Kai W.-Freelance C++/Embedded Consultant — Computer Vision, Embedded ML & Build Systems

As a freelance software consultant based in Wiesbaden, I bring 17+ years of experience in software development, including 8+ years as a self-employed freelancer. My professional focus lies at the intersection of Computer Vision, Embedded Systems, Machine Learning and build systems — exactly where many industrial and tech companies today need specialist knowledge that is rarely available in permanent staff pools.

I studied Computer Science (M.Sc., Hochschule RheinMain, grade 1,7) with a focus on 3D reconstruction and began my career as a research assistant in the field of Computer Vision. After positions at MAS Software and MVTec Software (HALCON development), I have been self-employed since 2018. During this time, I have completed projects for renowned clients such as SICK AG (4+ years), pmdtechnologies (2 years), Continental, Robert Bosch, Vector Informatik, Schwarz IT, Deutz and CASCINATION — many of them with contract extensions, which is a better indication of the quality of my work than any self-description.

TECHNICAL FOCUS AREAS

• Computer Vision & Image Processing: Classical CV (OpenCV, HALCON, Eigen), 3D reconstruction (Voxel-Carving, Structured Light, Time-of-Flight, Stereo), camera calibration, active alignment for ADAS camera systems. High-performance pipelines using SIMD (SSE, NEON), CUDA and Halide.

• Embedded Systems: Development on 8-bit MCUs (ATMega, ATMega4808), 32-bit Cortex-M (STM32) and ESP32 (ESP-IDF, FreeRTOS). Communication protocols I2C, SPI, UART, BLE, CAN. Hardware bring-up and debugging via JTAG.

• Machine Learning & Edge AI: PyTorch, TensorFlow, ONNX for classical deep learning pipelines (CNN, classification). On the edge: TinyML implementations, INT8 quantization and alternative architectures such as Reservoir Computing for resource-constrained 8-bit MCUs.

• Build Systems & DevOps: CMake (author of the book "Effective CMake"), Conan, Bazel, Yocto, Docker, Kubernetes. Migration and optimization projects, including for Vector Informatik (MICROSAR Classic), CASCINATION (Conan introduction) and AUVESY (cross-compilation, LLM-based development with Devin.AI).

• CI/CD Pipelines: Jenkins, GitLab CI, Azure DevOps. In particular, complex heterogeneous build and test workflows with cross-compilation, multiple target platforms and compliance reporting.

INDUSTRY EXPERIENCE

• Industrial Vision / Mechanical Engineering (focus): SICK AG, pmdtechnologies, Schwarz IT, Deutz, AUVESY, Instrument Systems, MVTec, coreweb. Typical topics: 3D camera software, deep learning classification, software architecture and performance optimization.

• Medical Technology: biobedded systems (ongoing), CASCINATION, MITOS, OpenDialog, BioDataAnalysis. Development according to IEC 62304 and ISO 13485, both on the embedded and desktop sides.

• Automotive: Vector Informatik (MICROSAR Classic), Robert Bosch (ADAS active alignment), Continental (autonomous driving, sensor fusion), Continental Teves. Experience in the context of ISO 26262, MISRA and AUTOSAR Classic.

• Laboratory Automation: HiTec Zang (Yocto-based embedded system, custom distributions, CI/CD).

• Mobile / Consumer: StarterStopper (ongoing, electronic immobilizer with Reservoir Computing classifier), HearingAI Limited UK, Chatable AI, AGT Group (AR/VR ML SDK).

CURRENT HIGHLIGHT PROJECTS

• biobedded systems GmbH (Medical Technology, 10/2025–04/2026): Embedded software development for EMS safety boards. Development according to IEC 62304 / ISO 13485, bring-up and debugging via JTAG/UART.

• StarterStopper Pty Ltd (Automotive/Consumer, 04/2024–06/2026, 2+ years): Development of an electronic immobilizer based on ATMega4808 and ESP32. Implementation of a compact Reservoir Computing model (30–50 neurons, INT8) for classifying motion events based on the BMI323 IMU. Own data collection, training and deployment on an 8-bit MCU.

• SICK AG (Industrial Vision, 03/2021–12/2025, 4+ years): Optimization of the software architecture for ToF 3D cameras, driver development, 3D reconstruction, performance optimization in heterogeneous pipelines.

• Schwarz IT KG (Industrial Vision, 10/2024–06/2025): Deep learning framework for food classification with feedback mechanism for metrics (PyTorch, HALCON, ONNX, CUDA, Kubernetes).

• Vector Informatik GmbH (Automotive, 11/2023–06/2024): Consulting and optimization of build process tooling for MICROSAR Classic in the AUTOSAR / ISO-26262 / MISRA environment.

STANDARDS & COMPLIANCE

In medical technology and automotive projects, I have developed according to the relevant standards: IEC 62304 (medical software), ISO 13485 (quality management for medical devices), ISO 26262 (automotive functional safety), MISRA C/C++ (safe programming) and AUTOSAR Classic. Even without personal certification in these standards, I know the process requirements from several years of practical experience and work seamlessly in certified development teams.

I am also an iSAQB Certified Professional for Software Architecture (Foundation Level, 2017) and HALCON Expert (certificate MVTec Software GmbH, 2016).

KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER & COMMUNITY

Sharing knowledge is an integral part of my work:

• Author of the book "Effective CMake" (leanpub.com/effective-cmake), a practical guide to CMake in heterogeneous projects.
• Talks including at C++ User Group Frankfurt (2024: "Old tricks, new code"), C++ User Group Karlsruhe (2021: "Signal Processing and ML Inference on the Edge"), ConanDays Madrid (2020: "Dependency Management with CMake and Conan") and Microsoft Munich (2017: "Effective Dependency Management with CMake").
• Mentoring and training in C++, Python and Machine Learning for my clients' teams.

WORKING STYLE

• Independent, solution-oriented work — both as a solo consultant and in cross-functional teams.
• Clear technical communication in German and English.
• Pragmatic approach: Keep it simple, while remaining technically sound and maintainable over the long term.
• Building knowledge within the client's team so that the solution can continue to be developed internally after the project ends — this is more important to me than short-term dependencies.
• Experience with hybrid working models: fully remote as well as hybrid, with occasional on-site presence for workshops, bring-up phases or kick-offs.

AVAILABILITY

I am based in Wiesbaden (Rhine-Main region). I work primarily remotely and am also available on-site when needed. As a standard, I take on projects with 80–100% capacity; smaller engagements alongside ongoing projects are possible depending on the subject area.

LANGUAGES

• German — native speaker
• English — business fluent (C1/C2), active project experience with clients from the UK, Australia and India

A few notes:

• I deliberately did not name-drop StarterStopper as "Automotive" if you want to keep it more in the Consumer bucket — let me know and I'll swap.
• I included the "contract extensions" line as a soft credibility signal — drop it if it feels too sales-y for fratch's tone.
• If fratch strips line breaks within paragraphs, the bullet sections may flatten. If that happens, paste it once and check rendering, then swap bullets for inline lists.