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Michael Heide-Senior Frontend Engineer · Frontend Tech Lead · Lead UI Engineer

Michael Heide - Senior Frontend Engineer · Frontend Tech Lead · Lead UI Engineer - profile avatar
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Available
Kelsterbach, Germany

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Experience

Mar 2025 - Present
Cologne, Germany

Frontend Developer

RTL Tech

Position summary
Frontend Developer at RTL Tech
Industries
Media and Entertainment
Business areas
Information Technology
Product Development
Project Management
  • Development and optimization of the RTL+ frontend application for SmartTV and set-top box platforms with React and Next.js.
  • Key role in the technical coordination of developers within the team and in coordinating implementation.
  • Central interface to adjacent teams to simplify development processes and improve cross-team alignment.
  • Improved frontend performance, stability, and rendering behavior on low-powered devices in a restricted runtime environment.
  • Implemented a frontend testing strategy with Jest, React Testing Library, and Playwright.
  • Implemented accessibility improvements according to WCAG 2.2 and WAI-ARIA.
  • Integrated Didomi Consent Management as a contribution to increasing ad monetization on streaming platforms.
  • Used AI-supported engineering workflows with Cursor for structured implementation, refactoring, and faster problem solving.

Technologies used: React, Next.js, TypeScript, JavaScript, GraphQL, Apollo Gateway, Zustand, Tailwind CSS, Styled Components, React Testing Library, Playwright, Jest, HTML5, CSS3, AWS Lambda, EC2, CloudFront, S3, GitLab CI/CD, NX, Cursor

Jan 2025 - Jan 2026
Wiesbaden, Germany

Full-Stack Developer | AI Context Engineer

Diddi Smart GmbH

Position summary
Full-Stack Developer | AI Context Engineer at Diddi Smart GmbH
Industries
Healthcare
Information Technology
Business areas
Information Technology
Product Development
  • Sole developer responsible for a diabetes-focused food-tracking platform across frontend, mobile, backend, and deployment.
  • Responsible for the frontend implementation of a responsive Next.js admin dashboard for internal users and healthcare-related workflows.
  • Development of cross-platform mobile applications with React Native and Expo for iOS and Android.
  • Design and implementation of a GitHub Actions pipeline based on the Claude Code SDK for automated code reviews and morning AI-supported refactorings to continuously improve the codebase.
  • Built the solution with an AI-first approach, including orchestration of AI agents and the structured use of Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, and Augment Code.
  • Evaluated AI delivery methods such as BMAD and Spec Kit to improve specification quality, context handover, and structured implementation workflows.
  • Used frontend architecture, reusable UI patterns, and AI-supported engineering workflows to speed up delivery and ensure code quality.
  • Coordinated between product, architecture, and delivery while taking end-to-end responsibility for the solution.

Technologies used: React, Next.js, TypeScript, React Native, Expo, Tailwind CSS, JavaScript, OpenAPI, Docker, AWS Elastic Beanstalk, Vercel, Git, GitHub Actions, CI/CD, Claude Code, Cursor, Codex, Augment Code

Oct 2023 - Oct 2024
Wiesbaden, Germany

External Lecturer (Web Engineering)

Hochschule RheinMain

Position summary
External Lecturer (Web Engineering) at Hochschule RheinMain
Industries
Education
Information Technology
Business areas
Information Technology
  • Designed and delivered a Web Engineering curriculum with a focus on modern frontend development.
  • Taught React, Next.js, TypeScript, frontend architecture, testing, build tooling, performance, and modern development workflows.
  • Practical training of students in frontend engineering patterns from real production environments.

Technologies used: React, Next.js, TypeScript, JavaScript, Webpack, Vite, esbuild, React Testing Library, Playwright, Jest, Vitest, HTML5, CSS3, Core Web Vitals, npm, Git

Oct 2022 - Jan 2025
Wiesbaden, Germany

Software Developer, Architect and Team Lead

AOE GmbH

Position summary
Software Developer, Architect and Team Lead at AOE GmbH
Industries
Information Technology
Business areas
Information Technology
Product Development
Project Management
Quality Assurance
  • Led cross-functional frontend and product engineering teams of up to 13 developers in Scrum and SAFe environments.
  • Responsible for frontend architecture decisions for scalable React and Next.js platforms, including white-label solutions and reusable UI systems.
  • Built reusable component libraries and design system-oriented foundations to improve delivery speed and frontend consistency.
  • Responsible for rebuilding the platform architecture by introducing a monorepo, shared libraries, and code ownership to create clearer responsibility boundaries and increase team productivity.
  • Established frontend engineering standards for code reviews, clean code, TDD, test strategy, and delivery quality.
  • Hired 4 to 5 developers during this period; management consistently rated the quality and team fit of the hires very positively.
  • Mentored a junior developer who was able to grow into a higher professional role through structured guidance and technical coaching.
  • Built transparent and direct client communication, which improved the client relationship and made follow-up work on additional projects possible.

