Markus Lappalainen
About Markus Lappalainen
Markus Lappalainen is a Project Coordinator at Daimler AG, with extensive experience in automotive engineering. He has contributed to the development of notable vehicles, including the Mercedes SLR Roadster and the Porsche 991.
Work at Daimler
Markus Lappalainen has been employed at Daimler AG since 2013, serving as a Project Coordinator at Mercedes-Benz U.S. International in Tuscaloosa, USA. In this role, he oversees research and development projects for the new EQ electric vehicles and the C-Class. His responsibilities include managing budgets and timelines throughout various development phases. Prior to his current position, he worked as a Senior Development Engineer at Daimler AG from 2008 to 2013 in Mercedes-Benz Cars R&D in Sindelfingen, Germany.
Education and Expertise
Markus Lappalainen possesses extensive expertise in automotive engineering, particularly in body design and development. His career spans multiple roles in leading automotive companies, where he has focused on body closures and body-in-white design. His technical knowledge is complemented by his experience in managing R&D projects and liaising between global teams, which enhances his ability to contribute effectively to complex automotive projects.
Background
Before joining Daimler AG, Markus Lappalainen held several engineering positions in notable automotive companies. He worked at Rücker AG as a Design Engineer in Body Closures from 1999 to 2001 and at Valmet Automotive as a Design Engineer in Body-In-White and Concept Car Development from 1997 to 1999. He subsequently joined Porsche as a Development Engineer from 2001 to 2005, where he contributed to the design of the aluminum body structure for the Porsche 991.
Achievements
Markus Lappalainen has led significant projects in the automotive industry, including the development of dihedral doors for the Mercedes SLR Roadster and the McLaren 12C. He played a key role in the development of retractable hardtops for the Mercedes SL and SLC. His contributions have been instrumental in advancing vehicle design and engineering, particularly in the areas of body structure and closures.
Previous Experience
Markus Lappalainen's previous experience includes a role as Principal Engineer at McLaren Automotive Ltd from 2005 to 2008, where he served as Interim Function Group Manager for Body Closures. His career also includes a four-year tenure at Porsche, where he focused on Body-In-White development. His diverse background across different automotive manufacturers has equipped him with a broad perspective on vehicle design and engineering processes.