Engel joined Hoechst AG's Resins and Coatings Division in 1981 as an R&D chemist, and was most recently president and CEO of Herberts Automotive Systems Americas Inc., based in Pontiac, MI. DuPont acquired the Herberts coatings business from Hoechst in 1999.
Engel previously held a series of technical and management positions with Hoechst, including head of the company's waterborne resins project for industrial and automotive applications; project leader for the market launch of waterborne basecoats for automotive applications; R&D director of Herberts Automotive Systems; marketing director of Herberts Automotive Systems; and head of the Herberts/Vianova electrocoat worldwide team.