Technologies used: React, Next.js, TypeScript, JavaScript, Redux, Jotai, Recoil, Tailwind CSS, Panda CSS, Styled Components, GraphQL, Apollo Gateway, React Testing Library, Playwright, Jest, Vitest, Storybook, Storyblok, Auth0, NX, Turborepo, Docker, AWS, GitLab CI/CD, Jira, Confluence, Figma

Oct 2020 - Jul 2022
Mainz, Germany

Full-Stack Developer

AppComp GmbH

Position summary
Full-Stack Developer at AppComp GmbH
Industries
Information Technology
Business areas
Information Technology
Product Development
Quality Assurance
  • Helped modernize a legacy ERP platform into a cloud-ready product architecture.
  • Implemented frontend applications with React and React Native for web and mobile use cases.
  • Worked closely with backend teams and stakeholders to align frontend requirements with business goals.
  • Introduced frontend-focused test automation and delivery workflows together with CI/CD pipelines.

Technologies used: React, React Native, TypeScript, Next.js, JavaScript, Spring Boot, Kotlin, GraphQL, REST APIs, Docker, Jenkins, GitLab CI/CD, MSSQL, Oracle, Git

Sep 2019 - Mar 2020
Mainz, Germany

Full-Stack Developer (Internship)

Axenton GmbH

Position summary
Full-Stack Developer (Internship) at Axenton GmbH
Industries
Information Technology
Business areas
Human Resources
Information Technology
Product Development
Quality Assurance
  • Built a GDPR-compliant applicant management portal from scratch.
  • Developed a reusable UI component library for a consistent frontend implementation.
  • Implemented unit, integration, and end-to-end tests for stable frontend delivery.

Technologies used: React, TypeScript, JavaScript, Spring Boot, GraphQL, Cypress, Jest, SonarQube, Azure Cloud, Docker, Jenkins

Nov 2016 - Apr 2019
Wiesbaden, Germany

Co-Founder and Full-Stack Developer

kollektiv.digital

Position summary
Co-Founder and Full-Stack Developer at kollektiv.digital
Industries
Professional Services
Business areas
Information Technology
Product Development
Project Management
  • Co-founded and scaled a digital agency focused on custom software and digital product development.
  • Delivered more than 10 client projects across different industries with a strong focus on frontend implementation and web experiences.
  • Responsible for project scoping, technical implementation, architecture decisions, and client communication.

Technologies used: React, Angular, JavaScript, TypeScript, HTML5, CSS3, WordPress, Node.js, Spring Boot, GitLab, Python

Oct 2015 - Jan 2018
Wiesbaden, Germany

Self-employed (Online Marketing and SEO)

Self-employed

Position summary
Self-employed (Online Marketing and SEO) at Self-employed
Industries
Professional Services
Business areas
Information Technology
Marketing
  • Built and monetized affiliate websites with a focus on conversion-oriented web experiences.
  • Carried out SEO optimizations and website improvement projects for local SME clients.

Technologies used: WordPress, HTML, CSS, SEO, Google Analytics, Google Search Console

Industry experience

See where this freelancer has spent most of their professional time.

Experienced in Information Technology, Professional Services, Media and Entertainment, Healthcare, and Education.

Information Technology
Professional Services
Media and Entertainment
Healthcare
Education
Profile match chart

Business area experience

See which departments and functions this freelancer has contributed to most.

Experienced in Information Technology, Product Development, Project Management, Quality Assurance, Marketing, and Human Resources.

Information Technology
Product Development
Project Management
Quality Assurance
Marketing
Human Resources
Profile match chart

Summary

Senior Frontend Engineer and Frontend Tech Lead with more than 8 years of experience building high-performance React, Next.js, and TypeScript applications for web, mobile, SmartTV, and set-top box platforms. Focus on frontend architecture, design systems, accessibility (WCAG 2.2 / WAI-ARIA), performance optimization for low-powered devices, and frontend quality engineering with unit, integration, and end-to-end tests. Certified software architect (iSAQB CPSA-FL) with practical experience in leadership, recruiting, mentoring, and direct client communication.

