08/27/2025 updated

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info: not available until 02/01/2027

Senior Software Development Leader with Automotive Industry Expertise

France
Worldwide
Diploma in Computer Science
France
Worldwide
Diploma in Computer Science

Profile attachments

Curriculum Vitae of Mr. Earl Sorensen.pdf

About me

I combine deep automotive engineering experience with programme recovery, business transformation and executive advisory. I work comfortably from engineering teams to executive leadership, identifying root causes, challenging assumptions and turning complex problems into practical action.

Advanced Driver Assistance SystemsAutomotive ElectronicsAutomotive IndustryAUTomotive Open System Architecture (AUTOSAR)Management and Business ConsultingStrategic ManagementBusiness TransformationChange ManagementProgram OptimizationEmbedded SystemsEngineering ManagementGovernanceProject ManagementOperational ExcellenceOrganization DevelopmentProject Cycle ManagementStakeholder ManagementBusiness StrategiesExecutive ManagementRisk ManagementOrganization Transformation
Programme Recovery
Extensive experience assessing and recovering complex automotive programmes facing delivery, organisational, technical or commercial challenges. Rapid identification of root causes, establishment of clear ownership and implementation of practical recovery structures focused on measurable outcomes.

Business & Organisational Transformation
Senior advisory experience supporting executives and engineering leadership through organisational and operational transformation. Focused on organisational effectiveness, operating models, global collaboration and aligning business objectives with practical execution.

Programme Governance & Operating Models
Design and implementation of governance structures for complex global programmes, including executive steering, programme reviews, decision frameworks, ownership models, escalation paths, performance indicators and cross functional accountability.

Executive Advisory & Independent Assessment
Trusted adviser to senior management on programme health, organisational effectiveness, engineering capability and delivery risk. Experienced in providing independent assessments that distinguish symptoms from underlying organisational, technical and execution problems.

Engineering Leadership
Extensive experience building, restructuring and leading international engineering organisations and task forces. Strong focus on accountability, capability development, mentoring, organisational structure and creating teams capable of sustainable delivery.

Automotive Systems & Software Engineering
More than 25 years of automotive systems and software experience across embedded platforms, infotainment, ADAS, autonomous driving, diagnostics, functional safety, AUTOSAR, system architecture and hardware and software integration.

Software & Systems Architecture
Deep technical background in embedded software and systems architecture, including service oriented architectures, distributed systems, integration, platform development and production automotive systems.

Experience

Professional experience10+ years
Freelancer since1996

Languages

GermanBasic knowledgeEnglishNative speakerFrenchFluentJapaneseBasic knowledge

Project history

Global Pioneer Initiative Lead | Business Transformation

Pioneer Electronics

Automotive & Vehicle Manufacturing

>10.000 team member

Following the initial programme recovery and transformation engagement, appointed Global Pioneer Initiative Lead, working directly with the CEO of Pioneer’s OEM Business Unit.
Leading a global business transformation initiative focused on strengthening organisational effectiveness, programme execution, governance, leadership capability, and international collaboration.
The role spans executive advisory, transformation leadership, operating model development, programme management effectiveness, and strategic execution across a complex global automotive organisation.
Working closely with executive management and senior leaders across business, programme, engineering, and operational functions to translate strategic objectives into practical and sustainable organisational change.
Alongside the broader transformation mandate, I continue to provide independent assessment and advisory support on strategic organisational and programme topics.

Executive Advisor | Programme Recovery & Global Transformation

Pioneer Corporation

Automotive & Vehicle Manufacturing

>10.000 team member

Brought in initially to support the recovery and execution improvement of complex automotive development programmes. The engagement subsequently expanded into executive advisory and global transformation, working directly with the President, Executive Officers and senior leadership.
Provided independent assessment and advice on programme performance, organisational effectiveness, engineering capability, delivery risk and transformation priorities. Supported programme recovery through improved ownership, governance, risk management and cross functional execution, while identifying significant operational, cost and investment optimisation opportunities.
Following the initial recovery phase, appointed to lead the Global Pioneer transformation initiative, addressing programme management capability, organisational structures, governance and global operating models.
Key activities include executive steering governance, programme reviews, performance indicators, accountability models, leadership mentoring and stronger integration across commercial, programme, engineering, quality, procurement and production functions.
The role combines executive advisory, programme recovery, organisational transformation and strategic execution with deep automotive systems and software experience.

Executive Advisor | Programme Recovery and Global Transformation

Pioneer Electronics

Automotive & Vehicle Manufacturing

>10.000 team member

rought in to support programme recovery and execution improvement within a global automotive technology business. The engagement evolved from project recovery into executive advisory, organisational transformation, engineering governance, operating model development and strategic execution.
Working closely with Pioneer’s President, Executive Officers and senior leadership, I provided independent advice, challenged assumptions and helped shape programme execution and organisational development.
Key activities included:
• Recovering and stabilising complex automotive programmes through stronger ownership, governance, risk management and cross functional collaboration.
• Defining operating models, governance, escalation and decision frameworks to improve execution and accountability.
• Supporting the transition from regional silos towards a more integrated global organisation.
• Mentoring leaders and teams and supporting improved ways of working.
• Identifying operational improvements, cost optimisation opportunities and organisational risks.
• Helping shape the initial Global Pioneer initiative across engineering, programme management and business functions.
The engagement established the foundation for broader transformation and led to my subsequent appointment as Global Pioneer Initiative Lead.

