Shaping change
How Detlef navigates transformation in automotive software
What does it mean to not just experience change, but to shape it?
Detlef has found his own answer to this question, and his career at ETAS is a powerful reflection of that mindset.
From customer to visionary leader
Detlef’s connection to ETAS goes back more than two decades. In the late 1990s, he first encountered ETAS as a customer, introducing ASCET into ESP development for commercial vehicles. Over the years, even as he took on different roles within the Bosch Group, ETAS remained a constant presence in his professional journey. Let’s take a closer look at some of the milestones that have shaped this remarkable path.
In 2012, he embraced a new chapter: General Manager of ETAS India.
"It wasn’t just a career step," he recalls. "It was a deep cultural learning experience."
Leading a local team while maintaining strong ties to Germany shaped his view of leadership – one built on communication, trust, and understanding.
Back in Germany, he was asked to coordinate a high-priority project. The launch of several Bosch Engine Control Units (ECUs) required close alignment across teams, and ETAS was entrusted with leading a cross-functional task force .
Detlef took the lead, navigating between developers, executives, and customer contacts. It became a defining moment: "I had to learn to translate complex technical problems into clear, actionable messages for very different audiences."
Did you know?
Transformation starts with mindset
For Detlef, true transformation doesn’t start with tools or technologies. It begins within people – in how they think, connect, and shape the future together. That same spirit of inner change has also driven ETAS’ evolution over the years, transforming it from a trusted automotive partner to a recognized voice in the era of software-defined vehicles.
Since 2022 leading the newly established Engineering Excellence at ETAS, Detlef works every day to rethink processes and structures to prepare for what’s ahead. At the same time, he never loses sight of the human side of change.
"Change doesn’t threaten me. It’s an invitation to think differently."
A voice beyond ETAS
At ETAS, Detlef leads more than just a department, he leads a mindset. As Head of Engineering Excellence, he and his team build the foundation for future technologies, track trends before they go mainstream, and develop structures that make us faster, smarter, and more resilient. It’s this blend of foresight and pragmatism that makes his work so relevant – not just for today, but for what’s next.
But that’s only part of the story.
Detlef is also a recognized voice in the wider industry. He promotes open collaboration models like Open Source and regularly speaks at international conferences, where he shares insights on transformation and the path toward software-defined mobility. He represents ETAS in expert circles such as the EU Sherpa Group and the VDA working group on SDV, helping to shape the future of mobility on a strategic level.
And behind the scenes, he supports policy work: co-authoring memorandums of understanding (MoUs), helping to secure public funding for forward-thinking projects, and making sure our voice is heard in European and national decision-making circles.
What drives him isn’t the spotlight. It’s the belief that real transformation happens when technology serves people, and when expertise, humility, and collaboration meet.
Sharing knowledge and supporting talent
One of Detlef’s guiding principles is simple: knowledge grows when it’s shared.
He regularly offers explainer sessions for colleagues from different departments. His goal is to help them understand technical developments and their wider impact. For him, true change begins when understanding spreads across people and teams, not just across systems.
When it comes to empowering the next generation, his message is clear: leadership isn't about repeating the past. It’s about creating something new.
What ETAS means to him – and why it matters
When Detlef talks about ETAS, it becomes clear that for him, it’s more than just a company. It’s a place where trust is real, and people genuinely support each other.
"It’s not just the projects that have kept me here all these years," he says. "It’s the way people connect, how they help each other, and how much you can rely on those relationships when it really matters."
For Detlef, the true strength of ETAS lies in this spirit of openness. It is not about titles or formal structures. It’s about the feeling that you are part of a community where help is offered without hesitation, and where collaboration feels natural, not forced.
This shared sense of purpose, combined with mutual respect, is what has shaped his journey over the years – and what continues to drive his passion for what’s next.
Looking ahead
Detlef’s vision is clear. He sees ETAS becoming one of the few players able to offer scalable, future-proof base software stacks, enabling customers to develop faster and smarter. Yet for him, the biggest transformation goes far beyond technology. It is cultural.
As new players enter the market and innovation accelerates, the true challenge lies not only in mastering technical change but in rethinking how people work, collaborate, and lead. Traditional models are being questioned. New mindsets are needed. And that is exactly the kind of environment where Detlef thrives – one that rewards openness, courage, and new ways of thinking.
Key takeaways from Detlef's journey
Embrace change as a chance for growth
See change as an opportunity, not a threat
Combine technical expertise with customer focus
Bridge deep know-how with real customer needs
Invest in talent to create impact
Mentoring and curiosity drive lasting progress
Detlef Zerfowski
Dr. Detlef Zerfowski is a seasoned expert in automotive software, with over 25 years of experience at Bosch and ETAS. From his early days as a customer to his leadership roles in India and Germany, he has played a key role in shaping software strategy, solving security-critical challenges, and guiding the transformation toward software-defined vehicles. Today, he leads Engineering Excellence at ETAS, combining technical depth with a passion for empowering the next generation.
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