Skills

  • Frontend

  • React

  • Next.Js

  • Typescript

  • React Native

  • Javascript

  • Redux

  • Tailwind Css

  • Styled Components

  • Panda Css

  • Storybook

  • Html5

  • Css3

  • Figma

  • Performance & Accessibility

  • Smarttv Optimization

  • Core Web Vitals

  • Wcag 2.2

  • Wai-Aria

  • Design Systems

  • Reusable Component Libraries

  • Monorepo Architecture

  • Nx

  • Turborepo

  • Testing & Quality

  • Playwright

  • React Testing Library

  • Jest

  • Vitest

  • Cypress

  • Unit Testing

  • Integration Testing

  • End-To-End Testing

  • Tdd

  • Sonarqube

  • Tools & Delivery

  • Git

  • Github

  • Webpack

  • Vite

  • Esbuild

  • Docker

  • Gitlab Ci/Cd

  • Github Actions

  • Jira

  • Confluence

  • Npm

  • Claude Code

  • Cursor

  • Codex

Languages

German
Native
English
Advanced

Education

Oct 2016 - Mar 2021

Hochschule RheinMain

B.Sc. Media Informatics · Media Informatics · Wiesbaden, Germany · 2.0

Certifications & licenses

Statistics

Experience

Total positions 8
Experience in Information Technology 5.5 y
Avg length 1 y 7 m
Longest experience 2 y 5 m

Global experience

Countries worked in 1 (Germany)
Primary country Germany

Expertise

Recent roles Frontend Developer, Full-Stack Developer | AI Context Engineer, External Lecturer (Web Engineering)
Main industries Information Technology, Professional Services, Media and Entertainment
Main business areas Information Technology, Product Development, Project Management

Qualifications

Highest degree Bachelor
Certifications earned 1

Profile

Member since
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Frequently asked questions

Have questions? Find more information here.

Michael is based in Kelsterbach, Germany and can operate in on-site, hybrid, and remote work models.

Michael speaks the following languages: German (Native), English (Advanced).

Michael has at least 10 years of experience. During this time, Michael has worked in at least 8 different roles and for 8 different companies. The average length of individual experience is 1 year and 3 months. Note that Michael may not have shared all experience and actually has more experience.

Based on recent experience, Michael would be well-suited for roles such as: Frontend Developer, Full-Stack Developer | AI Context Engineer, External Lecturer (Web Engineering).

Michael's most recent position is Frontend Developer at RTL Tech.

In recent years, Michael has worked for RTL Tech, Diddi Smart GmbH, Hochschule RheinMain, AOE GmbH, and AppComp GmbH.

Michael is most experienced in industries like Information Technology, Professional Services, and Media and Entertainment. Michael also has some experience in Healthcare and Education.

Michael is most experienced in business areas like Information Technology, Product Development, and Project Management. Michael also has some experience in Quality Assurance, Marketing, and Human Resources.

Michael has recently worked in industries like Information Technology, Media and Entertainment, and Healthcare.

Michael has recently worked in business areas like Information Technology, Product Development, and Quality Assurance.

Michael holds a Bachelor in Media Informatics from Hochschule RheinMain.

Michael has 1 certificate: iSAQB CPSA-FL (Certified Professional for Software Architecture).

Michael is immediately available part-time for suitable projects.

Daily rate distribution

0 2 4 6 8
<€960 €960-​1120 €1120-​1280 €1280-​1440 €1760+

The rates shown represent the typical market range for freelancers in this position based on recent contracts on our platform.

Average rates for similar positions

Rates are based on recent contracts and do not include FRATCH margin.

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Daily rate avg. 983 €

The average daily rate is the mean of all daily rates from recent contracts of comparable freelancers on our platform.

1000
750
500
250
Rate comparison chart
Median rate 932 €

The median daily rate is the middle value of all daily rates — half of comparable freelancers charge less, half charge more. Unlike the average, it is barely affected by outliers.

Calculated based on our freelancers’ daily rates as of 4 Sep 2026. Actual rates may vary depending on seniority level, experience, skill specialization, project complexity, and engagement length.