Joachim Szodruch graduated from the Technical University Berlin in 1971 followed by a post-graduate study at Cambridge University, UK. He obtained his PhD from the Technical University Berlin from where in 2003 he also received an Honorary Professorship.

For two years he worked at NASA Ames Research Centre. In 1981 he joined MBB Civil Transport Division in Bremen and followed various positions in Hamburg and Toulouse where he eventually was appointed Vice President Future Projects and Technology.

Between 2002 and 2010 he was a Member of the Executive Board of DLR (German Aerospace Centre) in Cologne, specifically responsible for Aeronautics and Energy.

Presently he is the Chairman of the Board of Hamburg Aviation and Founder of IFAR (International Forum of Aviation Research).

He served over the years in many national, European and international functions in industrial, scientific and advisory committees, specifically also as Co-Chairman of ACARE, Chairman of EREA as well as President of DGLR and CEAS.

He is an Honorary Member of the DGLR, an Associate Fellow of AIAA and received the ICAS von Karman Award, the ICAS Maurice Roy Award Prof. Dr.-Ing. Joachim Szodruch