Diego Fiorentino

PMP-certified Electronic Engineer with 20+ years of international experience leading manufacturing technology, industrial automation and digital transformation initiatives across global industrial operations.

Proven track record driving advanced manufacturing technologies, connected factory integration, production optimization and industrial transformation initiatives through a combination of strong technical expertise, industrial project execution and leadership roles at Volkswagen, Continental and Siemens within international production environments.

Experience includes development, validation and industrial deployment of advanced manufacturing technologies, production equipment concepts and scalable automation solutions supporting manufacturing systems integration, operational readiness and global production environments.

Recognized for building, developing and mentoring a multidisciplinary automation and commissioning team in Malaysia, leading industrial startup, execution and final operational handover within technically demanding production environments.

International career developed through living and working across Germany, Malaysia, the United States and Argentina, collaborating across globally distributed engineering, operations and manufacturing organizations.

Languages: Spanish (Native) | English (Fluent) | Italian (Advanced) | German (Intermediate)

Digitalization Project Manager at VOLKSWAGEN AG (POWERCO) (2021-08 – Present)

Lead digitalization and automation initiatives for battery cell gigafactory operations within PowerCo's Digital Manufacturing organization, supporting scalable smart factory platforms through MES integrated automation, connected production systems and digital manufacturing initiatives across global operations.

• Led definition of integrated smart factory concepts and digital production solutions for AGV fleet management platforms, production interfaces and connected industrial systems supporting intralogistics and automation initiatives
• Led cross-functional technical alignment, supplier tendering and nomination activities, coordinating process requirements, solution evaluations and supplier selection
• Directed project execution activities including planning, milestone governance, budget coordination, systems integration, commissioning, testing and final plant handover
• Coordinated cross-functional alignment across Engineering, Operations, IT, Digitalization and external technology partners supporting smart factory deployment
• Led global rollout and implementation alignment activities supporting standardized automation and connected production systems across battery production sites

Lead Automation Engineer at NORTHVOLT GmbH (2021-01 – 2021-07)

Led battery gigafactory automation initiatives supporting smart factory integration, connected production systems and industrial digitalization within the Northvolt–Volkswagen joint venture, collaborating closely across integrated production and factory digitalization platforms.

• Led automation integration and supplier coordination activities across battery production, intralogistics and connected manufacturing systems
• Defined technical requirements, automation standards and integration concepts supporting scalable battery production platforms and startup activities
• Coordinated cross-functional technical alignment across engineering, automation and supplier organizations supporting gigafactory deployment initiatives

Senior Controls and Drives Project Engineer at CONTINENTAL REIFEN DEUTSCHLAND GmbH (2015-01 – 2020-12)

Led smart factory, industrial automation and manufacturing transformation initiatives supporting Continental's global tire production network and Industry 4.0 programs, integrating advanced automation technologies with in-house digital factory systems supporting connected production and operational performance across global manufacturing operations.

• Conducted manufacturing assessments across production environments to identify automation gaps, process optimization opportunities and equipment improvement initiatives focused on energy efficiency, ergonomics, maintainability, standardization and production reliability
• Led technical integration and coordination activities for production equipment and specialized industrial systems supporting plant modernization initiatives
• Led smart factory modernization initiatives through robotics, machine vision and advanced automation technologies supporting process optimization, traceability and connected production environments
• Led technology scouting, proof-of-concept validation and advanced manufacturing improvement initiatives, identifying and scaling automation solutions supporting operational excellence, production consistency and connected factory deployment
• Led intralogistics automation initiatives through development and implementation of AGV, conveyor, automated storage and material handling solutions supporting flow optimization and integrated production systems
• Selected as headquarters representative for control systems standardization within Continental's Generic Technical Equipment Standard team, leading technology evaluation, standard definition and implementation governance across 22 global production sites
• Acted as headquarters automation lead for the Thailand greenfield tire manufacturing project, coordinating controls integration and production readiness activities between the new site and global engineering teams

Head of Automation and Commissioning at IMPSA MALAYSIA SDN. BHD (2010-02 – 2014-06)

Directed automation and commissioning operations for large-scale industrial projects in Malaysia, leading multidisciplinary engineering and field teams while overseeing onsite execution, systems integration, startup and final operational handover.

• Built and led multidisciplinary automation and commissioning teams of up to 25 engineers, technicians and field specialists, defining organizational structure, technical competencies and operational readiness strategies for large-scale industrial projects
• Led technical mentoring, execution readiness and cross-functional coordination activities, preparing automation and commissioning teams for complex onsite operations and industrial project execution
• Led commissioning strategy, systems integration, testing, customer acceptance and final operational handover across large-scale industrial project
• Coordinated suppliers, subcontractors, manufacturing teams and customer stakeholders across complex heavy industry and port operation environments
• Reported project execution status, delivery milestones and operational progress directly to executive leadership and board-level management

Automation and Control Project Engineer at SIEMENS-VAI (2008-05 – 2009-05)

Led brownfield automation modernization and control systems integration activities within a major steel manufacturing plant in the United States, supporting plant modernization, operational readiness and successful production startup.

• Led onsite coordination activities between Siemens engineering teams, suppliers and customer operations supporting a complex industrial modernization project
• Directed project execution activities including PLC/SCADA upgrades, control systems integration, commissioning, testing and production startup
• Supported operational stabilization and production performance improvements following automation implementation and system deployment activities

Automation and Control Project Engineer at SIEMENS-VAI (2006-05 – 2008-04)

• Delivered industrial automation and control systems solutions for large-scale metals and heavy industry projects across North America, South America and Europe, including systems integration, commissioning and production startup support
• Coordinated automation and control implementation for major industrial expansion projects at Argentina's largest aluminum production plant, managing supplier execution and commissioning during critical production shutdown periods

Automation and Control Commissioning Engineer at IMPSA PORT SYSTEM (2004-12 – 2006-04)

Worked within the Automation and Control division, delivering industrial automation, commissioning and control systems integration solutions for port infrastructure projects supporting global customer operations.

• Developed PLC, HMI and SCADA solutions for large-scale crane systems, including industrial communications and control systems integration
• Supported technical specifications review, control panel testing, commissioning, system startup and customer handover activities across international port operations

B.S in Electronic and Telecommunication Engineering – UNIVERSITY OF MENDOZA

Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification (Kuala Lumpur - 2012)