Managing Director | Principal Consultant

ShiftDiligents
ShiftDiligents is my independent consultancy, providing senior advisory, programme assessment, recovery, transformation, and engineering support to automotive and technology organisations.
Alongside consulting activities, I remain actively involved in hands on technology development, using prototype projects to explore emerging technologies and practical applications.
Recent work has included the development of a real time body tracking and biomechanical analysis system for professional bicycle fitting, using depth cameras, computer vision, and machine learning to analyse rider position and support data driven bicycle setup.
I also designed and developed a blockchain based prototype for secure digital asset and real estate transactions, covering distributed transaction processing, cryptographic wallet management, account security, and persistent storage.
These projects allow me to maintain direct involvement with software architecture and emerging technologies while my primary professional focus has evolved towards programme recovery, executive advisory, organisational transformation, and engineering leadership.

Chairman & COO

Northshore Vietnam Ltd.

Automotive & Vehicle Manufacturing

10-50 team member

Set up and managed a small-scale software development company supporting automotive projects. Oversaw recruitment, site management, and technical direction.

Project Assessment Consultant

AOX/ZKW Elektronik
Supporting via AOX, ZKW Project

• Conducted independent assessments of programme execution, engineering capability, development processes, quality systems, organisational structures, and delivery risks across Europe and Asia.
• Identified root causes of programme and organisational challenges, defining pragmatic recovery strategies, corrective actions, and sustainable improvement plans.
• Advised senior leadership and executive management through concise assessments, recommendations, risk evaluations, and transformation roadmaps.
• Led and supported programme recovery, task force, and mentoring activities to remove delivery blockers, improve execution, and restore customer confidence.
• Facilitated alignment between engineering, quality, project management, and operational functions to strengthen accountability, governance, and delivery performance.
• Applied a practical, experience based approach to problem solving, combining technical depth, organisational insight, and operational execution gained through more than three decades of software and automotive development.

Automotive Embedded Consultant

Northshore Mgmt.
Chairman and Chief Operating Officer of Northshore Vietnam, supporting the development and operation of an international automotive software and engineering organisation with activities across mostly for European customers.
Responsible for operational leadership, organisational development, engineering capability, customer engagement, and the establishment of effective delivery structures across international teams.
Worked closely with company leadership and engineering teams on business development, recruitment, technical strategy, delivery performance, and the continued development of the Vietnam engineering organisation.
Combined executive and operational responsibilities with direct involvement in automotive engineering programmes, helping bridge customer expectations, business objectives, and engineering execution.

Product Owner (Consultant) – Body Domain

Cap Gemini
Consultant Product Owner supporting Renault’s EZ1 programme, with responsibility for the Body Domain Controller within a complex automotive series development environment.
Provided product ownership and technical leadership across embedded systems development, working between customer, supplier, architecture, and engineering teams to support effective delivery.
Key responsibilities included requirements and feature development, team mentoring and coaching, AUTOSAR based series development, and supporting improvements to organisational structures and working models.
Combined hands on automotive engineering experience with product leadership and organisational support to strengthen ownership, collaboration, and delivery across the development organisation.

BMW Automotive Specialist (Consultant)

Magna Electronics
SW Lead for BMW AdCam in Autonomous Vehicle development. Provided technical consultancy and recommendations to the VP of Magna Electronics Europe.

Area Manager – Base SW LIDAR (Consultant)

Magna Electronics
Managed the Base SW development within the AUTOSAR scope for BMW Autonomous Vehicles. Led recruitment efforts for team members and managed external supplier relationships.

Consultant – Autonomous Driving Specialist

BMW AG
Provided consultancy for BMW's Autonomous Driving Program. Identified critical success factors in system architecture and process optimization.

Area Manager – Audio/Entertainment (Consultant)

Continental
Managed functional domains and defect reduction for PSA's OVIP Wave2 HeadUnit project. Reported on KPIs and managed project bottlenecks.

Consultant – PIO/Integration Manager (Consultant)

BMW KAFAS
Led SW integration and build/release processes for BMW's ADAS Stereo Camera systems.

Area Manager – Audio/Radio/Entertainment (Consultant)

Magneti Marelli
Managed 120+ resources for BMW EntryNav project with Magneti Marelli. Led task force leadership and critical domain management in Audio and Tuner domains.

Automotive Business Development Manager

Altran
Managed automotive portfolio, including sales, marketing, and development. Led the acquisition of key clients like CLAAS and Continental.

SW Architect/Engineer

Continental (ex SVDO)
Led software architecture and engineering for telematics, connectivity, and entertainment systems. Developed SW for VW RNS (Audio Entertainment) and BMW CCC (Radio, CD, MP3).

MQ Series Consultant

ATOS Euronext
Worked as MQ Series Consultant.

Team Leader

Royal Bank of Scotland
Served as Team Leader.

Programmer/Analyst

Prudential Assurance
Worked as Programmer/Analyst.

Trainee Programmer

State Bank of NSW, Australia
Started career as Trainee Programmer as part of an Australian Government Traineeship.

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