About the person

From university to the world’s toughest industries. It all began in the laboratories of Jena University of Applied Sciences – in the field of mechatronics, a discipline that combines mechanics, electronics and computer science into a single field. Even whilst he was still a student, Eric Tobias worked on projects at Jenoptik as a UML and SysML engineer on defence system architectures – model-based engineering at the highest level, long before it became an industry standard. Master’s degree was accompanied by a further placement at a start-up Ai-Iris, where he developed circuit technology for a medical-optical calibration device – working hands-on, independently and closely aligned with the application.

The early years – sectors where there is no room for error. After completing Master’s degree in Engineering, he joined Rheinmetall straight away – Defence technology, turret systems, safety-critical documentation. Complex systems, the highest standards, zero tolerance for errors. Those who succeed here will gain a lasting, fresh perspective on quality and responsibility.

Eric Tobias took the next step between two jobs: a project management training course lasting several months in Hanover – PMBOK, IPMA and MS Project – these demonstrably laid the methodological foundations for the next stages of his career.

An international focus – electric motors for the whole world. At W. Winkelmann Elektromotoren As a project engineer, Eric Tobias was responsible for the design and calculation of electric motors ranging in power from a few kilowatts to several megawatts – for industrial clients across all continents in the oil and gas, energy, mechanical engineering and automation sectors. International standards were part of his daily working vocabulary.

Electric mobility at the very highest level – Polestar & Mercedes EQ. At Valeo Siemens eAutomotive As Technical Project Manager, Eric Tobias coordinated the final development phase of the high-performance drive system for the Polestar 1 – across sites in Germany, Sweden and China, working closely with the relevant project managers and ensuring the timely series production for further models. At ZF Friedrichshafen he then worked as an external quality planner in the quality management department, supporting the development and production approval of the Mercedes-Benz EQ-drive unit at several German, European and Czech sites – successfully audited and launched on schedule.

Professional development with long-term prospects – ICC-accredited Master of Business Administration for engineers. In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, Eric Tobias made a conscious decision to take the next step: His degree as IHK-certified industrial engineer in Regensburg. The reasoning behind this is that the best engineers must also be able to speak the language of senior management.

Taking responsibility on the big stage. At Framatome in his role as external and central dispatcher, Eric Tobias managed the scheduling for an entire business division within the energy technology sector. Deliveries to a wide range of European energy suppliers in Finland, Sweden, England, Germany, Switzerland, Spain and worldwide were coordinated with the respective project managers. At BMW Group in Munich, he took on a role of responsibility as a specialist temporary worker in the context of the New Class HVS - plant development programmes: planning, organisation and coordination at departmental level – ensuring that engineering and management were on the same page.

Today - ETF Engineering Task Force. Launched in 2026, this ETF is the logical outcome of over a decade of industry experience. It is not some faceless entity, but a specialist that understands what matters. From defence, medical and electrical engineering, through global energy and propulsion projects, to series production for the world’s leading car manufacturers. Excellence, reliability and efficiency – not as a promise, but as an attitude.

If your project is challenging, time-sensitive or complex – then that’s the perfect starting point for a discussion.