Christoph Starzynski has a front seat view of the auto industry’s tech transformation as he helps lead Mercedes-Benz’s product portfolio toward an all-electric future.

The 20-year company veteran leads the development of Mercedes’ electric EQ sub-brand — a high-profile role as the inventor of the automobile pivots to a zero-emission brand.

Starzynski and his team have developed a state-of-the-art Electric Vehicle Architecture platform that underpins Mercedes’ next-generation battery-powered models. 

“We are making sure not to compromise anything on the EV side,” Starzynski, 47, told Automotive News.

But the executive’s remit extends beyond leading technology change.

In the new world of “software-defined vehicles,” the old-school automaker finds itself competing for talent and ideas with new-school EV makers such as Tesla and Lucid.

To help Mercedes compete, Strazynski is driving a shift in workflow from Stuttgart to Shanghai that prioritizes speed and collaboration.

For EQ model line development, Mercedes has ditched department silos in favor of a flat organizational structure that encourages real-time collaboration.

“We’re in a different competition right now,” Starzynski said. “We brought people together from all areas, and they were fighting for the best ideas.”

Starzynski started his career in the purchasing department of DaimlerChrysler in 2002. After holding managing positions in production, quality and supplier quality in Germany and the U.S., he was appointed director of quality for Mercedes’ plant in Vance, Ala., in 2011.

Starzynski returned to Germany in 2015, taking over global quality management for the Mercedes C-Class, E-Class and S-Class. 

Moving to electric mobility, Starzynski was named chief engineer for Electric Vehicle Architecture in 2017. Three years later, he took over as vice president of the EVA product group, responsible for charging activities at Mercedes-Benz and the EQ sub-brand. 

Earlier this year, Starzynski extended his influence, overseeing electric drive unit development.