Stefan Ferber Appointed CEO of Bosch Software Innovations

In a strategic leadership transition, Bosch Software Innovations has welcomed Stefan Ferber as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective January 1, 2018. The move follows Chairman Rainer Kallenbach’s shift to the Connected Mobility Solutions division, reinforcing Bosch’s commitment to the connected future.

Ferber joined Bosch in 2000, progressing through research, software development and product management roles. When Bosch acquired a software firm that would become the core of Bosch Software Innovations in 2008, he became part of the team in 2009. Quickly, he emerged as Bosch’s first IoT evangelist and a respected industry voice.

"With my software and programming background, I feel responsible for the Internet of Things at Bosch," Ferber says. His passion for coding began at age 16, and today he blends this skill with everyday IoT solutions—connected toothbrushes, smart thermostats, automated plant watering systems, and more—within his home. This real‑world enthusiasm fuels his leadership of Bosch Software Innovations.

“Implementing real‑world use cases with customers improves operations, unlocks new business models, and makes life safer and easier,” he notes. Under his guidance, the Bosch IoT Suite has become a leading IoT platform, while his advocacy of DevOps and Scrum has transformed the organization into a truly agile enterprise.

Leadership Philosophy

Ferber believes the IoT is more than technology; it’s a vehicle for solving humanity’s global challenges. He maintains a list of the 15 most pressing global issues in his office, with a focus on the convergence of ICT and sustainable energy solutions.

Guided by Bosch’s motto “Invented for Life,” he sees IoT as a human‑centric evolution that transcends traditional business boundaries. “With Bosch, we have the ability to bring value to our customers and their markets,” he says. To date, Bosch Software Innovations has delivered over 250 IoT projects, connecting more than 8.5 million devices worldwide.

Background & Credentials

Before Bosch, Ferber worked at DaimlerChrysler’s research center in Ulm on 3D computer vision, robotics and measurement technologies. He earned a B.Sc. and Ph.D. in computer science from the University of Karlsruhe (Germany) and an M.Sc. from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth (USA). He is also a certified ATAM lead evaluator through the Software Engineering Institute at Carnegie Mellon University.

Ferber’s role encompasses product and business development, sales, marketing, HR, finance and controlling. He co‑chairs the board of management with COO Michael Hahn, who has served as a board member since 2012.

Community & Advocacy

“No one can do IoT alone,” Ferber emphasizes—a mantra that has shaped Bosch’s open‑source strategy. He represents the Bosch Group on the Eclipse Foundation board and is an active member of the European Internet of Things Council, frequently speaking at industry conferences. His 25‑year expertise earned him a spot on the “Top 30 IoT Influencers of 2017” list.

Interested in hearing more from Stefan? Connect with him on Twitter and GitHub.