Dr. Ralf Schnupp studied physics at the university Erlangen-Nuremberg, Germany, focusing on solid-state and semiconductor physics. After receiving his diploma-degree in 1996, he joined the Fraunhofer-Institute of Integrated Circuits in Erlangen. Parallel to his PhD work entitled “backside contacted diamond-like carbon interdigitated arrays for bioelectronic applications”, he lead a research group for microsystems technology.

 

In 2001, Dr. Ralf Schnupp joined the automotive supplier Continental AG working in the purchasing department in different locations and for several Business Units: Passive Safety, Electronic Brake Systems, Driver Assistance Systems, and Sensorics. Followed by a period of 18 months in Business Controlling, he gained experience in finance. With the merger between Continental and Siemens VDO end of 2007, he received the opportunity to lead a product line called “Segment Inertial Sensors”. Since the automotive market showed a clear trend of integration of ESC-sensors into airbag control units, Division Chassis and Safety decided to merge the business fields of passive safety and inertial sensors. From 2012 on, Dr. Schnupp is taking care of the combined “Segment Occupant Safety and Inertial Sensors”, headquartered in Regensburg, Germany, as part of the Business Unit Passive Safety and Sensorics.