Sound acc. to ISO26262 ASIL-A (HB Lifestyle Audio, Straubing and Garching).
01/2000 -
12/2014
Senior Software Engineer and Group Leader
AOA Apparatebau Gauting GmbH
Gauting
Development, documentation and certification of safety relevant micro controller and DSP software according to RTCA DO178B DAL-D
and DAL-C for airborne systems. Projects included:
- Intelligent high power fans and ventilation system controllers
- Speed controlled pumps and impellers
- DSP controlled high-speed vacuum generators
05/1998 -
12/1999
Software Integration Test Manager
EDS Germany
Munich
Management of SW integration test for global client/server software „New Contract Administration System“ (NCAS).
09/1996 -
05/1998
Project Manager
EDS Germany
Munich
Service Obligation Revenue Statistics (SORS) PC client module for evaluation of mainframe service contract data. Working on VMS, Digital Equipment Alpha Clusters and Compaq PCs.
06/1991 -
06/1996
Head of Development
computerhansa Gesellschaft für Prozess- und Datentechnik mbH
Munich
Leading a development team of 4 to 8 engineers, working local or remote at the customer. Examples:
- Microcontroller software for BMW E39 Light-Control Module
- Optical pattern recognition software for PCB inspection systems
- Real estate database system.
06/1988 -
06/1991
Embedded Software Engineer
computerhansa Gesellschaft für Prozess- und Datentechnik mbH
Munich
Car cockpit simulations for BMW on graphical workstations.
Microcontroller software for BMW E38 Check-Control.
Project Management:
- International teams leadership
- Functional safety (automotive and airborne)
- Change and risk management
- Test management
- Model-driven engineering
- System engineering and architecture design
Standards:
- FuSa: ISO 26262, DO-178B/C
- ASPICE 3.1, 4.0
Methods/
Environments:
- Functional Safety requirements management
- Realtime embedded and DSP software development
- Functional safety analysis of software and systems according to ISO26262 and RTCA DO178B regulations
- V-Model, ASPICE, UML, Scrum, Kanban
Tools/
Software:
- JIRA, GitLab, Jama Connect, Confluence, Smartsheet, SharePoint
- DOORS, Enterprise Architect, Perforce, ODA
- Programming Languages: C/C++, Pascal, Assembler
- Operating Systems: AUTOSAR, QNX, Windows, Linux, Apple OS X
- Script Languages: Python, Bash, AppleScript
- Test Tools: CANalyzer/CANoe, WireShark, AudioMulch, Labview, ...
- PC and Mainframe database systems: SQL, MS Access
- Office Systems: MS Office, Teams, Project, etc.
Electronics:
- FPGAs, Radar MMICs, DSP, MCU and SOC families (8 to 32 bit)
- Communication: Ethernet, CAN, AVB, IMA (Integrated Modular Avionics), ...
- Interfaces: ADC, I2C, I2S, TDM
- Audio Circuits: DSPs, Class-D amplifiers
- Motors: Three-phase synchronous motor drivers
- Power: PFC and SMPS control circuits
© Klaus Schneider, 2025