Michael Schoellhorn

Michael Schoellhorn is Chief Executive Officer of Airbus Defence and Space. In this capacity, he is responsible for the company’s defence, space and connected intelligence activities. He also serves as a member of Airbus’ Executive Committee, the Managing Director of Airbus Defence and Space GmbH and a member of the Board of Directors of Airbus U.S. Space and Defense, Inc. 

Additionally, Michael is the President of BDLI, the German aerospace industry association, a member of the Presidential Board of BDI, the German industry association, and a member of  VOITH’s shareholder committee.

Prior to his appointment at the helm of Airbus Defence and Space, Michael was Airbus’ Chief Operating Officer. In this position, he led the company’s production, quality, procurement and information management organisations, transforming and building the production system of the future.

Michael joined Airbus in 2019 from BSH Home Appliances, where he was COO and a member of the company’s Management Board. He began his career with Bosch in 1999 and held various senior management positions in the automotive sector in the United States, the Czech Republic and Germany before being appointed EVP for Manufacturing and Quality in 2012.

From 1994 to 1999, with assignments in Germany and the US, Michael worked in academia as a research assistant at the Helmut Schmidt University in Hamburg. He holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering and a PhD in Control Engineering. 

Michael joined the German armed forces in 1984, where he served as an officer and a helicopter pilot until 1994.