Born in Bremerhaven, Germany. Visual effects supervisor and special effects artist who entered German film with Roland Emmerich's MOON 44 (1990). Other notable credits include UNIVERSAL SOLDIER (1994), "Der Letzte Kosmonaut" (1993, TV), MEIN GROßVATER and GEGENSCHUß (both 1994), GODZILLA and INDEPENDENCE DAY (both 1996) and CORONADO (2003, also writer & producer). Engel also directed the special effects and produced "Ring of the Nibelungs" (2004, TV).  Best Achievement in Visual Effects 1996: INDEPENDENCE DAY (w. Douglas Smith, Clay Pinney & Joseph Viskocil) 1 nomination, 1 Award