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

As a freelance software consultant based in Wiesbaden, I bring over 17 years of experience in software development, including more than 8 years as an independent freelancer. My technical focus lies at the intersection of computer vision, embedded systems, machine learning, and build systems — exactly where many industrial and tech companies today need specialized expertise that is rarely available in the full-time employee pool.

I studied Computer Science (M.Sc., Hochschule RheinMain, grade 1.7) with a focus on 3D reconstruction and started 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 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 speaks for the quality of my work better than any self-description.

TECHNICAL FOCUS

• Computer Vision & Image Processing: Classical CV (OpenCV, HALCON, custom), 3D reconstruction (voxel carving, structured light, time-of-flight, stereo), camera calibration, active alignment for ADAS camera systems. High-performance pipelines on 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). At the edge: TinyML implementations, INT8 quantization, and alternative architectures like 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, among others 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. Especially complex heterogeneous build and test workflows with cross-compilation, multiple target platforms, and compliance reporting.

INDUSTRY EXPERIENCE

• Industrial Vision / Mechanical Engineering (main 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 (current), CASCINATION, MITOS, OpenDialog, BioDataAnalysis. Development according to IEC 62304 and ISO 13485, both on 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.

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

• Mobile / Consumer: StarterStopper (current, 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 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 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 the build process tooling for MICROSAR Classic in an 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 (medical device quality management), ISO 26262 (functional safety automotive), MISRA C/C++ (safe programming), and AUTOSAR Classic. Even without personal certification, I know the process requirements from years of practice and work seamlessly in certified development teams.

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

KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER & COMMUNITY

Knowledge sharing 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 at, among others, 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 teams of my clients.

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, clean from a technical standpoint, and maintainable in the long term.
• Building knowledge within the client team so that the solution can be further developed in-house after the project ends — this is more important to me than short-term dependencies.
• Experience in hybrid work models: fully remote as well as hybrid with occasional on-site presence for workshops, bring-up phases or kick-offs.

AVAILABILITY

I live in Wiesbaden (Rhine-Main area). I mainly work remotely and am available on site when needed. I generally take on projects at 80–100% capacity; smaller mandates alongside ongoing engagements are possible depending on the field.

LANGUAGES

• German — native
• 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.