Ernst Zindel (23rd January 1897 Mistelbach, Upper Franconia – 10th October 1978 Bad Homburg) was Head of Overall Development for Junkers between 1932 and 1945. In 1914 Zindel volunteered for service with a Bavarian infantry regiment in Ingolstadt. After being severely wounded in 1916, he studied shipbuilding at Charlottenbung TH, joining Junkers at Dessau as a designer after graduating in 1920. In 1922, Zindel worked under Professor Dr Otto Marder, head of the Research Department, following the death of Chief Designer Dipl-Ing Otto Reuter.